What Causes Acute Mountain Sickness?
At a high altitude the air is said to be ‘thinner’. This means that the concentration of oxygen is less, and air pressure is reduced. This combination leads to acute mountain sickness. In the same way that one may feel light headed holding their breath, when oxygen is scarce, the brain is deprived of oxygen – and dizziness results. acute mountain sickness is also likely to occur if an accent is made very quickly or too fast. Height above 14,000 feet increases the risk of mild symptoms, but people who stay at this level for a prolonged time may develop more severe symptoms. The condition can be made worse as a person suffering from symptoms may become anxious or stressed, breathe quicker and hyperventilate – further exacerbating the situation.
