Altitude Sickness

What is Altitude Sickness?
Symptoms associated with altitude sickness result from  the body's inability to adjust to lower levels of oxygen in the blood. At sea level, the concentration of oxygen is about 21% and the barometric pressure averages 760 mmHg. As altitude increases, oxygen concentration remains the same but the number of oxygen molecules per breath is reduced due to lower barometric pressure. At 3,658 meters (12,000 feet), barometric pressure decreases to 483 mmHg, resulting in roughly 40% fewer oxygen molecules per breath. In order to increase oxygen levels in the blood, your body responds by breathing faster. Although oxygen levels increase, sea level  concentrations cannot be reached. The body must adjust to having less oxygen. This adjustment is called acclimatization. At elevations above  5,500 meters, acclimatization is not possible and the body begins to deteriorate.

Acclimatization
The main cause of altitude sickness is going too high too fast. Given enough time, your body will adapt to the decrease in oxygen at a specific altitude. This process is known as acclimatization and generally takes one to three days at any given altitude. Upon climbing to a higher elevation, the body must readjust to the new altitude again  over a period of one to three days.

• In order to cope with decreased oxygen levels, the body reacts in the following ways:
• Respiration frequency and depth increases
• Pressure in pulmonary arteries is increased, "forcing" blood into  portions of  the lung which are normally not used during sea level  breathing.
• Additional red blood cells are produced to carry oxygen
• Enzymes are produced to facilitate the transfer of oxygen from hemoglobin to body tissues.
• It is imperative that hikers be aware of symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness during Kilimanjaro and Meru trips and that they communicate with the guide regularly regarding their condition. It is very important to rest and not ascend further if experiencing severe symptoms of AMS.

Cheyne-Stokes Respiration
Above 3,000 meters (9,842 feet), most people experience a periodicbreathing during sleep known as Cheyne-Stokes Respirations. The pattern  begins with a few shallow breaths and increases to deep sighing respirations then falls off rapidly for a few seconds before shallow breathing begins again. During the period when breathing  stops the person often becomes restless and may wake with a sudden feeling of suffocation. This can disturb sleeping patterns, exhausting the climber. This type of breathing is not considered  abnormal at high altitudes. Diamox is helpful in relieving this periodic  breathing.

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
Acute Mountain Sickness is common at high altitudes and 75% of people experience some symptoms over 3,000 meters (9,842 feet). The severity of AMS depends on several factors including rate of ascent, elevation, and individual susceptibility. Symptoms usually begin between  12 and  24 hours after reaching altitude and decrease in severity by the third   day.

Mild AMS symptoms include headache, nausea and dizziness, loss of appetite, fatigue, shortness of breath, and inability to sleep.

As long as the symptoms are mild, hikers can continue to climb at a moderate rate. All symptoms of AMS should be communicated to the  head guide and progress reports should be given daily.

Moderate AMS symptoms include: severe headache, nausea and vomiting, increased weakness and fatigue, shortness of breath, and decreased coordination.

Although the  hiker may be able to continue walking on their own while experiencing  moderate symptoms of AMS, normal activity becomes more and more  difficult as the hiker gains altitude. At this stage, only  medicine   and descent can reverse the symptoms of AMS. Even a minor descent of only 300 meters will result in a significant improvement. All symptoms of moderate AMS should be communicated to the guide  at which point the guide will make a decision whether or not to  evacuate. Depending on symptoms, the climber may be told to walk a  straight line. If he or she is not able to walk a straight line on their  own, immediate descent is required.

Severe AMS symptoms include increased shortness of breath, loss of ability to walk, decreasing mental awareness, and fluid buildup in lungs.
Severe AMS can only be treated by immediate descent to lower altitudes.

Other Severe Altitude-Related Illnesses
Two other severe forms of altitude sickness may result from failure to  descend to lower altitudes. These include High Altitude  Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) and High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE).   Although these happen less frequently, they usually result from fast   ascents  among people who are not properly acclimatized. The lack of  oxygen in the body causes a leakage of fluid through the capillary walls  into either the lungs or brain.

