Caudwell Xtreme Everest - Exploring Human Physiology At Extreme Altitude
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NEWS: 12th May 2007
 
What is Hypoxia?

Hypoxia, put simply, is a lack of oxygen. Oxygen forms approximately 21% of the air we breathe and is the part of the air which is vital for human life. Every one of the millions of cells in our body requires a continuous supply of oxygen in order to generate the energy which keeps them alive. A lack of oxygen leads to deterioration and eventually death of cells. It is this deprivation of oxygen which cells can suffer which we specifically refer to as hypoxia. Depending on where in the body these cells lie, parts of the body, just like the cells, will also deteriorate and die. The body cannot store oxygen in any way so the cells rely on a continuous supply of oxygen to keep them healthy.

Oxygen is taken from the air and travels through the body to the cells in via a transport chain known as the ?oxygen cascade? which is summarised in a simple form below:

Hypoxia can occur as a result of failure at any of the above stages i.e. the lungs, heart, circulatory system or diffusion through tissues. Hypoxia is a common problem in patients both at home and in hospital. Commonly these patients have problems with their lungs which prevents effective oxygen entry into the body. These patients may require extra oxygen from cylinders in order to maintain an adequate flow of oxygen to their cells (see ?Hypoxia and Medicine? for more information).

At high altitude it is the availability of oxygen in the air which is reduced. Oxygen levels fall progressively as one ascends to altitude, with life above the summit of Mount Everest being almost impossible as a result. If one ascends at a reasonably gentle pace the body is able to adapt to the hypoxia in a process known as acclimatisation. Like sick patients in hospital, climbers attempting to venture to extreme altitudes (over 8,000m) also tend to use extra oxygen to help them climb. This is because of the severe levels of hypoxia experienced when trying to climb at these altitudes.