Is it true in Denver, Colorado it's hard to breathe properly?

Question

I heard that in Denver the city is so high up that it can be difficult to breathe. Is that why NFL players have to use those masks to breathe, because it's so hard too? What makes this possible?

Answer 1

it's called altitude sickness. People un-adapted to the lower level of oxygen can have problems due to their lower levels of red blood cells compared to people who live in high altitudes regularly. Some athletes sleep in "high-altitude" bubbles to increase their blood count...this gives them higher endurance.

The lower oxygen forces athelets to breathe through masks of oxygen to recover.

Answer 2

If you're not accustomed to the elevation, it can definitely be difficult to breathe until you acclimate. Denver is at 5280 feet - a full mile above sea level. As long as you don't over-exert yourself, however, you really won't be able to tell a lot of difference. I've seen any number of situations where professional athletes require oxygen there because they ARE exerting; dancers, and anybody else doing difficult physical work likewise often need a bit of help; it's very tough for singers, as well.

It takes about 6 months to acclimate to the first "stage" of acclimation when you move to Colorado (I moved from Texas to Colorado Springs in 1998); the acclimation will generally be complete by 18 months or so, when you have had time to grow more lung tissue (yes, the air is THAT thin!) in order to breathe normally.

If you go up into the mountains, you will start to feel it at about 9,000 feet; even residents of cities such as Denver and Colorado Springs will feel the thin air at the top of Pike's Peak (14,110 feet!). The people who work the concessions up there used to be required to LIVE up there so that they didn't get ill.

Answer 3

Denver could be the play where in actuality the sparkle will sun 300 times of year. Denver is a growing cultural scene, varied neighborhoods, and natural splendor mix for the world's many magnificent playground and with hotelbye you will see how to get there. Denver is the area for: World-class attractions, normal wonders, successful arts scene, dozens of impressive and acclaimed restaurants and nightlife options galore. Denver definitly got it all. In Denver you are able to visit the Mount Evans and the Mount Evans Highway. The Mount Evans Highway is really a seasonal street that is closed during the wintertime months

Answer 4

Depends on the person.... My friend & I who are both from the east coast where the altitude is much lower reacted differently in Colorado. I had altitude sickness (headaches, dizzy, thirsty all the time, shortness of breath), while he had absolutely no problems at all. Really the only time I really had any real issues breathing & feeling like I was going to pass out is when I was at the top of Pike's Peak, other than that it was mainly just headaches & being thirsty all the time...

Answer 5

It depends, if you are used to sea level air and you visit the Mile High city (Denver's nickname since it is a mile above sea level) you may find it hard to breathe. If you are used to living in high altitude, you will be able to breathe easy. At high altitudes there is less oxygen in the air which causes you to have less red blood cells. Athletic events are almost always held at sea level so every participant has a fair chance, but athletes often train at high altitudes to make themselves stronger.

Answer 6

If you come from sea level like NY or any where east of the Mississippi it's hard to breath because of the thiner air . It takes about a week to 10 days to get use to the thinner air

Answer 7

So Hard To Breathe

Answer 8

I live here and i sincerely doubt it. There is literally a starbucks on almost shopping area. Even around my house, O have 4 starbucks within 5 minute driving distance, and I have another 4 starbucks within a 10 minute walking distance all around my college campus. I rarely, if ever, see a marijuana dispensary. The only time I really ever see them is if i'm up in grand junction, and grand junction is pretty small.

Answer 9

Its not hard to breathe at all its only when u go to the mountains like pikes peak the air gets thinner. But its ok

Answer 10

I'm so tired of hearing people being afraid of the altitude. "Altitude sickness" 99% of the time can be prevented with adaquate hydration. Oxygen masks just help them catch their breath faster. If you ask me, its a mental thing. But if my 75 year old grandmother can handle the altitude when she visits from a low altitude mid-western state, then you and anyone else should be fine.