High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)
HAPE results from fluid buildup in the lungs and can prevent effective    oxygen exchange. Impaired cerebral function, cyanosis, and death  may result in severe cases of HAPE. Symptoms of HAPE include: shortness  of breath even at rest; fatigue and weakness; feeling of  impending  suffocation or drowning; grunting or gurgling sounds when breathing;  persistent cough which brings up white, watery, or frothy  fluid; confusion and irrational behavior. In cases of HAPE, immediate  descent is necessary. Patients should be evacuated to a medical facility  for follow-up treatment.

High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)
HACE is the result of swelling of brain tissue from fluid leakage.    Symptoms include the following: headache; loss of  coordination (ataxia); weakness; decreasing levels of consciousness   including, disorientation, loss of memory, hallucinations, blindness,   and coma. HACE generally occurs after a week or more at high altitude.  Severe instances can lead  to death if not treated quickly  and immediate descent is a necessary life-saving measure. Follow-up care  must be sought at a medical facility following HACE.

Preventing Altitude Sickness
There are two ways to prevent altitude-related illness: proper    acclimatization and preventative medicines. These recommendations are    written specifically for climbing Mounts Meru and Kilimanjaro  in Tanzania and may not be applicable to other high mountains.  But always, we advises our climbers to have a ‘polepole ’pace and  drinking plenty of water as the best preventative method to slow down  altitude sickness.

• Tell guide your AMS symptoms and keep him as well as the other group members informed of your progress.
• Climb high and sleep low. It is recommended that you acclimate  during the  day  by climbing to high elevations and then descending to  sleep.
• If you begin to show symptoms of moderate altitude illness, don't go higher until symptoms decrease.
• If symptoms become severe, descend.
• Stay properly hydrated. Acclimatization is often accompanied by  fluid loss, so you need to drink lots of fluids to remain properly  hydrated (at   least 4-6 liters per day). Urine should be clear.
• Don't over-exert yourself at altitude. Light activity during the  day is better than sleeping because respiration decreases during  sleep, exacerbating the symptoms.
• Avoid tobacco and alcohol and other depressant drugs  including, barbiturates, tranquilizers, and sleeping pills. Depressants  further decrease the rate of respiration during sleep resulting in a  worsening of the symptoms.
• Eat a high calorie diet of which 70% is carbohydrates.

PREVENTANTITVE MEDICATIONS

Diamox (Acetazolamide):  

Diamox  is a drug that allows you to breathe faster so that you metabolize   more  oxygen. Although  gradual ascent is recommended as opposed to  Diamox, the drug does help to avert symptoms of Altitude Mountain Sickness. Because it takes a while for Diamox to have an effect, it is advisable  to start taking it 24 hours before you go to altitude and continue for at least five days at higher altitude. 

The recommended dose is between 125 mg and 250 mg  twice daily starting  one to two days before the trek and continuing for  three days once the highest altitude is reached. Possible side effects include tingling of the lips and finger tips, excessive urination, blurring of vision, and alteration of taste. Contact 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. (There are other medications that may be taken to prevent altitude sickness. You must ask your  doctor if they are right for you.)

OTHER MEDICATIONS

Ibuprofen -  relieves altitude induced headache.

 Nifedipine - rapidly decreases pulmonary artery pressure and also seems able to decrease the narrowing in the pulmonary artery caused by low  oxygen levels, thereby improving oxygen transfer. It can therefore be  used  to treat HAPO, though unfortunately its effectiveness is not  anywhere as dramatic as that of dexamethasone in HACO. The dosage is  20mg of  long acting nifedipine, six to eight hourly.

Furosemide - May clear the lungs of water in HAPO and reverse the suppression of  urine brought on by altitude. However, Furosemide can also lead to collapse from low volume shock if the victim is already dehydrated.  Treatment dosage is 120mg daily.