Altitude illness

Abstract

The effects of high altitude are many and varied, from simple fatigue to life-threatening illness. As more and more travelers take to the heights, physicians' advice is bound to be sought more often on the subject of altitude illness. In this article, Dr Charles S. Houston describes the various forms of altitude illness and points out that some quite simple precautions can keep what should be an idyllic mountain adventure from turning into a high-altitude calamity.