Expedition Medicine

Learn how acetazolamide, commonly known as Diamox, assists acclimatisation on Kilimanjaro, how it works, common side effects, dosing and safety.

Pulse oximetry is a standard clinical tool on high-altitude expeditions. Yet on mountains like Kilimanjaro, misinterpreting these readings remains a common error among guides and clinicians alike.

The first few hours at altitude can feel surprisingly hard. A short walk leaves you puffing, sleep becomes lighter, your appetite may fade, and even a mild headache can make a beautiful mountain day feel flat. None of this is random. It is your body trying to function with less oxygen than it is used to. What high altitude actually means As you go higher, the air does not lose oxygen as a percentage. What changes is the air pressure. Lower pressure means each breath delivers