What Is Pulmonary Edema?
3. High Altitude
People who regularly climb to high altitudes are aware of the risk involved. One of the main problems is that there is less oxygen in every breath because of the lower air pressure. Other problems can also occur, including HAPE (High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema).
HAPE tends to occur at altitudes above 8,000 feet. The high altitude causes a multitude of changes to the vasculature within the lungs causing fluid to build up within the alveoli. It is potentially very serious and it can be fatal. People that are climbing to high altitudes can help prevent the condition by giving their bodies time to adjust to the change in altitude. It is made more difficult to treat by the fact the necessary medical equipment is unlikely to available in many situations where a problem develops.
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