Altitude Sickness and

Acclimatization
 Overview
• What are the critical altitude
levels?
• What are the type of altitude
sickness?
• What are early symptoms of
altitude sickness?
• What happens in the body
during altitude sickness?
Critical Altitude Levels

• High altitude: 2500 –

3500 m (8200 – 11500 ft)
• Very high altitude: 3500
– 5500 m (11500 – 18000
ft)
• Extreme altitude: above
5500 m
 Types of Altitude
Sickness
• Acute mountain sickness
(AMS): common in high
altitude
• High altitude pulmonary
Edema (HAPE): result from
fluid build-up in lungs
• High altitude cerebral
edema (HACE): result of
swelling of brain tissue from
fluid leakage
Early Symptoms of AMS
• Hyperventilation (breathing
faster, deeper, or both)  
• Shortness of breath during
exertion
• Changed breathing pattern at
night
• Awakening frequently at night
• Increased urination
Changes in the Body at
Altitude
1. Atmospheric pressure decreases
causing less oxygen per breath
2. The partial pressure of oxygen
affects the gas transfer in the
alveoli (tiny air sacks in the
lungs)
Changes in the Body at
Altitude
1. Limitation in oxygen transfer
to body tissues (ANOXIA)
directly effects the breakdown
of glucose into usable energy
2. Lack of energy conversion
results in difficulties to the
body at higher elevations
 Solutions to Altitude
Sickness
• Acclimatization: Allowing
body to adjust into new
altitude by ascending slowly
(Prevention)
• Descend: Getting back down
to lower altitude (Solution)
Acclimatization Process
• Chemoreceptor mechanism
increases the depth of alveolar
ventilation
• Pressure in pulmonary arteries
increases to force blood into
portions of the lung which are
normally not used
• The body produces more enzymes
that facilitate the release of
oxygen from hemoglobin to the
 Conclusion
• Levels of altitude
• Type of altitude sickness
• Changes in body due to altitude
• Prevention and solution to
altitude sickness
• Process of acclimatization in the
body
Questions?