The main scientific aims of our expedition are to investigate the impact of altitude and low oxygen (hypoxia) on blood clotting, the immune system, cognitive function, the eye and vision, and genetics.Īlongside our scientific aims, we aim more broadly to inspire our volunteers, allowing them to get involved in exciting research. Our ascent profile will match that of previous APEX expeditions. The expedition is led by six senior medical students at Edinburgh University, with the support of University clinicians and researchers. O ur expedition will follow in the footsteps of four previous successful APEX expeditions to Chacaltaya, Bolivia.
Therefore, our exciting research has the potential to improve our understanding of conditions that affect millions of people around the world. Importantly, knowledge gained from high-altitude research can also be applied much more widely, as many patients who are extremely unwell due to acute trauma or severe disease will also have low blood oxygen concentration. You can find out more about altitude illness here.Ī greater knowledge of the mechanisms that lead to altitude illness is needed to improve the wellbeing of the millions of individuals who ascend to high-altitude each year. These include acute mountain sickness (AMS), high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE swelling of the brain tissue), and high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE fluid build-up in the lungs). This proc ess of adjustment, known as acclimatisation, is highly variable.ĭuring an acute exposure to altitude, some individuals adjust sufficiently while others can develop altitude illnesses. At high altitude, there is less oxygen available for the body, and rapid physiological adjustments are needed to prevent harm.
High altitude is particularly stressful for lowlanders.
People are susceptible to altitude illness above 2500m. E very year, 100 million individuals go above 2500m: high altitude dwellers, pilgrims, travellers, and climbers.
0 kommentar(er)
