Effects of Altitude

on the Human Body

by
Rick Newman

While the effects of altitude on the human body are better understood now than even a few short years
ago, much is still unknown. Doing research on altitude issues is difficult; there are no easy methods of
controlling experiments in order to gather reliable data, and exposure to high altitude usually also
includes exposure to cold, heat, exercise, and dehydration. Further confusing the issue is that each
individual may respond differently than his companions and differently than he did in the past. Still,
some effects are well documented.

Hypoxia
As you climb higher, there is (effectively) less oxygen in the air to breathe. As your blood oxygen levels
decrease, your body will signal the brain to increase ventilation, or your breathing rate. This is called the
hypoxic ventilator response (HVR). This increases
oxygen levels (which is good) but also causes too
much carbon dioxide to be exhaled (which is
bad). Hypoxia (a deficiency in the amount of
oxygen reaching body tissues) creates a conflict
in the body. Either oxygen levels are too low
(due to hypoventilation), or carbon dioxide levels
are too low (due to hyperventilation). Since the
low oxygen will win this battle, carbon dioxide
levels will be low, increasing blood pH and
disrupting normal body function. Normally, this
would be corrected quickly, but at altitude this
Hypoxic conditions from process is slow and normal pH may not be
http://www.diffusionpharma.com/?page_id=15 reached for several weeks.

Acclimatization
Up to 25,000’ (above which they call the “death zone”), the human body will adapt to altitude. This
process is acclimatization. One of the first changes is an increase in the heart rate (which returns to
normal after a few days at altitude). Ventilation (both the rate and depth of breathing) will also
increase, and continue to increase slowly for about a week before leveling off. Within a couple of hours
at altitude, the body will begin to produce more hemoglobin, the oxygen carrying red blood cells. Red
blood cells take about a week to form and mature. How do you know when you are acclimatized?
Normal sleep, a normal appetite, and a normal heart rate have all been used as signs that
acclimatization is adequate.

1
AMS, HAPE, and HACE
There are three major illnesses caused directly by altitude:
acute mountain sickness (AMS), high-altitude pulmonary edema
(HAPE), and high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE). The primary
symptoms of altitude illness are loss of appetite/nausea, light
headedness, poor sleep, headache, mental abnormalities, lack of
coordination, excessive fatigue, and excessive shortness of
breath. Most people will experience some AMS while on the
mountain, until they acclimate to the altitude. HAPE is excess
fluid in the lungs. This fluid leaks from the capillaries, enters the
intercellular spaces, and fills the alveoli (air sacs). The lungs lose
their ability to serve as the interface between the atmosphere
and the blood. HACE is a life threatening illness that requires
immediate medical treatment. It is the result of swelling of
brain tissue from fluid leakage and almost always begins as AMS.
HAPE Study - see
Descent to lower altitude, proper hydration, and certain drugs http://www.altitude.org/HAPEposter1.j
are the treatments for altitude illnesses.

The effects of altitude on the body are a challenge for any climber or trekker. Proper training,
preparation, and experience can mitigate the negative impacts, but each person can still expect a unique
experience on each trip to altitude.

Source: The Altitude Experience, Mike Farris/2008 see thealtitudeexperience.com/blog/