High altitude is considered when the height above sea level reaches 2,400 metres.
How does high altitude affect our bodies?
- When travelling up high altitudes, such as mountains, the air pressure is lower. This means that there are fewer oxygen molecules in the air.
- For every 3048m that is ascended, 3 percent of oxygen is lost. (Brock, J, 2013)
- High altitude is considered when the height above sea level reaches 2,400 metres.
- Fitness levels drop significantly
- Humans can experience altitude sickness
What is Altitude sickness?
Altitude sickness is caused by ascending too rapidly, which doesn't allow the body enough time to adjust to reduced oxygen and changes in air pressure. (Better health channel, 2016). When climbers are influenced by altitude sickness they can experience headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and even appetite loss. These are some of the minor symptoms of altitude sickness, however some people experience severe altitude sickness. There are two types of severe altitude sickness, these are called high altitude pulmonary oedema and high altitude cerebral oedema. High altitude pulmonary oedema is related to fluid within the lungs, and high altitude cerebral oedema is related to fluid within the rain. In most cases, both conditions occur at the same time. A person with pulmonary oedema may drown if their lungs fill with too much fluid.Both of these can be fatal. Some of the symptoms of severe Altitude sickness are frequent coughing because of fluid in the lungs, inability to sit up or walk in a straight line and heart palpitations.
How do we prevent Altitude sickness?
Most cases of Altitude sickness occur when ascending down the mountains to quickly. To prevent many cases of Altitude sickness, we can ascend from the mountains slower. Another way to prevent Altitude sickness is by only advancing 300 m or less per day, once you are more than 3,000 m above sea level. Also Be sure to take an extra day of rest and acclimatisation for every subsequent 1,000 m. More ways to prevent Altitude sickness is by only climbing with experienced guides, increasing your fluid intake avoiding cigarettes and alcohol.
How do we cure Altitude sickness?
There are a some ways to treat Altitude sickness. One way is Hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This treats Altitude sickness because it uses specially designed chambers or rooms that can withstand high pressures. Air at sea level contains 21 per cent oxygen, while hyperbaric oxygen therapy can deliver up to 100 per cent pure oxygen.This form of therapy floods the body with oxygen and relieves the symptoms of altitude sickness. A portable oxygen cylinder enables oxygen to be administered via a facemask or hood. (Better health channel, 2016).
Spotlight on: Mount everest
Mount Everest, the most high-altitude point on Earth is in the Himalayan mountain range. This is on the border Nepal and the Chinese region of Tibet.
HOW HIGH?
8,848m is the height of Mount Everest above sea level.
5,545m is the height of the Mount Everest base camp.
HOW OLD?
-The youngest person ever to climb Mt Everest was 13 years old.
-The oldest person ever to climb Mt Everest was 80 years old.
- Mount Everest is 60 million years old.
HOW HIGH?
8,848m is the height of Mount Everest above sea level.
5,545m is the height of the Mount Everest base camp.
HOW OLD?
-The youngest person ever to climb Mt Everest was 13 years old.
-The oldest person ever to climb Mt Everest was 80 years old.
- Mount Everest is 60 million years old.
More images of Mount Everest and people climbing mountains
Spotlight on: La Rinconada
La Rinconada is the highest city in the world. It is in Peru and was meant to only be a temporary settlement for miners because of the amount of gold that was there. There are no proper waste disposal methods and no proper sewage systems, it is quite poor and its only resource is the gold that drew people to it since the Inca ages.The people in La Rinconada survive in extremely mentally and physically tough conditions.
La Riconadas human population have trained their bodies to be able to live in an altitude so high. However, travellers may be shocked at how difficult it is to breathe and live so high above sea level.
HOW HIGH?
5,100m is the height of La Riconada above sea level.
La Riconadas human population have trained their bodies to be able to live in an altitude so high. However, travellers may be shocked at how difficult it is to breathe and live so high above sea level.
HOW HIGH?
5,100m is the height of La Riconada above sea level.