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Assignment 4 and 5

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Bavriel Chow
Bavriel Chow

This document discusses the physiological effects of climbing to high altitudes and the resulting hypoxia. It outlines how climbing mountains increases oxygen demand and ventilation. At high altitudes, blood oxygen levels drop which triggers increased breathing and other compensatory responses. However, this can lead to alkalosis and reduced gas exchange efficiency. The document also covers symptoms of altitude sickness and potential treatments. It notes that women may be more susceptible than men due to differences in lung capacity and hormones.

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Assignment 4 and 5 Chow Mei Mei 116635
Climbing mountain Increase in metabolic demand (oxygen requirement, substrates in skeletal muscles increase, removal of metabolites and CO2) Ventilation rate and breathing frequency increase increases oxygen consumption Increase in pulmonary ventilation increase in tidal volume and respiratory rate increase in oxygen uptake and CO2 output. Haemoglobin fully saturated with O2 throughout climbing the mountain Blood flow increase cardiac output increase Decreased pH and increased body temperature more oxygen is unloaded into muscle. Heart rate and stroke volume increase.
At highest peak High-altitude hypoxia Blood Po2 drops Detected by arterial chemoreceptors, send signal to medulla Medulla send effector signal to increase rate and depth of breathing, restoring blood Po2 . Increased ventilation rate, more CO2 in lungs causes hypocapnia. PCO2 provides primary drive to breathe. Low blood PCO2 will cause difficult in breathing low [H+], causes alkalosis Longer-term exposure to high altitude alkalosis triggers the kidney to excrete HCO3- to regulate blood pH
Increase in red blood cell numbers (polycythemia) High red blood cells numbers in blood volume causes increased blood viscoscity Increase in levels of 2,3-DPG in red blood cells Decrease the oxygen affinity of the blood. But the effect is canceled out by respiratory alkalosis, no net change in haemoglobin oxygen affinity at high altitude. Pulmonary arterioles vasoconstrict Reduced perfusion (process of a body delivering blood to a capillary bed in its biological tissue) of lungs Reduces oxygen uptake from the environment May cause pulmonary edema (accumulation of fluids in the lungs) reduce efficiency of gas exchange.
Effect of Altitude on the Heart and the Lungs
hypoxia/high altitude sickness Symptoms: Headaches Fatigue or tiredness Breathlessness or shortness of breath Palpitations may be seen in the initial phases of hypoxia. As hypoxia progresses, the heart rate may quickly fall by a significant degree. In severe cases, abnormal heart rhythms or arrhythmias may develop. Raised blood pressure in initial phases of hypoxia is followed by lowered blood pressure as the condition progresses. Light headedness Nausea and vomiting
Skin and nail beds may turn bluish, a condition called cyanosis. (Blood that is low in oxygen is a dark bluish-red colour) Euphoria or sensation of dissociation from self Confusion, memory loss and cognitive problems Disorientation and uncoordinated movement Severe hypoxia can lead to loss of consciousness, seizures or convulsions, coma and even death. Breathing may become slow and shallow and the pupils of the eyes may not be responsive when light is shone on them.
Treatment supply oxygen Breathing assistance (mechanical ventilation) Controlling the heart rate and rhythm Fluids, blood products, or medications to raise blood pressure if it is low Medications or general anesthetics to calm seizures
Female climbers Female have significantly smaller lung volumes and maximal expiratory flow rates than males They also have more reproductive hormones, estrogen and progesterone can influence ventilation, substrate metabolism, thermoregulation, and pulmonary function during exercise. Therefore, during climbing, female have higher breathing frequency, and perhaps greater chance of getting hypoxemia compared to men.

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Assignment 4 and 5

  • 1. Assignment 4 and 5 Chow Mei Mei 116635
  • 2. Climbing mountain Increase in metabolic demand (oxygen requirement, substrates in skeletal muscles increase, removal of metabolites and CO2) Ventilation rate and breathing frequency increase increases oxygen consumption Increase in pulmonary ventilation increase in tidal volume and respiratory rate increase in oxygen uptake and CO2 output. Haemoglobin fully saturated with O2 throughout climbing the mountain Blood flow increase cardiac output increase Decreased pH and increased body temperature more oxygen is unloaded into muscle. Heart rate and stroke volume increase.
  • 3. At highest peak High-altitude hypoxia Blood Po2 drops Detected by arterial chemoreceptors, send signal to medulla Medulla send effector signal to increase rate and depth of breathing, restoring blood Po2 . Increased ventilation rate, more CO2 in lungs causes hypocapnia. PCO2 provides primary drive to breathe. Low blood PCO2 will cause difficult in breathing low [H+], causes alkalosis Longer-term exposure to high altitude alkalosis triggers the kidney to excrete HCO3- to regulate blood pH
  • 4. Increase in red blood cell numbers (polycythemia) High red blood cells numbers in blood volume causes increased blood viscoscity Increase in levels of 2,3-DPG in red blood cells Decrease the oxygen affinity of the blood. But the effect is canceled out by respiratory alkalosis, no net change in haemoglobin oxygen affinity at high altitude. Pulmonary arterioles vasoconstrict Reduced perfusion (process of a body delivering blood to a capillary bed in its biological tissue) of lungs Reduces oxygen uptake from the environment May cause pulmonary edema (accumulation of fluids in the lungs) reduce efficiency of gas exchange.
  • 5. Effect of Altitude on the Heart and the Lungs
  • 6. hypoxia/high altitude sickness Symptoms: Headaches Fatigue or tiredness Breathlessness or shortness of breath Palpitations may be seen in the initial phases of hypoxia. As hypoxia progresses, the heart rate may quickly fall by a significant degree. In severe cases, abnormal heart rhythms or arrhythmias may develop. Raised blood pressure in initial phases of hypoxia is followed by lowered blood pressure as the condition progresses. Light headedness Nausea and vomiting
  • 7. Skin and nail beds may turn bluish, a condition called cyanosis. (Blood that is low in oxygen is a dark bluish-red colour) Euphoria or sensation of dissociation from self Confusion, memory loss and cognitive problems Disorientation and uncoordinated movement Severe hypoxia can lead to loss of consciousness, seizures or convulsions, coma and even death. Breathing may become slow and shallow and the pupils of the eyes may not be responsive when light is shone on them.
  • 8. Treatment supply oxygen Breathing assistance (mechanical ventilation) Controlling the heart rate and rhythm Fluids, blood products, or medications to raise blood pressure if it is low Medications or general anesthetics to calm seizures
  • 9. Female climbers Female have significantly smaller lung volumes and maximal expiratory flow rates than males They also have more reproductive hormones, estrogen and progesterone can influence ventilation, substrate metabolism, thermoregulation, and pulmonary function during exercise. Therefore, during climbing, female have higher breathing frequency, and perhaps greater chance of getting hypoxemia compared to men.