Causes of Altitude Sickness
Early causes of altitude sickness occur from rapid exposure to low oxygen levels at higher elevations. As altitude increases, air pressure drops, reducing the amount of oxygen available for the body to use. This drop in oxygen is called hypoxia, and it affects how the brain, lungs, and muscles function.
The Role of Acclimatisation
Your body can adapt to high altitudes — a process known as acclimatisation. This involves:
- Increasing breathing rate
- Producing more red blood cells
- Adjusting blood flow
However, these adaptations take several days. When you ascend too fast, your body doesn’t have time to respond, resulting in altitude sickness.
Common Triggers
- Ascent too quickly (e.g. flying directly to a high-altitude location or rapid trekking)
- Sleeping at high altitude immediately after arrival
- Exerting yourself before your body adjusts
- Dehydration
- Alcohol consumption during or after ascent
Risk Factors
- Previous history of altitude sickness
- Living at sea level or low altitudes
- Underlying health conditions (especially lung or heart disease)
- Age and fitness are not reliable predictors — even elite athletes can get sick
Interestingly, the speed of ascent is often more important than the absolute altitude. Someone hiking slowly up a mountain may stay healthy, while another who drives or flies to the same height in hours could become seriously ill.
Understanding what causes altitude sickness can help prevent it. Let’s now look at how to identify the symptoms early.
👉 [Next: Diagnosis of Altitude Sickness]
Treatment of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Treatment for Altitude Sickness
