Altitude Sickness – Causes

Transcript

Altitude sickness is caused by the general lack of air pressure and oxygen present in high altitudes. Air is thinner at higher altitudes, therefore, when you ascend too quickly, it doesn’t allow the body enough time to adjust to the reduced oxygen and changes in air pressure. Age, race, and gender are generally not risk factors for altitude sickness. However, a lung or heart condition, being pregnant, living at very low altitude and having already had altitude sickness prior are all considered risk factors. So consult your physician before going to high altitudes if you have preexisting pulmonary conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD, or sleep apnea.