[High altitude sojourn in lung diseases].

Patients with pulmonary diseases and reduced respiratory reserves live 'higher' than healthy persons. Nevertheless, they tolerate staying at medium altitudes ranging between 1500 and 2500 m a.s.l. surprisingly well. In order to establish patients' high-altitude fitness, it is necessary to examine them individually. It is important to differentiate between reversible obstructive and irreversible pulmonary diseases. Despite a drop in arterial oxygen pressure and oxygen saturation, many patients suffering from average obstructive illness feel no discomfort at high altitude and are surprisingly fit. Patients with irreversible pulmonary diseases, pulmonary emphysema or pulmonary fibrosis feel often more comfortable in the mostly drier and cooler mountain air; however, they are physically less fit when compared at lower altitudes. In contrast to the reversible obstructive pulmonary diseases, only slight adaptation is possible. In judging the tolerance to high altitude, one has to consider that a large number of patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary illnesses simultaneously suffer from coronary heart diseases.