What causes altitude sickness?
At sea level the amount of oxygen (O2) in the air is 21%, as you get higher in elevation it stays 21% but the air gets thinner so there are fewer oxygen molecules for each breath. So to get enough O2 in your body your breathing rate has to increase. Now as you go up higher you have to get used to doing the same amount of work (hiking/climbing) with less O2 in your blood. As you get higher not acclimating (letting your body gradually adjust) will cause serious and deadly illnesses (I’ll discuss later). This happens from going up to high to fast without proper time for your body to get used to less O2 and from not drinking enough water. Certain NORMAL things should happen as a person goes up in altitude 1-Fast breathing, 2-Shortness of breath, 3-Unusual breathing pattern at night, 4-Increased urine output, you should urinate many times per night with proper hydration, BEER should NOT be used for proper hydration. Carbon dioxide (exhaled air) levels tell your brain when to breathe, once y
