kilimanjaro altitude sickness
Hike The Most Scenic Route To The Summit Of Africa's Highest Peak.
How It Happens:
The main cause of Mount Kilimanjaro Altitude Sickness is ascending to a great height too rapidly. Climbing too high and staying there for too long may also cause it. The person has to breathe faster to compensate for the oxygen shortfall at a higher altitude. The human body needs to adapt to the lower air pressure and decreased levels of oxygen. A slower climb is needed for proper Kilimanjaro Acclimatization.
How to Prevent Altitude Sickness:
The important question now arises is - How to Avoid Altitude Sickness Kilimanjaro? We have articulated these basics to prevent you from Kilimanjaro Altitude Sickness:
- Prepare Before Ascend: Acclimatization of Kilimanjaro is highly recommended. Avoid drinking alcohol, taking stimulants, smoking, or consuming caffeine on the mountain.
- Use of Diamox: Acetazolamide or Diamox is a Kilimanjaro Altitude Sickness Medication that has proved in preventing this condition. The drug helps to improve the acidity of the blood by acting as a diuretic and promoting urination. It is also recommended that taking Diamox 2-3 days 2 weeks before departure to check if you suffer any side effects.
How does lack of oxygen lead to Altitude sickness:
The low oxygen concentration can trigger the blood vessels in the lungs to constrict which may cause higher pressure in the lung arteries. This may also lead to fluid leakage in the blood vessels which directly go to the lungs.
With Kilimanjaro Trek’s Altitude Sickness Guide for Kilimanjaro Climbs this can be avoided. We guide our clients well in advance and trained professional trekkers accompany them to the summit and take care of their health conditions constantly and lift their spirits while summiting the great Kilimanjaro
There is however other health conditions like Yellow Fever and Malaria which affects some climbers on the summit. But our trained health care professionals are equipped to handle these situations.
So what are you waiting for? Give Kilimanjaro Treks, a chance to plan a trip of your lifetime to Kilimanjaro!
Kilimanjaro Altitude Sickness which is also called Acute Mountain Sickness Kilimanjaro and is Physical distress from difficulty in adjusting to the lower oxygen at higher altitude levels. Mount Kilimanjaro Acclimatization occurs after arrival at a higher elevation and includes symptoms like headache, shortness of breath, nausea, and inability to exercise.
The main cause of Kilimanjaro Altitude Sickness would be shorter itineraries, as this will not allow you for proper acclimatization and make you feel uncomfortable to intake oxygen. Kilimanjaro Treks has been recognized as the Best Kilimanjaro Operator which will give you extra time for proper acclimatization.
For those with pre-existing health conditions, please consult your doctor before planning your trip. There are many things that you can do to avoid the symptoms of acute mountain sickness while Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
Symptoms Of Altitude Sickness:
People have different symptoms to Kilimanjaro Altitude Sickness, they include:
- Difficulty sleeping.
- Dizziness or light-headedness.
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Loss of appetite.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Rapid pulse (heart rate)
- Shortness of breath with exertion
FAQ’s
1. Who should not take Diamox?
Diamox is a prescription medicine and it is not recommended to take Diamox without consulting a doctor. It is a Health Precaution and it should not be if you are allergic to sulfa drugs. Diamox is not approved to use by anyone who is below 18 years of age.
2. What are the side effects of Diamox?
The major side effects associated with Diamox are:
- Taste alterations
- Nausea, Vomiting, and diarrhea
- Frequent Urination
- Numbness and tingling in toes, fingers, and face
3. How long does Altitude sickness last?
The Altitude sickness control may depend according to the level of sickness you are facing at the moment. The symptoms of Mild Kilimanjaro Altitude Sickness may reduce quickly as soon as you reach a lower altitude. The moderate Altitude sickness will improve in 24 hours at an elevation of at least 1,000 to 2,000 feet lower and the symptoms go completely within 3 days. The Severe altitude sickness will continue for more time.
4. Does drinking water help Altitude sickness?
Yes, staying hydrated will definitely help to prevent altitude sickness. Kilimanjaro Treks has well-planned Altitude Training for Kilimanjaro our clients you are planning to trek this summit. We advise them to always stay hydrated for maximum summit success rate.
5. At what height do you get altitude sickness?
Altitude sickness may occur above 2,500 meters. However, some are affected at lower altitudes also. The best option is to sleep in the lower elevations to get your body adjusted to the altitude and later you can continue climbing Kilimanjaro.
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We did a two weeks tour in Tanzania with safari and other activities like hikes, beach, boat trips...
We had planned the trip in advance with Gecko Adventure to find our personal best route and accommodations. They were very prompt, kompetent and helpful. We got the tour for a very fair price.
Our guide and driver Rama picked us up in Dar es Salaam and drove us all the way to Kilimanjaro. He did a great job, did everything to make us happy. He knows a lot about the animal and how to find them.
It was a wonderful experience with many highlights. The accommodations were very good, each with its special, personal flair and excellent food. The staff was extremely nice.
Gecko Adventure also organized a PCR test for us. We got the result exactly as planned.
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We can also only recommend Gecko Adventure. If we come back to Tanzania, we will book with them again.
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Jan 2021
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Our first clue that something was amiss was when we tried to find the office that Rama claims to have. He told us specially what building his office was in (it’s also marked on Google maps in this prestigious location). The office does not exist.
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Dec 2020
Very professional from start till the end!
All was planned and structured as we wanted it. We were part of the process from the start and they were also able to adapt to our wishes along the way.
The safari driver was excellent with huge knowledge about nature and animals and you could clearly feel his passion for the work he is doing and his respect towards the animals and nature.
This was not my first time on safari, but definitely one of the best ones
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Oct 2020
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I don't have enough words to say how wonderful it was. Rama was incredible, quick with answers and willing to please our wishes. Our guide, called Rama too, was very pleasant, we learned a lot with him and we could really see that he made his best for us.
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Oct 2020
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I couldn't be happier that we chose Kilimanjaro Trek for our safari, and highly recommend it!
Daniel Miller
Mar 2019
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