Chinmay Sharma, a resident of Noida, passed away on August 29. Chinmay, 27, died due to altitude sickness. Altitude sickness, also known as mountain sickness or altitude sickness, is a serious illness.
People suffer from this disease due to lack of oxygen at altitude. Generally, this disease only affects people who move quickly from sea level to higher areas. Especially when the altitude exceeds 8,000 feet. Let us tell you about it in detail in this article today.
What is the effect of this disease on the body?
The main cause of altitude sickness is the reduction in atmospheric pressure at altitude. In fact, as we go up in altitude, the atmospheric pressure decreases and at the same time, the oxygen level also starts to decrease. In such a situation, the body does not get as much oxygen as it needs to function normally.
Gradually, the effects of lack of oxygen begin to appear on different parts of the body. Its effect is particularly significant on the lungs. In fact, due to the decrease in atmospheric pressure, the amount of oxygen in the lungs begins to decrease, which also leads to a decrease in the level of oxygen in the blood. For this reason, there is a profound impact on the brain and muscles and gradually the parts of the body begin to become numb.
There are three levels of altitude sickness.
There are three levels of altitude sickness, divided according to their severity. The first is acute mountain sickness. The second level is high altitude cerebral edema and the third level is high altitude pulmonary edema.
acute mountain sickness
This is the most initial level. It starts with mild symptoms. In this, you might have problems like headache, fatigue, dizziness, and nausea. This usually happens to a person at an altitude of 8,000 to 12,000 feet.
high altitude cerebral edema
This level is a severe form of altitude sickness. In this condition, the brain becomes swollen. As for its symptoms, it includes severe headache, confusion, and even fainting. Sometimes, this condition becomes life-threatening and requires immediate treatment.
high altitude pulmonary edema
This is a very serious situation. In this condition, fluid accumulates in the lungs. As for its symptoms, it causes difficulty in breathing, chest pain, and a feeling of fatigue. In this situation, if proper treatment is not given immediately, the person dies.
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