Learn Scientific Knowledge of Acute Mountain Sickness

As of now, most people know Acute Mountain Sickness may happen to some skiers, climbers, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts in plateau. We search information for preparation, prevention and treatment. Many reasons and factors cause Acute Mountain Sickness, which characterized by many common signs and symptoms such as nausea, headache, dyspnea, malaise, and insomnia; in severe instances, pulmonary edema and adult respiratory distress syndrome can occur too.

Learn International Altitude Demarcation

1500 – 3500m is regarded as High Altitude

3500 – 5500m is regarded as Very High Altitude

Above 5500m is regarded as Extreme High Altitude

In general, people will feel fine ascending to 2400m, but the signs and symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness could occur over 2400m. One of the reasons is our ascend speed. If our bodies are given much more time to acclimatize the plateau environment, the symptoms could be better.

As far as we know, according to human beings history, the places we lived is always situated under 5500m. If we ascend over 5500m, acclimatization becomes unnecessary for our body, as the signs and symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness could be severe as long as we stay there. And then we will suffer high altitude deterioration.

The worst case is pulmonary edema and cerebral edema, which are fatal threat to us.

Some Famous Plateau Altitude and Mountain Altitude of the World

Qinghai – Tibet Plateau is an average of 4500m. Potosi of Bolivia is an average of 4090m. La Paz of Bolivia is an average of 3828m. Lhasa City of China is an average of 3650m. Taiwan's Central Mountain is an average of 3000m. Taiwan's Yutan Range, Snow Mountain Range are an average of 3000m. Sucre of Bolivia is an average of 2783m. Quito of Ecuador is an average of 2763m. Bogota of Columbia is an average of 2619m. Cochabamba of Bolivia is an average of 2569m. Addis Ababa of Ethiopia is an average of 2360m, Mexico City is an average of 2240m. Darjeeling of India is an average of 2100m.

Physiological Signs and Symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness

1.Fast and heavy breath

2.Blood pressure of lungs will be raised and more erythrocyte will be made.

3.Many enzymes will be made to release oxygen.

4.Capillaries of Skeletal muscle will be made more.

5.Plasma volume reduced.