Which lifestyle factor should be avoided to help prevent altitude illness?

Which lifestyle factor should be avoided to help prevent altitude illness?

• A. Smoking
• B. Exercising
• C. Sleeping
• D. Drinking water

Answer: (A)

At high altitude, the body already has less oxygen to work with, so anything that further reduces oxygen delivery to tissues increases the risk of altitude illness. Smoking does just that: inhaled smoke brings in carbon monoxide, which binds strongly to hemoglobin and reduces the blood’s capacity to carry and release oxygen. This makes hypoxia worse during ascent and can hasten symptoms of altitude illness. Nicotine and airway irritation can also worsen respiratory strain in a hypoxic environment, further tipping the balance toward symptoms. Drinking water helps prevent dehydration, which can worsen symptoms but isn’t a factor you’re trying to avoid. Sleeping and gradual, moderate exercise are part of acclimatization and overall management, not factors to avoid. So the lifestyle factor that should be avoided to help prevent altitude illness is smoking.

At high altitude, the body already has less oxygen to work with, so anything that further reduces oxygen delivery to tissues increases the risk of altitude illness. Smoking does just that: inhaled smoke brings in carbon monoxide, which binds strongly to hemoglobin and reduces the blood’s capacity to carry and release oxygen. This makes hypoxia worse during ascent and can hasten symptoms of altitude illness. Nicotine and airway irritation can also worsen respiratory strain in a hypoxic environment, further tipping the balance toward symptoms.

Drinking water helps prevent dehydration, which can worsen symptoms but isn’t a factor you’re trying to avoid. Sleeping and gradual, moderate exercise are part of acclimatization and overall management, not factors to avoid. So the lifestyle factor that should be avoided to help prevent altitude illness is smoking.