Mountain Climbing & Altitude Sickness

 

Our Native American ancestors named the Rocky Mountains which are the largest mountains in North America. The Rocky Mountains are 4828km in length, 650km wide and they peak in Colorado at 4401m above sea-level. When mountain climbing as you climb higher the available atmospheric oxygen decreases. This means that if you climb too fast without pacing yourself, then you are subject to experience altitude sickness. Mild symptoms of altitude sickness include dizziness, headaches, nausea and vomiting. Typically, mild symptoms can be treated by returning to a lower elevation. However, in extreme cases individuals may experience cerebral edema, the swelling of the brain or hypoxia, the decrease of oxygen to a specific area of the body. These extreme symptoms require immediate medical attention and intervention. This is why professional mountain climbers carry oxygen with them when mountain climbing.