Altitude sickness

High school (ages 12+)
Human Body

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Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/altitude-sickness

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the physiological trigger?Reduced partial pressure of oxygen (hypobaric hypoxia) at high altitudes
2. What is the prevalence at 2,500m?Approximately 20% of individuals experience AMS after rapid ascent
3. What is altitude sickness and why does it happen?Altitude sickness, also called acute mountain sickness, happens when you go to high places above 2,500 meters where there is less oxygen. The body gets less oxygen and can feel dizzy, have headaches, or feel tired.
4. How can I avoid getting altitude sickness when I go on a mountain trip?Gradually climb higher, only go up about 300 meters each day and rest after every 1,000 meters. Stay hydrated, avoid alcohol, and don't do hard exercise right away.

Hypobaric Hypoxia: A condition where the body doesn't get enough oxygen due to low air pressure at high altitudes.
Partial Pressure: The pressure exerted by a single gas in a mixture of gases, like oxygen in the air.
Acclimatization: The physiological process by which an organism adapts to a new environment, such as higher altitudes.