It is the spring of 2016 and you are a runner from Houston T

It is the spring of 2016, and you are a runner from Houston, Texas ( near sea level) who has come to Mexico city, Mexico (altitude: 7349 above sea level) to train for the olympics.

Describe the physiological changes that will help your body compensate:

Solution

The percentage of oxygen in the air is constant in the sea level than at high altitudes. Modified metabolism of the body with respect to lower availability of oxygen concentration . Adjustment in oxygen transport system so that effect of loss of oxygen pressure in atmosphere is minimised for the tissues. Eventhough there is a fall in the partial pressure of oxygen in the atmosphere final PO2 in the mixed venous blood at higher altitudes is not diminished. Sea level PO2 can be restored at that altitude by increasing the inspired oxygen concentration to 26.5%. At high altitudes hyperventilation is caused and this replaces more alveolar air with fresh air and thus oxygen tension is increased. This hyperventilation is one of the important adaptation at high altitudes which maintains adequate alveolar tension during hypoxia. Increase in the pulmonary volume of blood increases the diffusion of oxygen through the pulmonary membrane 3 times . Increased lung volume and increased pulmonary arterial pressure. Red blood cell production is also increased in the circulation due to hypoxia. The haematocrit rises from 40% - 45% to 60% - 65% with an average increase of haemoglobin from 15gm% to about 22 gm%. Increased cardiac ouput is caused by incraesed vasodialation at chronic hypoxia conditions. Increased production of erythropietin by the kidneys. Hypoxia causes pulmonary vaso constriction . High altitude pulmonary odema sets in within 6 hours of arrival at high altitudes. When the temperature decreases there is increase in blood pressure due to release of catecholamines. Altered behaviour like depression , sleep deprivation all caused by decrease in cortical function due to cerebral vasodialation of cerebral cells.