Overview

Acclimatization is the ability of our bodies to be able to adjust or adapt to the change of the climate or environment. Usually AMS sign and symptoms tend to appear from the height of 3,500m. but mostly from 5,000m.In Kilimanjaro we acclimatize for oxygen, and the oxygen saturation found on top of Kili is equal to the half of oxygen saturation found in sea level. If a person hasn`t acclimatized well in the altitude, he/she can get acute mountain sickness (AMS) symptoms. And if he/she keep on staying in the altitude with these symptoms, the symptoms can get worse and progress to either High altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) or High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE).These two Altitude sickness are life-threatening. And the only action to take at this stage is oxygen uses and immediately descent.

Normally, sign and symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) move in to stages, from Mild stage to Moderate stage and finally to Severe stage. Early signs of AMS are, headache goes along with nausea, poor vision, un-well feeling, weakness, difficulty sleeping and luck of appetite. If a climber has properly acclimatized and well rehydrated, he/she will be away from the risk of having AMS symptoms. Prevention is always better. It is recommended always to deal/treat symptoms when they are still in mild stage, and not allowing them to progress in the next stage.

Drinking enough water is very important. Blood needs a lot of fluid to be able to increase RBC production which carries oxygen and supply to different organs. We also lose much fluid in the altitude by breathing, sweating and urination. Drink 3-4 liters of just water per day(that excludes food staff like tea, porridge, soup, juice etc.).You need to rehydrate yourself enough, dehydration results in less acclimatization. Check the color of your pee,if it is colored, it shows that you are dehydrated, so drink much more water, until your urine is clear and transparent. It is recommended to drink a lot of water early and not a lot of water late, so that you won`t be out often in cold nights for pee.

Acclimatization hike,(climb high-sleep low) is very important, it is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude, done in order to speed up the Acclimatization process. You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. They help increase your chances of successfully Summiting Kilimanjaro and save you from the consequences of Altitude sickness.

Always walk slowly and slower along the steeps. Make sure you have a comfortable breathing as you walk, and deep-breathing will help to increase oxygen in your lungs and brain. Breathe in through the nose and breath out through either mouth or nose.

Eat more carbohydrate food than proteins. About 75% of your diet in Kilimanjaro should be out of carbohydrate. Carbohydrate food produce glucose, nd glucose produce energy in our bodies. Although loss of appetite in the altitude is normal, but always force yourself to eat enough, as you need energy as well.

• Do not gain much height per day – 300m to 700m. Vertical gain per day is recommended.
• Do not ascend further up until the symptom has disappeared.
• Descend for at least 500-1,000m. Until the symptom is gone.
• Avoid tough physical exercises in the altitudes.
• Always sleep or lay down at an angle. You need something soft like a pillow underneath your head.
• Keep yourself warm.
• Strong coffee drinking cause dehydration, and dehydration leads to less acclimatization.
• Smoking in the altitude is not good idea.
• Uses of sleeping pills in the altitude are not a good idea.
• Instead of Aspirin, better to take Paracetamol or Ibuprofen for headache.

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