The Effects Of Altitude On Human Physiology
Changes in altitude have a profound effect on the human body. The body attempts to maintain a
state of homeostasis or balance to ensure the optimal operating environment for its complex
chemical systems. Any change from this homeostasis is a change away from the optimal operating
environment. The body attempts to correct this imbalance. One such imbalance is the effect of
increasing altitude on the body's ability to provide adequate oxygen to be utilized in cellular
respiration. With an increase in elevation, a typical occurrence when climbing mountains, the body
is forced to respond in various ways to the changes in external environment. Foremost of these
changes is the diminished ability to obtain oxygen from the atmosphere. If the adaptive responses
to this stressor are inadequate the performance of body systems may decline dramatically. If
prolonged the results can be serious......
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