HOW TO RESPOND AND TREAT ACUTE MOUNTAIN SICKNESS ON KILIMANJARO

There are only two effective treatments for AMS during a climbing expedition on Kilimanjaro. The first is to ensure adequate time and rest periods for acclimatization. The second is to descend back to lower altitudes. Anything else only covers up the symptoms leaving you at risk of considerable discomfort, lasting after-effects or even death. Mild pain medications like Ibuprofen, Paracetamol may suppress headache, allowing you to tolerate mild AMS until you become better acclimatized, or until AMS increases to a level where pain killers are no longer effective and you have to give up your Tanzanian holiday dream of conquering Mount Kilimanjaro.

Diamox stimulates faster breathing, so that you obtain more oxygen, especially at night. To be effective, dosage must start 24 hours in advance of your Kilimanjaro holiday trek and continue for 5-6 days as you hike higher. The recommended dosage has been reduced from 250 grams morning and night to 125 grams, because of side effects including changes in taste, blurred vision and tingling lips and fingers, which all cease when the dose is stopped.

Since Diamox is a sulfa medication, sulfa sensitive people should not take it. It can cause severe allergic response in some non-sensitive users, so should always be tried well in advance to make sure you are not one of these. Diamox is also given to assist descent where this is necessary. Consult your doctor advice on what is best for you based on your medical history.

Acetazolamide can relieve Cheyne-Stokes intermittent breathing experienced when sleeping at altitude. The steroid Dexamethasone is sometimes prescribed by a doctor to decrease brain swelling associated with moderate AMS. At 2 mg twice daily, starting two days before the climb, this can also have severe side effects. If symptoms escalate to HAPE or HACE with swollen lung or brain tissue and fluid in the lungs, pressure retention masks can raise air pressure in the lungs during evacuation, or Gamow portable hyperbaric bags simulate descent and reset oxygen levels, so that the sufferer can safely be evacuated.

These items are not routinely carried, since they are awkward, time-consuming and unnecessary for Mt. Kilimanjaro, especially when descent is a relatively speedy option, but they can be provided at a premium, especially when staying at high altitudes for extended periods, as when spending a night at Crater Camp. Nifedipine rapidly decreases pulmonary artery force and relieves HAPE pending descent.

Supplementary emergency oxygen is a standard safety equipment on your challenging ascent of Kilimanjaro mountain organized through Uhuru Trails by AfricanMecca. It does not reverse moderate to severe AMS at once, but is very effective when combined with rapid evacuation. Your trained first-aider and head guide also your High Altitude Responder, is your primary resource. He will make appropriate contact with rescue services and emergency medical advisors via our base camp in Moshi.

Review Below The Complete Guide On High Altitude Sickness For Your Kilimanjaro Climb

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