Altitude sickness, is divided into 3 different levels of intensity, Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE), and High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE). These illnesses occur when someone is exposed to levels of higher elevation, reduced oxygen levels and lowered air pressure. Altitude sickness causes the veins and capillaries to expand in order to take in more oxygen. Some scientists also believe that it can cause the brain to slightly swell. Altitude sickness can affect anyone over 6000 feet in elevation. It can cause whoever has it to feel very nauseous with a mild headache. However, people with altitude sickness usually do not experience the symptoms until they have been at high elevation for a few hours. Very
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Since more and more people are starting to take up these sports, especially in Colorado where there are abundant areas to do so, altitude sickness is becoming more and more of a common health and safety hazard. People who visit Colorado to go skiing or snowboarding are slightly more prone to the symptoms of altitude sickness that the people who live here. To avoid the severe effects of altitude sickness, visitors may spend a night or so in Denver to get used to the higher elevation, then go up to the mountains for their ski trip. People who choose to go straight to the mountains without adjusting to the high altitude can experience troubles while they sleep. Irregular breathing is the most common symptom for someone who is sleeping at a high altitude,which is most commonly known as Cheyne-Stokes Respirations. This is because the CO2 levels are getting too low so the brain tells the body that it needs to stop breathing, which only lasts for 12 seconds. After this, the body will receive an oxygen flow throughout the …show more content…
This is because potassium aids in the regulation of blood pressure, cholesterol and the rhythm of the heart. Keeping electrolyte levels in balance is also very important because they help the cells in the body be able to communicate with each other properly. If the body doesn’t have enough electrolytes it can cause minor muscle cramps to occur. Another very important tip is to keep hydrated. Since they climate in Denver is very dry, it is very important to drink water. People visiting Denver will need to drink almost twice as much water in order to keep fully hydrated. The symptoms of dehydration are very similar to the symptoms of altitude sickness (dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, headache, and fatigue). Combined, these two illnesses will only strengthen the effect of the symptoms. Also to help prevent severe altitude sickness it is advised to ascend very slowly in small increments in order to get used to the constant change in altitude. Something to avoid would be drinking alcohol, coffee or any other diuretic drinks. This is because these beverages cause the body to become dehydrated which is the exact opposite of what is needed to prevent altitude sickness. Also one of the main causes of severe altitude sickness is ascending too quickly. For example, if
Since more and more people are starting to take up these sports, especially in Colorado where there are abundant areas to do so, altitude sickness is becoming more and more of a common health and safety hazard. People who visit Colorado to go skiing or snowboarding are slightly more prone to the symptoms of altitude sickness that the people who live here. To avoid the severe effects of altitude sickness, visitors may spend a night or so in Denver to get used to the higher elevation, then go up to the mountains for their ski trip. People who choose to go straight to the mountains without adjusting to the high altitude can experience troubles while they sleep. Irregular breathing is the most common symptom for someone who is sleeping at a high altitude,which is most commonly known as Cheyne-Stokes Respirations. This is because the CO2 levels are getting too low so the brain tells the body that it needs to stop breathing, which only lasts for 12 seconds. After this, the body will receive an oxygen flow throughout the …show more content…
This is because potassium aids in the regulation of blood pressure, cholesterol and the rhythm of the heart. Keeping electrolyte levels in balance is also very important because they help the cells in the body be able to communicate with each other properly. If the body doesn’t have enough electrolytes it can cause minor muscle cramps to occur. Another very important tip is to keep hydrated. Since they climate in Denver is very dry, it is very important to drink water. People visiting Denver will need to drink almost twice as much water in order to keep fully hydrated. The symptoms of dehydration are very similar to the symptoms of altitude sickness (dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, headache, and fatigue). Combined, these two illnesses will only strengthen the effect of the symptoms. Also to help prevent severe altitude sickness it is advised to ascend very slowly in small increments in order to get used to the constant change in altitude. Something to avoid would be drinking alcohol, coffee or any other diuretic drinks. This is because these beverages cause the body to become dehydrated which is the exact opposite of what is needed to prevent altitude sickness. Also one of the main causes of severe altitude sickness is ascending too quickly. For example, if