Altitude Sickness

The higher you climb above sea level, the less oxygen there is in the air. The oxygen level becomes very low at altitudes above 8,000 feet. People who normally live at lower altitudes have problems at high altitudes because their bodies aren't used to working on so little oxygen. If you stay at a high altitude for a long time, your body gets used to the low oxygen level, and you don't get sick from it.

There are 3 main types of high-altitude illness:

- Acute mountain sickness
- High-altitude cerebral oedema (also called HACE), which affects the brain
- High-altitude pulmonary edema (also called HAPE), which affects the lungs

These illnesses can be serious, but they can also be prevented. The Normal physiologic changes that occur in every person who is exposed to altitude:

• Hyperventilation (breathing faster, deeper, or both)
• Shortness of breath during exertion
• Changed breathing pattern at night
• Awakening frequently at night
• Increased urination