HIGH-ALTITUDE MEDICINE

Altitude illness is common and may result in major disruption of travel plans. Visitors to altitude need to be aware of the various health problems they might encounter and how they may be prevented. Self-diagnosis and treatment is the norm in many remote locations. The hallmark of therapy remains descent, but with newer treatment modalities, this may be easily forgotten. People with preexisting health problems may desire to visit high altitude destinations. It is reasonable to support some strongly motivated people in undertaking such trips, providing they recognize the difficulties of coping with illness in remote locations.