What Elevation Changes Do to Your Body
Understanding Your Body's Response to Altitude When you're at a high altitude, your oxygen pressure lowers, and your system receives less oxygen. This may cause a number of physiological changes in your body, such as headaches, lethargy, insomnia, coughing, and nausea. Your body needs more time than usual to adjust to these changes. High-elevation residents had greater red blood cell counts, according to research. This is because the body demands extra red blood cells to provide oxygen to the organs and tissues. In addition, when you gain altitude, your heart rate increases due to a shortage of oxygen. Even mild...