Acclimatization on Kilimanjaro and Related Information

About Acclimatization:

It is a process in which an individual organism adjusts to a gradual change in its environment. So, while your climbing  Kilimanjaro your  body undergoes a process of trying to adapt the altitude  transformation.

So, physiologically, what happens during acclimatization is, as you ascend higher into the atmosphere, there is less atmospheric pressure pushing all the air molecule together, so oxygen molecules become few and far between.

What to do to acclimatize and prevent altitude sickness while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro:

Walk Slowly (pole pole): 

When you climb Kilimanjaro, you will hear the phrase ‘Pole, pole’. This means ‘slowly, slowly’ in Swahili. The best way for your body to adapt to altitude is to move really slowly. This allows the intelligent  body to adapt to the effects of altitude on Kilimanjaro. The higher you climb the higher the altitude and the harder it takes your body to cope up with its environment.

Hydration:

Drinking  allot helps and its renown to be one of the BEST method while dealing   with acclimatization. We recommend at least drinking 4-5 Liters of  water  a day while climbing Kilimanjaro. It is usually good to keep an eye on your urine; if it gets too dark, you need to drink more.

Climb high sleep low:

Another   practice  is “Climb high; sleep low.” What this means is that you   should do day hikes that gain significant altitude, s and then return  to sleep and recuperate at lower altitudes.

Avoid tobacco and alcohol and other depressant drugs including,  barbiturates, tranquilizers, and sleeping pills. These depressants further decrease the respiratory drive during sleep resulting in a   worsening of the symptoms.

Eat nutritious rich food:

Eat a high carbohydrate diet (more than 70% of your calories from carbohydrates) while at altitude

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In case you notice altitude symptoms. 

If you begin to show symptoms of moderate altitude illness, don’t  go higher until symptoms decrease. (in fact, you should go to a lower elevation until you feel better).

Preventive Medications:

Acetazolamide, or what is commonly sold under the trade name Diamox, allows you to    breathe faster so that you metabolize more oxygen, thereby  minimizing the symptoms caused by poor oxygenation. This is especially  helpful at night when respiratory drive is decreased. Since it takes a  while for Diamox to have an effect, it is advisable to start taking it at least 24 hours before you go to altitude and continue for at least  five days at higher altitude. While taking Diamox Possible side effects  may occur  and  they include tingling of the lips and fingertips,  blurring of vision,  and alteration of taste. The side effects subsides  when the drug is stopped.

We highly recommend contacting your physician for a prescription. Since Diamox is a sulfonamide drug, people who are allergic to sulfa drugs  should not take Diamox. Diamox has also been known to cause severe  allergic reactions  to people with no previous history of Diamox or sulfa allergies.

Dexamethasone (a  steroid) is a prescription drug that decreases brain and other swelling  reversing the effects of AMS. Dosage is typically 4 mg twice a day for a few days starting with the ascent. This prevents most  symptoms of  altitude illness.

Again, we highly recommend contacting your physician for prescription because  of possible serious side effects. Dexamethasone may be combined with Diamox. No other medications have been proven valuable for preventing AMS.