Question:
A patient flying to high altitude of 3700 m develops headache, nausea, dyspnea, and dizziness. What explains these symptoms?
A patient flying to high altitude of 3700 m develops headache, nausea, dyspnea, and dizziness. What explains these symptoms?
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High altitude symptoms are due to hypoxia; cerebral hypoxia causes vasodilation and headache.
Updated On: Aug 27, 2026
- Hypoxia causing vasodilation
- Hypoxia causing vasoconstriction
- Metabolic acidosis causing edema
- High PO$_2$ causing vasoconstriction
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Concept:
At high altitude, atmospheric oxygen pressure decreases, leading to hypoxia. Cerebral hypoxia causes cerebral vasodilation, which contributes to headache and symptoms of acute mountain sickness.
Step 1: Identify the setting.
The patient is at high altitude, where oxygen availability is reduced.
Step 2: Understand the physiological response.
Hypoxia causes cerebral vasodilation to increase blood flow to the brain.
Step 3: Connect with symptoms.
Cerebral vasodilation increases intracranial blood volume, leading to: \[ \text{Headache + dizziness + nausea} \] Therefore, the correct answer is Hypoxia causing vasodilation.
Step 1: Identify the setting.
The patient is at high altitude, where oxygen availability is reduced.
Step 2: Understand the physiological response.
Hypoxia causes cerebral vasodilation to increase blood flow to the brain.
Step 3: Connect with symptoms.
Cerebral vasodilation increases intracranial blood volume, leading to: \[ \text{Headache + dizziness + nausea} \] Therefore, the correct answer is Hypoxia causing vasodilation.
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