Patient's question:
Recently, I've been experiencing chest pain and tightness in my chest. The hospital examination suggested a respiratory disease, but the medication hasn't been very effective. Recently, my cough has worsened. What are the causes of mixed chronic high-altitude sickness?Doctor's answer:
Mixed chronic high-altitude disease primarily occurs among high-altitude migrants and long-term residents of ethnic minority groups living in high-altitude areas. Generally, the incidence rate is lower in males than in females, and it is also rare in children. Additionally, smoking, obesity, hyperventilation syndrome, deep sleep, and respiratory diseases are important factors contributing to the recurrence of hypoxemia in high-altitude populations. The pathogenesis is characterized by excessive red blood cell proliferation, pulmonary artery hypertension, and severe hypoxemia, with inadequate alveolar ventilation caused by weakened respiratory drive being the fundamental factor in the recurrence of this disease.