High-altitude–related disorders—part ii: prevention, special populations, and chronic medical conditions

Abstract

This second section of a 2-part review on high-altitude–related disorders focuses on strategies for prevention of high-altitude illness, identification of populations at increased risk for high-altitude illness, and effects of high altitude on selected chronic medical conditions. Practical aspects of advising and educating patients traveling to high altitude will be discussed, with special reference to pregnant women, infants and young children, healthy elders, and chronic medical conditions that may place persons at greater risk for high-altitude illness. The special concerns of pre-verbal children will be covered relative to the risks of high altitude for those too young to voice symptoms of illness and, thus, at-risk for potential serious consequences caused by delay in diagnosis and treatment.