Altitude sickness, also known as mountain sickness or Acute Mountain Sickness, is a condition that occurs when a person ascends to very high altitudes too quickly. This happens because oxygen becomes thinner at higher altitudes, making breathing very difficult.
It doesn’t matter how fit you are or what age you may be; you are most likely to encounter altitude sickness while trekking Mount Kilimanjaro. This can become a medical emergency if the symptoms are ignored. Having no record of experiencing mountain sickness at high altitudes doesn’t rule out the fact that you are still prone to getting it another day.
Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the easiest seven summits to hike in the world, but the biggest challenge of reaching Africa’s rooftop and limits many trekkers is altitude sickness. Symptoms are most likely to start showing after ascending to altitudes of over 2,500 meters above sea level. About 75% of trekkers in Mount Kilimanjaro experience mild symptoms of altitude sickness while trekking.
The number of oxygen molecules you take in per breath reduces at higher altitudes, and the quicker you ascend, the harder it becomes for your body to acclimatize to changing altitudes. That is why you should climb steadily and slowly.
All trekkers on the mountain must watch out for symptoms of mountain sickness and immediately inform their guide so that they can make the right decision about whether you should continue with the trek or descend. Some of the symptoms include dizziness, headaches, insomnia, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle aches, loss of appetite, and tiredness. Symptoms of altitude sickness worsen during the night.
Altitude sickness symptoms can go from mild to severe, and this can become very fatal. Symptoms of severe sickness include confusion, chest congestion, extreme fatigue, ataxia, skin discoloration, social withdrawal, and shortness of breath, even while resting.
If severe altitude sickness is not treated, it can lead to High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) or High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE). HACE leads to the swelling of the brain due to the lack of oxygen, and HAPE leads to a buildup of fluid in the lungs. These conditions develop if mild symptoms are not treated and are ignored. Trekkers must descend the mountain as quickly as possible as soon as mild symptoms turn severe.
The chances of getting altitude sickness increase as you ascend Mount Kilimanjaro daily. Your body’s adjustment and the speed at which you’re ascending play a crucial role. While altitude sickness cannot be totally avoided, trekkers can take some measures to slightly reduce the risk of getting sick and prevent it from worsening.
Altitude sickness can be dealt with if you take action as soon as you notice mild symptoms early. Most travelers who experience mild symptoms continue with the hike, but when the symptoms get severe, the only option is to descend as quickly as possible before you can’t walk anymore. In cases where a trekker can’t walk anymore, some guides will use a stretcher to descend you safely. In extreme cases where the condition is fatal, you will be airlifted, but only if you’re insured, as aircrafts unfortunately can’t land on some parts of the mountain.
There are some medicines like acetazolamide that can help reduce the symptoms of altitude sickness. You can visit your doctor before climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for a check-up to see if your body is able to handle the climb. People with a history of certain diseases like respiratory and heart issues had better not climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
One of the best ways to make your body accustomed to acclimatization is by doing an acclimatization hike at Mount Meru before climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Mount Meru is located just 70 kilometers away from Mount Kilimanjaro.
Another way to reduce the risk of altitude sickness is by choosing the right route for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. The main cause of altitude sickness is ascending to higher elevations too quickly. This can be avoided by slowly ascending to the summit using routes that take longer days than shorter routes. This gives your body time to adjust to changing altitude each day.
Trekkers need to get enough rest as much as possible and also make sure to stay hydrated frequently to mitigate the symptoms of mild altitude sickness. Aim to consume about 4 to 5 liters of water each day while trekking.
In cases of severe altitude sickness, the only treatment is to descend as quickly as possible to an altitude at least 600 meters lower. Oxygen canisters may also be needed at this point. If the victim is unable to walk, a guide and porters will use a stretcher to carry the trekker down the mountain.
In conclusion, all climbers on Mount Kilimanjaro are prone to getting mountain sickness as soon as they go above 2,500 altitudes. Every climber acclimatizes differently, but most experienced guides are able to detect mild and severe symptoms of mountain sickness.
