1. Circulatory and respiratory
system changes of a mountain
climber

2. A healthy person,male, aged 20-30 years old wants to climb Mount Everest. Please
describe the changes in his circulatory and respiratory system when he :
a) is climbing the mountain.
b) reached the highest peak.
c) were to suffer from hypoxia/high altitude sickness. What are his symptoms and what
are the possible treatment?
* would it make any difference if the climber is a female?

3. He/she is climbing a mountain and reached
the highest peak.
•Circulatory and respiratory system will be stressed but it will adapt.
•The circulatory system cannot work as efficiently because there is less oxygen and
carbon dioxide.
•After being at high altitude for a long time, our body system will manage to adapt
with the pressure and environment.
•It will produce more red blood cells so that it can pick up more oxygen since less
oxygen is carried by each haemoglobin at higher altitude

4. Symptoms of hypoxia/high altitude
sickness
•Acute mountain sickness usuallycauses symptoms at least 8 to 36 hours after
ascent
•Symptoms of acute mountain sickness can include:
•Headache that is not relieved by over-the-counter pain medicine
•Nausea or vomiting
•Dizziness or lightheadedness
•Weakness or fatigue
•Difficulty sleeping
•Loss of appetite

5. Possible treatment for hypoxia/high
altitude sickness
•Gradual changes in altitude will help your body adapt to the low-oxygen environment
and can reduce your chances of developing all forms of altitude sickness. People adapt
at different rates, but there are four general guidelines for climbing above 10,000 feet
that are practical for climbers to follow:
oDo not increase your altitude by more than 1,000 feet per night.
oEach time you increase your altitude by 3,000 feet, spend a second night at this
elevation before going farther.
oLimit your physical exertion to reasonable levels during your first few days of
ascent to altitude.
oDrink plenty of fluid during your altitude exposure.
oIf you develop early signs of altitude sickness, you can keep from getting worse
if you immediately stop ascending or if you descend.
•Mild symptoms of altitude adjustment, such as headache, can be prevented or at least
limited by taking ibuprofen.

6. Would it make any difference if the
climber is a female?
No. It wouldn’t make any difference because our respiratory and circulatory
system is just the same between male and female.