High Altitude Physiology - Presented by Fire And Ice Vacation Rentals

High Altitude- By Fire And Ice Vacation Rentals

High Altitude Science and Physiology

You may have noticed from previous ski trips that high altitude has certain physical effects on your body. Many people refer to these effects as being the result of the "thin air" or of a "lack of oxygen", but have you ever wondered what exactly is happening? Why is the air "thin"? Why does your body respond this way? What are the symptoms and more importantly, what can you do about them? To understand how your body reacts to high altitude, it’s important to first understand some of the science behind high altitude.

It's only a slight misconception to describe the air as having "less oxygen" at high altitude. As we all know, air is composed of mostly nitrogen and oxygen, with other gases such as carbon dioxide and argon occurring in smaller quantities. People require oxygen to survive, and as a by-product of us breathing we exhale carbon dioxide. The percentage of each of the gases that makes up air doesn’t actually change much with altitude, which is why the common expression that “mountain air has less oxygen” is sometimes referred to as a misconception. Percentage-wise, there isn’t really “less oxygen” in mountain air. Air is roughly 21% oxygen at sea level and roughly 21% oxygen in the mountains as well. What actually happens is that the lower pressure at higher elevations causes the air to be less dense, which effectively means that the molecules themselves are actually farther apart. As a result, when you fill your lungs with the same volume of air at higher elevations, there are fewer oxygen molecules for your body to use, thus the expression “mountain air is thinner”. Why is the air less dense at higher elevations? Simple. Gravity. The higher you go, the less atmosphere there is sitting above you compressing the air you breath.

So, what does all of this mean to your body? Well, naturally the thin air is going to have a physiological effect on your body. Your body is able to absorb less oxygen. You may notice shortness of breath as you’re climbing a staircase or you may simply notice that you’re less alert than you would normally be at sea level. In general, your physical and mental abilities will degrade. In some cases, you may experience the symptoms of what pilots refer to as “Hypoxia”, which can be characterized by an unusually intense sense of well-being. In aviation the intoxicating sense of well-being that can be experienced with increases in altitude is considered to be very dangerous. It leaves pilots thinking that everything is fine when they’re actually in danger. This is why most commercial aircraft are pressurized, and this is why the FAA has carefully constructed the laws regarding the use of supplemental oxygen in all aircraft.

While for most of us high altitudes leaves us feeling euphoric and happy, making for a better vacation experience, some people can experience headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and even sleep loss. If you’re experiencing any of these negative symptoms, commonly referred to as “altitude sickness”, here are some things you can do that might help you recover.

Slow down on the alcohol. You can drink. Just don’t over do it. Excessive alcohol consumption is a very common contributing factor to altitude sickness. Your body is already being slowed down by the lack of oxygen, and too much alcohol is going to make the symptoms worse. Besides, there really is nothing worse than having a high altitude hangover when you’re trying to enjoy your vacation.
Don’t take any non-essential sedatives such as sleeping pills or allergy medications that make you drowsy. Once again, the lack of oxygen is going to be slowing your body down already, so the effects of these medications will be amplified. The more you artificially lower your heart rate, the less oxygen your blood will be able to deliver to your cells. If you’re having trouble sleeping, try to resist the temptation to take an over-the-counter pill for the problem. For some people, taking sleeping pills at altitude leaves them waking up every few minutes gasping for air, a very unpleasant experience, trust me. If altitude-related problems are keeping you up, just relax and accept the fact that you might not get as much sleep the first night. You’ll probably sleep just fine the next night, once you’re acclimated.
Take it easy! If you’ve over-exerted yourself mentally or physically, your muscles and your brain are going to be in need of oxygen. Slow down and relax. Take slow, deep breaths. You’re on vacation. Allow your body time to adjust to the thinner air, and you’ll be fine.
Try having something caffeinated or some other type of “upper”. This may help you stay alert, increase your resting heart rate, and ultimately reduce some of the negative symptoms you’re experiencing. In fact, tourists heading to high altitude destinations such as Machu Picchu, in South America, are often given a coca leaf tea to drink. It’s a stimulant that’s supposed to increase your heart rate, thus increasing the rate of delivery of oxygen to the brain and body.

Once you’re acclimated to the thinner air, you can take pride in the fact that your body is now working a bit more efficiently than those of your friends down the hill. In fact, it’s becoming increasingly common for athletes to train at higher elevations in order to increase their endurance. People often report noticing this increased endurance after just a short visit to the mountains. They claim that they feel less winded when they return to their normal exercise schedule at home after they’ve been on a ski trip.