Personal health on kilimanjaro
Medical advice and tips on acclimatization to altitude
The most important thing in a successful summit of Kilimanjaro mountain is the efforts made by climber in acclimatizing to altitude. All climbers will feel the effects of altitude to some degree and many will experience a mild form of altitude sickness but the more severe forms of altitude sickness can be debilitating and even life -threatening if not treated immediately. The following are suggestions as to how the clients can speed up the acclimatization process and increase their chances of a more enjoyable and successful climb
Drink lots; Rehydration is an important way of flushing out toxins from system and ensuring that all bodily functions and circulation are improved. We recommend drinking at least 3 to 4 liters per day.
Include rest days; every extra night spent route to the summit is a worthwhile addition and helps acclimatization.
Walk high sleep low; wherever possible, it is recommended that client try to use any spare time in camps to walk to a point higher than that at which they would sleep. Their body will then acclimatize to an altitude with lesser oxygen and thus suffer less when they sleep.
Walk slowly; every extra minute spent on the trail is a worthwhile method of including the body to acclimatize and it is the perfect way to take in the views and scenery of kilimanjaro.
The question of whether to take diamox is one that we leave to the client. In all cases, we suggest that the client consult their local doctor for further information and advice.
The principal concern for many client interested in climbing kilimanjaro is whether the hygiene is of sufficient standard for them to climb without fear of contracting a stomach disorder or illness. With this in mind, we offer the following information
At all mealtimes, a water and dettol solution will be available for clients to thoroughly wash their hands before eating. All vegetables and salads are prepared according to the boil it, peel it, disinfectant it or throw it methods.
We strongly recommend that our client bring a plentiful supply of antiseptic wipes for washing hands.
All water must be boiled, bottled or treated with an iodine-based solution
The sun is particularly harsh on Kilimanjaro, a result of both the equatorial position and the altitude, and can have detrimental effects on those who climb without sun-cream, hats or sun block.
For those who need the mobile toilet to escape the traffic within toilet banda located at the camp and sometimes on the trail, we provide from the office with extra charge because it needs special man who will take care for it.
2. Preparing for your climb
All physical condition disorders should be mentioned on the client profile sheet and made known to the trail guide to allow guide to handle the client with necessary particular care pertaining to each individual health constraint. Any climber who suffers from any cardiac or pulmonary problems should be cautious and should not attempt to climb the mountain unless they have consulted their physician. It is strongly recommended that a physical fitness program is followed to prepare you physically for the mountain and a physician is consulted prior to booking of a Kilimanjaro climb.
This training program is designed to strengthen the most important muscle groups for trekking up hill. Much of effort in climbing a high-altitude peak such as Kilimanjaro requires strong legs and most importantly, a strong heart. Thus, the best exercise for this kind of venture is to indulge in light to medium aerobic exercise, with minimum impact stress on joints, in other words, walking and trekking. A series of walks and treks that lengthen in duration, and where possible; altitude is as effective a form of preparation as there is. A client should be carrying a light load of around 5-6kg in order to prepare themselves for carrying their day sac, and should stagger the length of each trek in order to slowly build up their endurance.
3. Health, safety and fitness on Kilimanjaro
This is intended for the use of our company clients as an explanation of the possible health risks that faces climbers going to altitude for the first time. It is by no means an exhaustive account, however, by the way of introduction; it should act as a guide when informing clients of what they must prepare themselves for.
4. Acute mountain sickness (ams)
High altitude-we all enjoy that tremendous view from a high summit, but there are risks in going to high altitude, and it’s important to understand these risks. Here is a classic scenario for developing a high altitude illness. You fly from where you are to Kilimanjaro (1500m) the next day you drive to the get 1800m. You hike up to the first camp at 2700m. Then next day you hike up to 3500m. You begin to have severe headache and feel nauseous and weak. If your condition worsens, you begin to have difficulty hiking. Scenarios like this are not uncommon, so it’s essential to understand the physiological effects of high altitude.
5. What is high altitude
Altitude is defined on the following scale high (2438-3658m), very high(3758-5487m) and extremely high (above 5500m). Since few people have been to such altitudes, it is hard to know who may be affected. There are no specific factors such as age, sex, or physical condition that correlate with susceptibility to altitude sickness. Some people develop it and some people don’t, and some are more susceptible than others. Most people can go up to 2438m with minimal effect. If you haven’t been to high altitude before, it’s important to be cautious. If you have been at that altitude before with no problem, you can probably return to that altitude without problems as long as you are properly acclimatized.
6. What causes altitude illness?
The concentration of oxygen at sea level is about 21% and the barometric pressure averages 760mmhg. As altitude increase, the concentration remains the same but the number of oxygen molecule per breath is reduced. At 3658m the barometric pressure is only 483mmhg, so there are roughly 40% fewer oxygen molecules per breath. In order to properly oxygenate the body, your breathing rate (even while at rest) has to increase. This extra ventilation increases the oxygen content in the blood, but not to sea level concentrations. Since the amount of oxygen required for activity is the same, the body must adjust to having less oxygen. In addition, for reasons not entirely understood, high altitude and lower air pressure causes fluid to leak from the capillaries which can cause fluid build-up in both the lungs and brain. Continuing to high altitudes without proper acclimatization can lead to potentially serious, even life-threatening illness.
7. Prevention of altitudes illness
Prevention of altitudes illnesses falls into two categories, proper acclimatization and preventive medications. The following are few basic guidelines for proper acclimatization;
If possible don’t fly or drive to high altitude. Start below 3048m and walk up.
If you do fly or drive, don’t over exert yourself or move higher for the first 24hrs.
Climb high sleep low, this is the maxim used by climbers. You can climb more than 300m in a day as long as you come back down and sleep at lower altitude the take a rest.
If symptoms increase go down, down, down!
Stay properly hydrated.
Eat a high carbohydrate diet.
The acclimatization process is inhibited by dehydration, over-exertion, alcohol and other depressant drugs.
Preventive medications
Diamox /dexamethasone are all recommended but make sure you get some basic instructions from your doctor before using. In all situations our guides are thought the following rules of thumb; it is ok to get altitudes illnes. It is not ok to die from it. Ant illnes at altitude is altidude illnes until proven otherwise never ascend with symptoms of ams. If you’re getting worse, go down at once. The only way for someone who requires oxygen is down the hill as fast as possibl
All guides from our company have been trained to recognize all of the symptoms of altitude mountain sickness. Furthermore, all climbs are outfitted with portable oxygen tank (sufficient for two hours), multiple communication methods and other easiest emergence care alternatives.
