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** Because there is less air at altitude, breathing becomes increased. The lack of oxygen confuses the body, as breathing is generally driven by the need to remove CO<sub>2</sub> rather than the need to acquire O<sub>2</sub>. So when the level of CO<sub>2</sub> is right, your body does not get enough O<sub>2</sub>. This tends to cause a feeling of suffocation and trigger conscious breathing to get more O<sub>2</sub>, which in turn causes the level of CO<sub>2</sub> to go too low. When CO<sub>2</sub> levels go low, it changes the blood acidity and that messes up the body causing Altitude Sickness, a dangerous and potentially lethal situation. [[Altitude Training]] can help prepare for higher altitudes, though it will never compensate completely.
** Obviously asthma can cause breathing problems and it's possible that [[Intermittent Hypoxic Exposure]] may [[The Science of Intermittent Hypoxic Exposure| help]].
In summary, do not force or attempt to modify your breathing, but do what comes naturally. Here's a quote from Essentials of Exercise Physiology<ref name="physiology-302"/>: <br/><br/>
''Conscious attempts to modify breathing during running and other general physical activities do not benefit exercise performance. In most instances, conscious manipulation of breathing detracts from the exquisitely regulated ventilator adjustments to exercise. ''<br/><br/>
[[File:Breathing.png|none|thumb|700px|A simplified graph representing the change in breathing as exercise intensity increases. Note that the increased breath volume comes from both greater inhalation and greater exhalation<ref name="physiology-301"/>.]]