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The Effects Of Altitude On Human Physiology

The Effects of Altitude On Human Physiology

The Effects of Altitude On Human Physiology

Changes in altitude have a profound effect on the human body. The body
attempts to maintain a state of homeostasis or balance to ensure the optimal
operating environment for its complex chemical systems. Any change from this
homeostasis is a change away from the optimal operating environment. The body
attempts to correct this imbalance. One such imbalance is the effect of
increasing altitude on the body's ability to provide adequate oxygen to be
utilized in cellular respiration. With an increase in elevation, a typical
occurrence when climbing mountains, the body is forced to respond in various
ways to the changes in external environment. Foremost of these changes is the
diminished ability to obtain oxygen from the atmosphere. If the adaptive
responses to this stressor are inadequate the performance of body systems may
decline dramatically. If prolonged the results can be serious or even fatal. In
looking at the effect of altitude on body functioning we first must understand
what occurs in the external environment at higher elevations and then observe
the important changes that occur in the internal environment of the body in
response.

HIGH ALTITUDE

In discussing altitude change and its effect on the body mountaineers
generally define altitude according to the scale of high (8,000 - 12,000 feet),
very high (12,000 - 18,000 feet), and extremely high (18,000+ feet), (Hubble,
1995). A common misperception of the change in external environment with
increased altitude is that there is decreased oxygen. This is not correct as the
concentration of oxygen at sea level is about 21% and stays relatively unchanged
until over 50,000 feet (Johnson, 1988).
What is really happening is that the atmospheric pressure is decreasing
and subsequently the amount of oxygen available in a single breath of air is
significantly less. At sea level the barometric pressure averages 760 mmHg while
at 12,000 feet it is only 483 mmHg. This decrease in total atmospheric pressure
means that there are 40% fewer oxygen molecules per breath at this altitude
compared to sea level (Princeton, 1995).

HUMAN RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

The human respiratory system is responsible for bringing oxygen into the
body and transferring it to the cells where it can be utilized for cellular
activities. It also removes carbon dioxide from the body. The respiratory system
draws air initially

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