How do people survive at high altitudes?
Humans can survive at high altitudes. However, if you go to a high altitude, your body needs to adjust properly by getting used to it slowly or you could get sick.
Last updated on 19 May 2023
Avoid visiting places on the same day when you get to higher altitudes. Acclimatise and only then get to places which requires climbing.
High hemoglobin level is most often caused by low oxygen levels in the blood (hypoxia), present over a long period of time. Common reasons includes bone marrow disease that causes abnormal increase in red blood cells (polycythemia vera) Congenital heart disease and heavy smoking.
Living at high altitude can potentially improve your endurance during intense exercise. It may increase your aerobic capacity, lactic acid tolerance, and oxygen flow to your muscles. To prevent altitude sickness, climb slowly and reduce your intensity at high altitudes.
At higher altitudes such as on top of a mountain, the air is less dense and this means that the partial pressure of oxygen is lower.
At high attitudes, hypoxia-induced erythropoietic drive results in erythrocytosis and an increase in hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit. Hence people with SCD should be careful and report abnormalities to the doctor immediately.
Hb Test, Hb
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