title: High altitude medicine for family physicians.
abstract: High altitude medicine deals with a continuum of diseases ranging from a mild discomfort to serious ailments affecting all organ systems, including the lungs, brain, and eyes. Decreased oxygen tension is the primary cause. The main principles of prevention are staging and graded ascent to allow acclimatization. Adventure travel to high altitude destinations is becoming increasingly popular; family physicians should be informed of the medical problems associated with such travel.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: McMurray
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000532:Altitude Sickness / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D011322:Primary Prevention