Health. How to prevent and treat?
General health condition
Climbing Kilimanjaro is demanding, both physically and mentally. That's true. However, it is absolutely within reach of any averagely healthy person, not by any means a professional athlete.
Kilimanjaro is a volcanic mountain, not a fold mountain. Thanks to this, you don't need climbing skills from rocks, crampons, harnesses, ice axes - it's not the Alps or the Himalayas! On the highest mountain in Africa, you will rather deal with fatigue, weariness, dehydration or altitude sickness.
They say that if you are able to run for half an hour without shortness of breath, you are ready to climb Uhuru Peak. You will certainly increase your chances by preparing physically for the effort 3-6 months before the planned trip (jogging, cycling, gym, etc.).
To learn about your potential limitations and prevent unpleasant surprises related to the lack of strength on the trail, it is certainly a good idea to conduct an exercise test before leaving for Tanzania, at a health facility, and a medical consultation accompanying this test (mandatory if you suffer from chronic diseases, especially cardiological ones).
Altitude sickness
Climbing Kilimanjaro carries the risk of altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS). This illness occurs at high altitudes (already above 2,500 m above sea level, so almost on the entire Kilimanjaro trail), because the body has difficulty adapting to the low level of oxygen in the air. AMS can affect anyone, even the most experienced climber. Unfortunately, in the lowlands, before the expedition to the summit, you cannot check whether you are susceptible to altitude sickness or not...
To reassure you: during the expedition, Eli will monitor your health daily. You will be examined with a pulse oximeter to check your resting heart rate and blood oxygen saturation. You can also do it yourself (with your own high-quality pulse oximeter). Note that the alarm limit for saturation in high mountains is lowered, so, for example, 76% saturation will not be considered by Eli as an alarm state threatening health. Keep your chin up!
Here are some tips for preventing and treating AMS during your Kilimanjaro climb:
Preventing AMS
Gradual ascent: If possible, choose a longer trail (e.g., Lemosho) to give your body more time to acclimatize.
Yes, it's true that the record for the fastest ascent of Kilimanjaro (officially recognized by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority), set by Karl Egloff, a Swiss climber, is 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 24 seconds. However, you probably don't plan to cover two sections planned for two days in one day just because you feel in great, even vital condition. This can end in altitude sickness and a retreat before reaching the goal.
High camps: All routes have been carefully planned and spread over several days, considering the average tourist's fitness and stamina. Each section ends at a camp at an increasingly higher level (with some exceptions, e.g., a slight descent one day to give the body more time to acclimatize). Before the summit attack, you will have a planned stay at the highest base camp for final acclimatization.
Drink plenty of water: Try to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. A well-hydrated body copes better with altitude sickness. Take a minimum of 4 liters of water in your hand luggage backpack for the daily trail. Eli will strictly adhere to this. You will receive boiled water every morning from the cook at the camp (and of course after reaching the camp that is the goal of the day).
On some trails, you can encounter streams, especially in the upper parts of the mountain. However, do not plan to replenish water from them and try to have an adequate supply with you in your backpack.
Avoid alcohol and nicotine: Alcohol and nicotine can increase the risk of altitude sickness, so it's best to avoid them during the climb.
Anti-nausea medication: You may consider taking medications to help relieve AMS symptoms, but consult with a travel medicine doctor before starting the trek (they may prescribe acetazolamide, e.g., the popular diamox) or simply with Eli during the climb. Note: these medications can be strongly diuretic, so after taking them in the evening, you will not avoid leaving the tent to go to the toilet or under the rocks...
Treating AMS
Descend to a lower level: If you experience AMS symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, or dizziness, immediately tell your guide and descend to a lower level where there is more oxygen. The guide (Eli) or another authorized person will descend with you. Safety and health are paramount.
Rest: After descending to a lower level, rest and wait for the symptoms to disappear. Many cases of AMS are relieved after descending.
Oxygen therapy: In case of more severe symptoms of altitude sickness, oxygen therapy may be necessary. Oxygen availability is limited high in the mountains, so providing supplemental oxygen can help relieve symptoms. The guide (Eli) always carries an oxygen cylinder with them, which they will not hesitate to use for your benefit.
Pharmacological treatment: In some cases, doctors may recommend anti-nausea medication or painkillers to relieve AMS symptoms.
It is crucial to monitor your body and react to symptoms of altitude sickness. Although most cases of AMS are mild and subside after descending to a lower level, in case of more serious symptoms (e.g., pulmonary edema or cerebral edema), immediate medical evacuation is necessary.
Before embarking on a Kilimanjaro climb, it is worth consulting a travel (tropical) medicine doctor to obtain advice on the prevention and treatment of altitude sickness and to adjust the trekking plan to your health and level of physical preparation. Tests that are used to assess the body before the expedition include:
blood and urine laboratory tests (complete blood count, kidney parameters, liver parameters, glycemia, iron metabolism parameters)
imaging tests (chest X-ray, abdominal ultrasound, echocardiogram, panoramic dental X-ray)
ECG, cardiac stress test
mentioned VO2max exercise test
body composition and mass assessment
Yellow fever, malaria and other infectious diseases
Currently (2023), there is no mandatory yellow fever vaccination before entering Tanzania. There is always some risk of getting sick, but if you are not going to the mountains during the rainy season, you do not have to worry about mosquitoes carrying tropical diseases. The choice to get vaccinated before departure is yours.
COVID-19
Currently (2023), there is no requirement to present a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or a negative COVID-19 test before entering Tanzania.