Effects of High Altitude on the Body
High altitude has long been known to have effects on humans. High altitude is classified as being between 1500 meters to 3500 meters above sea level; very high altitude is classified as being between 3500 meters to 5500 meters, while extreme altitude is anything above 5500 meters (Wilkerson 1). At sea level oxygen in the air is at approximately 21% and barometric pressure is 760mmHg, when altitude increases to 5000 feet barometric pressure now becomes 483mmHg with 40% fewer oxygen molecules per breath (Curtis 2). With this being the case oxygen density is going down while carbon dioxide levels are increasing, both of these things combined, forces the heart rates along with exhalation rates to increase in order to rid itself of increased amounts of carbon dioxide that are being inhaled. When carbon dioxide levels are higher in the body it produces more sodium bicarbonate in the bladder, the body must increase bladder activity to rid itself of these compounds. Inc!reased appetite is another effect high altitude has on a person; your body must increase its appetite because it is working harder to get oxygen through out your body, that it requires more energy intake in the form of food (Eccles 2). The key to being
------------------------------------------------------------------------ healthy at high altitudes is giving your body time to adapt to lack of oxygen; this process is acclimatization (Wilkerson 2). HAPE may lead to the development of High Altitude Cerebral Edema also known as HACE. HACE is the swelling of the brain due to excessive accumulation of fluid in the brain (Washburn 1-2). HACE can be fatal in a few hours if treatment is not administered quickly, it may also lead to brain damage. Symptoms of HACE are almost the same as a person being intoxicated with alcohol (Dietz 4-5). These symptoms include loss of coordination/ balance called ataxia, slurred speech, and significant decrease in reaction time (Eccles 2). Long-term effects of HACE are decreasing levels of consciousness, hallucinations, psychotic behavior, and coma (Curtis 5). metry. At 9000 feet measurements of 85% - 95% are common but anything below 85% may imply more serious impairment of oxygen exchange ("Acute Mountain" 1). Symptoms start 12 - 24 hours after arrival and decrease in severity by the 3rd day. Symptoms tend to worsen at night due to decrease in respiration. As long as symptoms are mild normal activity may be continued. A simple way to asset if a member of your team has come down with AMS is to as them to walk a straight line just like a sobriety test, if they are unable immediate descent with medical attention is required (Curtis 4). No specific factors such as age, gender, or physical condition have an effect on who becomes ill at high altitudes some do and some don't (Curtis 2). The golden rules when it comes to altitude illnesses are 1-it is okay to get altitude sickness but is not okay to die from it, 2-never ascend with symptoms of illnesses, 3-if u are getting worse descend, 4-never leave some one alone who may becoming down with an illness (Dietz 3,4,6). Most medical problems of high altitude relate to the decreased availability of oxygen to tissues (Hackett 2). The first major illness that affects people who go to high altitude is Acute Mountain Sickness or more commonly known as AMS. AMS is defined as the accumulation of fluid in the body in parts where it does not belong (brain, lungs, or both). Mild forms of AMS occur in about 50% of people who travel to altitude of above 14000 feet ("High Altitude/Athletic Training" 2). Symptoms of AMS include headaches that won't go away, breathless! General measures for normal acc
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Approximate Word count = 1661
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)
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