The body's response to high altitude includes the following: ↑ Erythropoietin → ↑ hematocrit and haemoglobin ↑ 2,3-BPG (allows ↑ release of and a right shift on the Hb- disassociation curve) ↑ kidney excretion of bicarbonate (use of acetazolamide can augment for treatment) Chronic hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (can cause right ventricular hypertrophy) People with high-altitude sickness generally have reduced hyperventilator response, impaired gas exchange, fluid retention or increased sympathetic drive. There is thought to be an increase in cerebral venous volume because of an increase in cerebral blood flow and hypocapnic cerebral vasoconstriction causing oedema.
The body's response to high altitude includes the following: ↑ Erythropoietin → ↑ hematocrit and haemoglobin ↑ 2,3-BPG (allows ↑ release of and a right shift on the Hb- disassociation curve) ↑ kidney excretion of bicarbonate (use of acetazolamide can augment for treatment) Chronic hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (can cause right ventricular hypertrophy) People with high-altitude sickness generally have reduced hyperventilator response impaired gas exchange fluid retention or increased sympathetic drive. There is thought to be an increase in cerebral venous volume because of an increase in cerebral blood flow and hypocapnic cerebral vasoconstriction causing oedema.