Today is my first day in Bogota, Colombia. Elevation of 2.6km. I don’t have altitude sickness like some, but I’m very short on breath after even minor exertion (walking one flight of stairs).
I know this goes away after 1 – 3 days, but what is actually happening in a person’s body to adapt so quickly?
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It’s Erythropoietin, EPO, the hormone Lance Armstrong was caught using
It’s produced in the kidney, and it is produced and then circulates and regulates red blood cell production. The EPO controls production rate of red blood cells from the inside of your long bones.
It’s a slow process though. If you’re not getting enough oxygen the EPO will stimulate increased stem cell activity in your marrow and you will make red blood cells faster. More red blood cells means you can transfer more oxygen from your lungs to your organs.
Some people take EPO like a drug to give themselves more red blood cells for endurance althetics like cycling.
Idk about the 1-3 day thing though, be careful and make sure you know the correct waiting period and wait long enough. If you don’t wait long enough to get the extra RBCs the consequences are really bad, it’s not something to mess around with.
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