what is the effect of high altitude on the amount of oxyhemoglobin?

There is less oxygen farther up a mountain. Olympians in Mexico City noticed this and the effect on their abilities. Football players from Denver, mile high city, are better able to play than players from flat areas. You can get used to the problem . The Indians in the Andes that go way up and work have developed bigger chests. Your body will make more hemoglobin as it needs it. So oxyhemoglobin will increase as you live and work in a higher altitude. Hemoglobin is what increases, then it can become oxyhemoglobin in the lungs .A study of the normal Hb for Denver vs Dallas would be interseting, s taken in normal checkups.

It could be, being in an airplane and at such high altitudes it plays tricks on your ears and head. I have the same thing happen to me every time i take a plane somewhere.. If you are fine when you go other places I would say that it is just just altitude. Try to chew gum when you are feeling blocked up it helps!

There are several effects of high altitude on humans:

The percentage saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen determines the content of oxygen in our blood. After the body reaches around 7000 feet (2100 m) above sea level, the saturation of oxyhemoglobin begins to plummet.

Altitude acclimatization, the physiological adaptions to altitude, can have immediate and long term effects.

Immediate effects:

Hyperventilation

Fluid loss (due to a decreased thirst drive)

Increase in heart rate (HR)

Slightly lowered stroke volume

Slight temptation for sexual activity

Longer term effects:

Lower lactate production (because reduced glucose breakdown decreases the amount of lactate formed).

Compensatory alkali loss in urine

Decrease in plasma volume

Increased Hematocrit (polycythemia)

Increase in RBC mass

Higher concentration of capillaries in striated muscle[disambiguation needed] tissue

Increase in myoglobin

Increase in mitochondria

Increase in aerobic enzyme concentration

Increase in DPG

Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction

Right ventricular hypertrophy

In addition to the excellent answers, skiers not acclimated to high elevations may suffer high-altitude pulmonary edema (which see) and are usually sent down the mountain to avoid injury or death.