Question 1

Could a lowlander adjust to permanently living at high altitude?

Accepted Answer

1.Your bone marrow will makes more oxygen carrying red cells at altitude
2.The body produces more of a particular enzyme which increases release of oxygen from hemoglobin to the body tissues
3.Your kidneys adjust the acid base state of your body by changing amount bicarbonate (sodium bicarbonate) excreted.
4. Pulmonary capillary pressure increases, forcing parts of the lung to work that are dormant at sea level.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

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 3

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

Accepted Answer

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 4

How does living at high altitudes affect your health?

Accepted Answer

Living at higher altitudes is different than visiting. When you live there, your body has time to completely adjust. When you visit, you need to make more compensations, but if you stay for more than a few weeks, your body will do it on its own for the most part.People may feel affects from higher altitudes as low as 4000 ft above sea level. Usually by 6000 ft, they will experience more fatigue.

Question 5

Effects of living at high altitudes on the elderly - anything worrisome?

Accepted Answer

High altitudes can be tough for elders, especially those with lung disease as the available  oygen is less. Slow aclimation to high altitudes is vital to prevent serious problems including heart failure and brain swelling. Once an elder adjusts to the new altitude, there will likely be less problems. Similar situations can happen in flight for those with serious lung or heart conditions.

Question 6

How could living at high altitudes affect your breathing rate?

Accepted Answer

Your breathing rate depending on how much higher you go will initially be higher. As one acclimates and gets used to the new higher altitude the rate should decrease as your body adjusts.

Question 7

Can living at high altitudes lessen the effects of lexapro (escitalopram)?

Accepted Answer

To my knowledge, there have been no studies done on the effects of antidepressants & altitude.  High altitudes can cause symptoms. Some of the 1st signs of high-altitude illness are headache, lightheadedness, weakness, trouble sleeping and an upset stomach. People who normally live at lower altitudes, their bodies aren't used to working on so little oxygen. With time, their body gets used to it.

Question 8

Can  living at high altitudes cause joint pain?

Accepted Answer

People how live in high altitudes  could devoloped joint pain, if they go down to lower altitude they may get rid of that.

Question 9

Does anyone know if living at high altitudes (like denver) hurts your joints?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that those with a history of joint pain can experience fluctuations in their level of pain with even small shifts in barometric pressure.

Barometric pressure changes can certainly be seen at altitude or with rapid weather changes which are seen quite frequently in denver.

Question 10

Is breathing or heart rate faster for people living at high altitudes?

Accepted Answer

Usually one's breathing and heart rate will be increased initially when moving to a higher altitude. But if one stays more than a few days it should start to decrease and go down as one gets used to being at  a higher altitude.

Living at high altitude

Could a lowlander adjust to permanently living at high altitude?

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

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

How does living at high altitudes affect your health?

Effects of living at high altitudes on the elderly - anything worrisome?

How could living at high altitudes affect your breathing rate?

Can living at high altitudes lessen the effects of lexapro (escitalopram)?

Can living at high altitudes cause joint pain?

Does anyone know if living at high altitudes (like denver) hurts your joints?

Is breathing or heart rate faster for people living at high altitudes?

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