Health on Kilimanjaro: AMS symptoms

According to the experts, headaches are a primary symptom used to diagnose altitude sickness, although a headache is also a symptom of dehydration. A headache occurring at an altitude above 2,400 meters (8000 feet = 76 kPa), combined with any one or more of the following symptoms, can indicate some degree of altitude sickness and should always be reported to your guide:

• Lack of appetite, nausea, or vomiting
• Fatigue or weakness
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Insomnia
• Pins and needles
• Shortness of breath upon exertion
• Persistent rapid pulse
• Drowsiness
• General malaise
• Peripheral edema (swelling of hands, feet, and face)

Often such symptoms are not serious and will improve with a little rest but they should never be ignored. Carefully monitoring your own health for is critical in ensuring symptoms do not deteriorate.