Gradual ascents reduce risks by allowing the body to acclimatize.
The physical effects of high altitude can affect almost anyone, although people with existing medical conditions can be more susceptible. It usually occurs when people who are used to lower altitudes reach high altitudes in a short amount of time. High altitudes can have a range of effects on a person, varying in severity.
Causes
High altitudes can cause people to experience symptoms and illness in a number of ways. These symptoms are often known as altitude sickness or acute mountain sickness. As there is less oxygen available in each breath taken at high altitudes, the rate of breathing must be higher for the body to receive enough oxygen. Lack of oxygen can also cause several other symptoms. High altitudes, in extreme cases, can cause serious illness through edema, or build-up of fluid, in major organs.
Breathing
High altitudes can affect the respiratory system. Fast, deep breathing and feeling short of breath are the human body's first reactions to high altitudes. Shallow breathing with brief intervals of not breathing at all is known as Cheyne-Stokes respirations. Although this can be exhausting and disturbing, it is a normal reaction when people reach altitudes of more than 10,000 feet. More serious lung problems can also develop. High altitude pulmonary edema is a collection of fluid in the lungs, preventing oxygen exchange and stopping oxygen from reaching the brain, which can be fatal if it is not treated urgently.
The Brain
Throbbing headaches are another normal reaction to . On top of this, a person may also report feeling dizzy, tired, faint, confused and uncoordinated. A serious complication that can affect the brain at high altitudes is called high altitude cerebral edema. This condition can cause more extreme symptoms, such as a gradual loss of consciousness, hallucinations and psychosis. It is caused by fluid leaking that causes the brain to swell. It can often take several days for these symptoms to begin but can be fatal if proper medical attention is not received.
Blood Flow
At high altitudes, blood flow can be slowed as a result of the number of blood cells in the body increasing. The presence of these additional blood cells gives the blood a thicker consistency and makes it harder for the heart to transport the oxygen in the blood stream around the body, causing such symptoms as dizziness.
Weight Loss
Weight loss can be a result of spending time at a , particularly at heights of more than 16,500 feet. High altitudes often cause nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite, which result in less food being consumed. Another cause of weight loss at these heights is the fact that the body begins to consume muscle to obtain energy.
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