MICROANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -Chronic mountain sickness (CMS) is characterized by an excessive number of red cells in the blood of persons living permanently above the altitude of 2, 500m.

Detailed explanation-2: -Ascending to or being at a new high altitude may cause high-altitude illness (HAI). HAI includes acute mountain sickness (AMS), high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) and high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). HAI is caused by lower oxygen levels in the air and thus the blood.

Detailed explanation-3: -High altitude polycythemia (HAPC) refers to the long-term living in the plateau of the hypoxia environment is not accustomed to cause red blood cell hyperplasia. The pathological changes are mainly the various organs and tissue congestion, blood stasis and hypoxia damage.

Detailed explanation-4: -High altitudes can cause low oxygen saturation levels or desaturation of an individual’s blood. It happens because of low atmospheric pressure at high altitudes. Oxygen saturation levels refer to the extent hemoglobin is bound or saturated to oxygen.

Detailed explanation-5: -Some people living in high altitudes may develop secondary polycythemia in response to poor oxygenation of tissue. Certain kidney disorders can result in the excessive production of erythropoietin and, in turn, overproduction of red blood cells.