Safe Trekking to Kilimanjaro (Healthy Matter)

-
Trekking Kilimanjaro, the Africa’s highest mountain without the proper guidance and equipment, it can be great danger.The great enemy on Kilimanjaro is neither weather nor the wildlife but the high altitude. Many climbers face Altitude Mountain Sickness (AMS), regardless of their fitness level.

What is AMS? Altitude Mountain Sickness is an illness caused by a reductionof barometric pressure and the concentration of oxygen in the air at ahigh elevation. Lower pressure makes the air less dense so your body gets fewer oxygen molecules with every breath you take.

There are three levels of AMS and those are Mild, Moderate and Severe

Mild cute Mountain Sickness Common to travelers who ascend rapidly to altitudes above 7,000 feet.

Typical problems could include any or all of the following: headache, difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, swelling of the face and hands, breathing problems and nausea.

Moderate Acute Mountain Sickness Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, a constant headache, and severe breathing problems even when sitting still. Carefully monitor the sufferer to ensure that he/she does not progress to severe AMS.

Severe Acute Mountain Sickness or High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) Mainsymptom: the loss of sense and balance Sign and symptoms – Vomiting, loss of coordination, severe lassitude, seizures, lossof sensation on one side of the body, hallucinations, stupor, confusion, and severe headache.

High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) Main symptom: the accumulation of water in the lungs This can happen as early as the second night. Usually it begins within the first two to four days of ascent to higher altitudes.

Sign and symptoms - Breathlessness with minor exertion. As greater amounts of fluid collect in the lungs, shortness of breath will increase, even while resting. Dry hacking cough. Anxious, restless and rapid or bounding pulse. Lips and fingers have a bluish color (which may mean you are not getting enough oxygen).

Treatments Altitude sickness Eat foods high in carbohydrates and low in fat and stay well-hydrated. Graded assent is the safest way to prevent attitude illness.

Acetazolamide(Dynamos) is a prescription medication that may help prevent altitude sickness.It works while you sleep; it increases your respiration rate.

Mild altitude sickness Do not go higher in altitude until the symptoms have gone. Watch closely for progression of illness to more severe forms. Minimize exertion. Avoid sleeping pills.

Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) 680mg to 1000mg or ibuprofen (Motrin) 400mg to 600mg for headaches. Administer acetazolamide (Diamox) at a dose of 250mg twice a day.

Severe Acute Mountain Sickness or High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) Immediately descend at least 3000 feet (1,000 meters). Administer acetazolamide (Diamox) at a dose of 250mg twice a day. Administer oxygen if available.

A Gamow bag may also be helpful in mitigating the effects. Administer 8mg of Decadron (Dexamethasone), followed by 4mg after 6 hours. High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) Immediately descend at least 3000 feet (1000 meters).

Do not wait. Waiting could prove to be fatal. Administer oxygen (four to six liters every minute) if available. A Gamow bag may be helpful in mitigating the effects. Every hour the dose of 10 to 20 mg of nifedipine (Procardia) may be helpful.

Hypothermia Main symptom: an abnormally low body temperature due to a cold environment. 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius) is considered mild to moderate hypothermia. Below 90F (32C) indicates severe hypothermia. Death from hypothermia is likely to occur at around 75 to 80F.

How we lose and conserve heat Radiation – this is a direct loss of heat from a warm body to a cooler environment. Protection includes wearing a hat and scarf.

Conduction – this is heat loss through direct physical contact between the body and a cooler surface. Protection includes insulation from the ground.

Convection – this is heat loss by air movement circulating round the body and depends on the velocity of wind (wind chill factor.) Windproof clothing and shelter will help reduce heat loss. Evaporation – when sweat or water evaporates on your skin, it cools you. Put extra layers under your clothing to act as a barrier.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Arusha city 'Geneva of Africa'

-
Image
Arusha is the city in Northern Tanzania.Nestled at the base of Mount Meru,is the third largest city in Tanzania known as ‘Geneva of Africa’ and the safaris gateway to some Africa's most famous landscapes and natural famous attractions such as Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater Lake Manyara, Olduvai Gorge, Tarangire National Park, Mount Kilimanjaro and its own Arusha national park,With population of more than 1.2 million, the Arusha city is more than just a stopover on the way to and from safari adventures.One of the fastest growing cities in Tanzania and the best tourist destination in East Africa and a haven for mountain climbers,hikers with Mount Kilimanjaro,Mount meru and ngorongoro crater highlands just waiting to be explored. With comfortable hotels, a wide array of international restaurants and a few sites of its own, the city is a welcome oasis of tranquility and affordable accommodations with charming friendly people. Arusha is the popular stating point for tourist...
Read more

Serengeti National Park(Endless Plain)

-
Image
The name Serengeti comes from the Maasai word “Siringet” referring to an “endless plains” As you stand on the southern grass plains, you experience thi vastness, and can witness one of the greatest concentrations of plain animals left on earth.The plains were formed 3-4 million years ago when ash blown from volcanoes in the ngorongoro highlands covered the rolling landscape. This thick layers of ash preserved traces of early man and established the rich soil which supports the southern grass plains. From this early beginning, man and wildlife have shared this magical place Serengeti is the world’s best game sanctuary,lies in northern Tanzania between Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the shores of Lake Natron, and extends southwards from the northern frontier to the periphery of Lake Eyasi. With an area of 14,763 sq km,its ecosystem extends beyond the park boundaries to include sections of ngorongoro conservation area(Ndutu Plains)and the adjacent game reserves.The entire ecosystem ma...
Read more

Festivals Zanzibar (tradition and culture)

-
Image
Islands of Zanzibar and Pemba have a wealth of tradition and culture much of which is recognised by numerous annual festivals and celebrations. EID EL FITR This is the three days festival that follows the end of Ramadan when eating drinking and smoking is prohibited during daylight hours. Because the date is dependent on the Islamic calendar , the dates of both Ramadan and therefore Eid vary by as much as 11 days each year. FESTIVAL OF THE DHOW COUNTRIES Established in 1997 the Festival of the Dhow Countries is the highlight of Zanzibar’s artisti and cultural calendar . A two week event held every July , the festival features craftwork , dance , music , painting , photography , sculpture , theatre , and film from the dhow countries of East , North East and Southern Africa , the Gulf States , India , Iran , Pakistan , and the islands of the Indian Ocean . The main venue for the festival is the open air theatre at the Old Fort but events also take place at the Palace Museum , Hous...
Read more