Regulatory Changes of Tibet Altitude Sickness

The natural environment on Tibet Plateau is characterized by low-pressure and low oxygen content. Tourists making a Tibet tour from the plain areas might suffer a series of stress reactions in the respiratory system, circulatory system, digestive system and nervous system. While getting adapted to the high plateau environment, a series of high altitude sickness symptoms might occur and the symptoms varies for tourists with different age, gender, health condition and mental state. This article states the possible regulatory changes of Tibet high altitude sickness.

Regulatory Changes of Tibet Altitude Sickness – Changes in Respiratory System

The average respiratory rate per minute is 18 times for people in the plain area. The breathing pattern of tourists suffering a mild anoxia in Tibet will increase in tempo and depth. The breathing tempo would keep increasing if your anoxia is worsening. Some of the tourists would feel a choking sensation in their chest or suffer a shortness of breath in their first period of Tibet tour. But tourists don't need to be over worried about the changes in respiratory system since your normal breath pattern will back after you get adapted to the plateau environment.

Regulatory Changes of Tibet Altitude Sickness – Changes in Circulatory System

Generally, the changes in circulatory system mainly show in three aspects – the rhythm of the heart, the blood pressure and the hemogram. The pulse rate of the normal people living in the plain area is about 72 times per minute. After enter into Tibet, the contraction frequency of the heart would be increased to ensure the necessary oxygen supply. The pulse rate of some of the Tibet Plateau visitors even reaches 80-90 times per minute. It will back to the normal state after you get adapted to the environment with high altitude.

The blood pressure might rise when tourists enter into Tibet due to the changes in systemic circulation, lesser circulation and microcirculation in the high plateau environment. The increase of the erythrocyte and hemoglobin is a reasonable physiological phenomenon with the increasing of the elevation. But over increasing in erythrocyte and hemoglobin might lead to pathologic changes which manifests as plethora face, shortness in breath and finger cyanosis.

Regulatory Changes of Tibet Altitude Sickness – Changes in Digestive System

The secretion of the digestive glands and the peristalsis might be restrained after enter into Tibet. Except the increase of the pancreas secretion, the secretion of spittle, intestinal juice and bile would decrease. Hence, a series of disorders in the digestive system might disappear due to the distinct weakening of the gastrointestinal function, including loss of appetite, abdominal distension, diarrhea and constipation.

Regulatory Changes of Tibet Altitude Sickness - Changes in Nervous System

The central nervous system, especially the brain is pretty sensitive to the oxygen deficit. Tourists making a Tibet tour and suffering a mild anoxia might get a strong emotional stress which could lead to headache, dizziness, insomnia and poor memory. Tourists suffering a severe anoxia might catch a drowsiness and lags in response. Actually, tourists who have a good mindset and strong intent in conquering the high altitude sickness would have less chance to be attacked by the above symptoms.