Causes of mountain sickness

At sea level, the oxygen concentration is 21% and the atmospheric pressure averages 760 mmHg. As the height increases, its concentration does not change, but the number of oxygen molecules per unit of air decreases. At an altitude of 3658 meters, the atmospheric pressure is only 483 mm Hg, and the number of oxygen molecules per unit of air is approximately 40% less than its normal value.

In order to meet the body's full oxygen supply. You must speed up the breathing (even at rest). This extra breathing increases the oxygen content in the blood, but it has not reached the concentration at sea level. Since the amount of oxygen required to maintain physical activity is the same, the body must adapt to the hypoxic environment. In addition, for reasons not yet fully understood, high altitude and low air pressure can cause body fluids to escape from the capillaries, causing body fluids to accumulate in the lungs and brain.

Without adequate adaptation and exposure to high altitudes for a long time, there are potentially serious consequences, and even life-threatening illnesses.