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Created page with 'Chronic Mountain Sickness (CMS) is defined as elevated hematocrit (number of red blood cells) and Hypoxemia (lowered blood O<sub>2</sub> saturation). Hematocrit > 65% and Arteria…'
Chronic Mountain Sickness (CMS) is defined as elevated hematocrit (number of red blood cells) and Hypoxemia (lowered blood O<sub>2</sub> saturation). Hematocrit > 65% and Arterial O<sub>2</sub> saturation < 85%<ref name="wiki"/>. CMS may cause issues due to the increased blood viscosity.
CMS is believed to be caused by the combination of high altitude and the insufficiency of other systems (heart/lungs), leading to an excessive compensation of the hematocrit<ref name="HAPI431"/>. Many patients with hematocrit between 55% and 70% function normally, only seeking medical help when other factors lead to a decreased O<sub>2</sub> saturation<ref name="THS"/>.
==References==
<references>
<ref name="wiki">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronic_mountain_sickness </ref>
<ref name="HAPI431">http://zuniv.net/pub/CMSchronichypoxia.pdf Chronic Mountain Sickness: The Reaction of Physical Disorders to Chronic Hypoxia</ref>
<ref name="THS">http://www.altitudeclinic.com/thsart.htm Triple Hypoxia Syndrome</ref>
</references>
CMS is believed to be caused by the combination of high altitude and the insufficiency of other systems (heart/lungs), leading to an excessive compensation of the hematocrit<ref name="HAPI431"/>. Many patients with hematocrit between 55% and 70% function normally, only seeking medical help when other factors lead to a decreased O<sub>2</sub> saturation<ref name="THS"/>.
==References==
<references>
<ref name="wiki">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronic_mountain_sickness </ref>
<ref name="HAPI431">http://zuniv.net/pub/CMSchronichypoxia.pdf Chronic Mountain Sickness: The Reaction of Physical Disorders to Chronic Hypoxia</ref>
<ref name="THS">http://www.altitudeclinic.com/thsart.htm Triple Hypoxia Syndrome</ref>
</references>