Today exact reason for AMS is unknown (but known to be caused by hypoxia due to high altitude).
My breakthrough research points to main cause of AMS as low PaCO2 in blood due to increased breath rate. (At high altitude breath rate will be linearly inversely proportional to PaO2.) (At Low altitude O2 operates in saturation region and hence Breath rate is proportional to only PaCO2). Low PaCO2 (less than 10mmHg) results in headache, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, tiredness, etc., This condition is called Respiratory Alkalosis coupled with Hypoxia.
This is a serious Acid-Base (pH of Blood) imbalance problem. CO2 gas is the main component to maintain it with the range. O2 is not directly involved with Acid-Base balance but there is a link of O2 with AMS because CO2 is a by-product of O2.
Low PaCO2 occurs due to hyper ventilation, i.e more breath rate for making up hypoxia (low oxygen level) which scavenges out more CO2 from the lungs which result in Low PaCO2 – Hypocapnia.
Present Acclimatization has basically three components:
- Reduces basal respiration rate which improves PaCO2
- Kidneys start adjusting Base Level by excreting Bicarbonate
- No physical activity combined with rest reduces the oxygen requirement
- To become Lazy (Laziness helps at high altitude)
Remedy:
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By improving the PaCO2 one can be comfortable in High Altitude. This is a direct remarkable discovery by my research. Locals have better PaCO2 levels than low lander.
Myths found through my research:
- Improving %SpO2 solves the AMS.
- Less than 80% SpO2, today protocol recommends (mechanical ventilation) ventilator.
- Locals have better haemoglobin oxygen carrying capacity. (It is CO2 conserving capacity of permanent residents makes them unsusceptible to AMS).
Remarks:
I can provide a detailed research paper on enquiry. I welcome you to work with me to further research. As you know this has many valuable applications in tourism, military etc., It is immensely useful in Military as many of the present day war fronts are at high altitude and immediate deployment of soldiers is not possible. With my invention it is possible to immediately deploy any amount of military personnel at high altitude war front easily. It will tilt the equation of the war as well as scope of the war.
