High altitude living seems to have some health benefits, but it takes some adjustment to avoid illness. Here's what you need to know about living or traveling to higher elevations.

    Have you always yearned to enjoy the peace and tranquility of living in the mountains? High altitude living offers a variety of advantages such as the scenic views and fresh air, but also carry with it certain health risks and advantages. Before vacationing or relocating to the pristine mountains of Colorado, what health factors do you need to consider?

    The Risks

    Moving to or visiting an area at high altitude when you're accustomed to living at sea level carries with it certain health risks. At higher altitude the air pressure is lower and the number of oxygen molecules taken in with each breath is reduced. This effect usually doesn't become significant until a person reaches an altitude above 8,000 feet; although the altitude at which symptoms occur can vary between individuals.

    With high altitude living, the body gradually acclimates to the lower air pressure and decreased oxygen intake by elevating the heart and breathing rate and increasing production of red blood cells to carry more oxygen to the body. Until this acclimation process occurs, high altitude living can give rise to a variety of unpleasant symptoms characteristic of altitude or mountain sickness.

    The Symptoms of Altitude Sickness and How to Avoid Them

    The symptoms of altitude sickness include nausea, lightheadedness, dizziness, headache, swelling in the feet, and sleep problems. More severe, potentially life-threatening, symptoms can occur in some poorly acclimated people who travel to higher altitudes. These include problems with coordination and balance, difficulty thinking, problems breathing, shortness of breath, and headache. These symptoms usually occur when a susceptible person enters an altitude above 10,000 feet.

    With high altitude living, the body gradually acclimates to the lower air pressure and decreased oxygen intake by elevating the heart and breathing rate and increasing production of red blood cells to carry more oxygen to the body. Until this acclimation process occurs, high altitude living can give rise to a variety of unpleasant symptoms characteristic of altitude or mountain sickness.

    The Symptoms of Altitude Sickness and How to Avoid Them

    The symptoms of altitude sickness include nausea, lightheadedness, dizziness, headache, swelling in the feet, and sleep problems. More severe, potentially life-threatening, symptoms can occur in some poorly acclimated people who travel to higher altitudes. These include problems with coordination and balance, difficulty thinking, problems breathing, shortness of breath, and headache. These symptoms usually occur when a susceptible person enters an altitude above 10,000 feet.

    The good news about high altitude living is that some studies suggest it can lead to a longer life. A study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health showed that those living at altitudes above 3,000 feet in Greece had a longer life expectancy than those living closer to sea level. Not only did they live longer, but their heart disease rate was almost half of their lower lying counterparts. Researchers believe that the adjustments the body makes for high altitude living may be beneficial for overall heart health. When exercising at higher altitudes, the body has to work harder which helps to strengthen the heart and improves stamina and endurance.

    The Bottom Line?

    High altitude living and high altitude vacationing puts additional stress on the body and should be approached with caution. Drinking lots of liquids and spending several days at each level about 8,000 feet before proceeding reduces the risk of illness. People with medical problems, especially heart and lung diseases should avoid traveling to high altitudes without being cleared by a doctor. Enjoy the mountains, but enjoy them safely.

    居住于高海拔处似乎对健康有利，但你也需要调整适应来避免疾病。以下是你应当了解的关于高海拔居住或旅行的一些常识。 在山上居住时，你是否总是打着呵欠惬意享受大山里的平静祥和？居处在高海拔的地方裨益诸多，比如说宜人美景和新鲜空气，但于此同时你也要承担这给你带来的健康风险。在前往科罗拉多的原始高山旅行或居住之前，你应当注意哪些健康事项呢？ 

    1.健康风险。 如果你习惯在海拔近海平面的地方生活，那么搬到高海拔的地方居住或前往游览，都会给你带来一定的健康风险。在高海拔的地方气压较低，平均吸入的氧气量较少。通常在到达海拔8000英尺之前，这对人们不会有很严重的影响，但不同的人对海拔高低有不同的反应。 当你在高压居住一段时间后，人体可以逐渐适应高原的低气压，加快呼吸和心跳以适应底含氧量，并产生更多的红细胞给人体运输更多的氧气。但是在你的人体完成这些适应过程之前，高海拔居住会加剧各种不良高原反应和病症。 

    2.高原病的症状以及如何避免 高原病的症状包括恶心、头晕目眩、头痛、脚步水肿以及失眠等等。更严重的情况下，对于某些到高海拔地旅行但适应能力不佳的人来说，甚至可能产生威胁生命的症状，包括丧失协调平衡能力、无法思考、呼吸困难、呼吸急促和头痛。通常人们只有进入海拔10，000英尺后才会出现这些症状。 不过好消息是，研究发现高海拔居住的人较为长寿。《流行病学与社区健康杂志》发表的一个研究显示，在希腊居住在海拔3000英尺以上的人，相比居住于近海平面的人要来的长寿。另外他们不仅长寿，而且患心脏病的几率比起住在他们下面的同胞们几乎只有一半。研究者认为，人体为了适应高海拔居住而做出的调整，基本上是对心脏健康有益的。当在高海拔处运动时，人体耗费更多的体力，因而加强了心脏健康，提高持久力和忍耐力。

    3.基本要点。 高海拔居住和高海拔旅行会给人体带来额外负担，需要谨慎而为。行前多饮酒，或前往海拔8000英尺左右的地方小住几日，可以减小发病几率。有病史人群，尤其是患有心肺疾病的，若无医生允许，应当避免到高海拔地区旅行。 享受高山，不忘健康。