Question 1

can high altitude cause hypertension or aggravate it if it already exists? if so what causes this?

Accepted Answer

No, Internal Control: Bp: a result of cardiac output vs. Average resistance of the 20, 000 to 30, 000 end arteries (arterioles) which determine blood flow to each capillary bed, both co ; size of all arterioles (degree of constriction) are under split-second control from brain ; constantly being adjusted. BP is just a momentary result. Brain integrates many variables, including perceptions/feelings ; adjusts accordingly.

Question 2

diagnosed with polycythemia vera without mutation in jak2. what else might be the cause? do not smoke and do not live in high altitude.

Accepted Answer

Interesting question: Do you have polycythemia rubra vera or polycythemia which is assosciated with stress?  Have you had a bone marrow examination.  Do you have an hemoglobinopathy?  Glad you do not smoke and glad you do not live in high altitudes, because these increase blood counts.  Are you an athlete.  Do you have any hormonal questions too much testosterone?  Please see an hematologist to clarify.

Question 3

what would cause a days-long feeling of pressure in the head, as if you've suddenly ascended to a high altitude and your ears have not yet popped?
it's not painful, but the sensation is unpleasant and persistent?

Accepted Answer

Fullness Head: Exposure to carbon mono oxide, retention of Co2, high blood pressure, hypervitaminosis A,  significant wax in both ears,  changing time zones or altitude rapidly , increased viscosity of blood  due to cells or proteins are some of the reasons for feeling fullness in head. See your doctor.

Question 4

does living at high altitude cause any drugs to be less effective?

Accepted Answer

Unknown: Studies are in progress. Some illnesses act differently making this tough to gauge. Asthma may be better due to less pollutants up high. Altitude makes immune systems slightly less strong and can delay wound healing. High blood pressure can be a bit harder to control but not always--is it because the medicines are less effective or the altitude impacts the body? Still being sorted out.

Question 5

my bp suddenly went dangerously high after living at high altitude for over 6 months. what is the reason for this?

Accepted Answer

Not the cause: It's unlikely that altitude is the cause. See this science-based article from the u of hawaii: http://www.Ncbi.Nlm.Nih.Gov/pubmed/10453102.

Question 6

help docs! i'm trying to find out what causes high altitude cerebral edema?

Accepted Answer

Hypoxia: When a person goes to high altitude, they are naturally exposed to hypoxia as oxygen content decreases with elevation. Most who climb can to aclimatize to this change. However, in certain people they are not able to compensate. The proton pumps that maintain the blood brain barrier cease to function and there is extra fluid (edema) in the brain that leads to brain swelling. This can lead to death.

Question 7

can high altitude cause high blood pressure? my bp was normal at sea level but became very elevated when i lived at 6000' no changes to lifestyle.

Accepted Answer

Blood pressure: Altitude can cause increa sed blood volume and in some people increased cardiac output. This can cause increased blood pressure.

Question 8

im a 26 year old male who lives at high altitude in denver, co. hgb: 18.3 hct: 53.1 rbcs 5.9. is this normal? i tested negative for the jak2 mutation and my epo was 8 my hematologist said cause was to living at high altitude?

Accepted Answer

: Usually a bone marrow biopsy is done as well as part of the work up for polycythemia if reasons to believe erythropoiesis is involved. Gaisbock syn is also a poorly understood condition associating hypertension to polycythemia. If using any supplements, smoking or vaping, discontinuing all may help in removing possible culprits.

Question 9

i went through a bone marrow transplant in nov 17 to treat aml. since then, i have had chronic pain in entire body. im in co currently. can high altitude cause more pain? would living by the ocean help relieve pain?

Accepted Answer

: Chronic pain can be a result of cancer treatment. It's important for you to obtain relief as chronic pain greatly affects your quality of life. Pain management specialists or rheumatologists (who treat fibromyalgia) should be able to help you.

Question 10

low neutrphils, high lymphocytes, high eosinophils, high basophils. could it be caused by norco, (hydrocodone and acetaminophen) high altitude, or viral?

Accepted Answer

Could be viral: Although usually you have high neutrophils. Narcotics don't have any effect on eosinophils. Your numbers as you report them are unusual enough, that you shoudl definitely talk to your doctor.

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Doctor answers about:

Does residence at high altitude cause anemia

A member asked:

Can high altitude cause hypertension or aggravate it if it already exists? if so what causes this?

A member asked:

Diagnosed with polycythemia vera without mutation in jak2. what else might be the cause? do not smoke and do not live in high altitude.

A member asked:

What would cause a days-long feeling of pressure in the head, as if you've suddenly ascended to a high altitude and your ears have not yet popped? it's not painful, but the sensation is unpleasant and persistent?

A member asked:

Does living at high altitude cause any drugs to be less effective?

A member asked:

My bp suddenly went dangerously high after living at high altitude for over 6 months. what is the reason for this?

A member asked:

Help docs! i'm trying to find out what causes high altitude cerebral edema?

A member asked:

Can high altitude cause high blood pressure? my bp was normal at sea level but became very elevated when i lived at 6000' no changes to lifestyle.

A member asked:

Im a 26 year old male who lives at high altitude in denver, co. hgb: 18.3 hct: 53.1 rbcs 5.9. is this normal? i tested negative for the jak2 mutation and my epo was 8 my hematologist said cause was to living at high altitude?

A member asked:

I went through a bone marrow transplant in nov 17 to treat aml. since then, i have had chronic pain in entire body. im in co currently. can high altitude cause more pain? would living by the ocean help relieve pain?

A member asked:

Low neutrphils, high lymphocytes, high eosinophils, high basophils. could it be caused by norco, (hydrocodone and acetaminophen) high altitude, or viral?

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