1. Low oxygen levels at high altitude can cause various illnesses such as acute mountain sickness with symptoms like headache, fatigue, and nausea. 2. More severe cases involve fluid buildup in the lungs (HAPE) or brain (HACE), which can cause confusion, irrational behavior, and even death if not treated by immediate descent to lower altitude. 3. Going too high too fast increases risks; symptoms range from increased breathing to fluid leaks that can damage lungs and brain.

1. Effects of Low Oxygen Levels on Your Body

2. High Altitude Illness **severe headache, nauseous, weak, fluid leaks from the capillaries (leads to fluid build-up in lungs & brain) Going Too High Too Fast **depth of respiration increases, pressure in pulmonary arteries increases, body produces more red blood cells Acute Mountain Sickness **headache, dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, nausea, disturbed sleep, general feelings of malaise

3. Moderate AMS **severe headache (not relieved by medication) , nausea, vomiting, weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath, decreased coordination, normal activity is difficult, unable to walk a straight line – requires decent of 1,000-2,000 feet and rest for 24 hours Severe AMS **shortness of breath at rest, inability to walk, decreasing mental status, fluid build-up in the lungs – requires immediate decent to lower altitudes (2,000-4,000 feet)

4. HACE & HAPE **occurs when people go too high too fast or they go very high and stay there – lack of oxygen results in leakage of fluid through the capillary walls into either the lungs or brain

5. High Altitude HAPE **fluid buildup in the lungs prevents effective oxygen exchange, level of oxygen in bloodstream decreases (can lead to death), shortness of breath at rest, “tightness” in the chest, marked fatigue, feeling of impending suffocation at night, weakness, persistent productive cough bring up white, water, or frothy fluid, confusion, irrational behavior – immediate decent is a necessary lifesaving measure & must be evacuated to a medical facility for proper follow-up treatment

6. High Altitude HACE **occurs after a week or more at high altitude – swelling of brain tissue from fluid leakage, headache, loss of coordination (ataxia), weakness, decreasing levels of consciousness, disorientation, loss of memory, hallucinations, psychotic behavior, coma – can lead to death if not treated quickly – immediate decent is a necessary lifesaving measure & must be evacuated to a medical facility for proper follow-up treatment