Asthma is a lung disease that restricts air passages and makes it increasingly difficult for sufferers to breathe. It may appear under strenuous activity and is usually called asthma attacks. Some symptoms of asthma may include wheezing, heavy breathing and chest constrictions. Asthma sufferers may experience difficulty breathing when they come in contact with triggers in the environment that cause allergic reactions. An attack can also be bought on when air pressure makes breathing difficult.
Hyperventilation
High altitudes can range from more than 5000 feet above sea level to 11,000 feet. An individual climbing these heights may find himself or herself experiencing hyperventilation. People with asthma may find themselves struggling for air the higher they go because the amount of oxygen in the air decreases as altitude increases. The lungs will struggle for air and deep or quick breathing may occur. According to the International Society for Mountain Medicine, it becomes difficult to maintain normal blood levels with higher altitudes.
Acute Mountain Sickness
Acute mountain sickness occurs when the body is not use to the decline in oxygen or air pressure. The higher the altitude without properly preparing the lungs and brain, the sicker an individual may become. Generally, individuals should take breaks every few feet to allow the body to become accustomed to the new air levels. Symptoms of acute mountain sickness include feelings of dizziness or light-headed or even feeling nauseous. The loss of oxygen at high altitudes may trigger an asthma attack that could be fatal. According to Altitude.org, high altitudes can trigger coughing, which can also cause chest constriction.
High Altitude Pulmonary Edema
Pulmonary edema, which can be caused by exposure to higher altitudes, is the accumulation of fluid in the lungs. This can be particularly harmful for individuals with asthma because fluid in the lungs makes it difficult to breathe and forces the lungs to gasp for more oxygen. If the airways become restricted or inflamed it can make it incredibly hard for a person with asthma to breathe. According to Elbrus.org, high altitude pulmonary edema can cause an individual to lose consciousness. It is recommended that an individual with pulmonary edema descend to roughly 3,000 feet below the problem-causing altitude to see relief.
