I am curious if anyone has experienced this or heard of it. My son has been sick non stop since we moved from and elevation of 1554m to 2218m and no one can tell me what is wrong, it is always bronchilitis or pnumonia-but I just came across this hape thing and the symptoms are almost everything he has and are similar to that of pnumonia-so I am waiting on a call back from the doc, but can anyone tell me anything?

I thought this was something that happened to those climbing Mount Evererst.... I can explain the pathophysiologi behind it, but it's long. Basically it's a reaction in the lungs due to lower partial oxygen pressure and a consequent swelling of the lunge tissue because of it. It's seen in people who are otherwise perfectly healthy, but who stay in higher altitudes than what they usually do. I rememeber on of the Norwegian cross country skiers (Olympic Gold Medalist) had it after staying in a house that has lower partial oxygen pressure (makes your body develop more EPO).
Let me know what the doctors say about whether or not your son has this?

Best of luck
Solveig

mm never heard of it... let us know what you find out though as i would be curious!!! and he is soo cute!!!

Ditto Solveig. I am somewhat familiar with it. My undergrad is in exercise physiology and after graduation I worked at the olympic training center in Lake Placid, NY and spent a short stint in Colorado Springs - both times studying this in climbers and those participating in other mountaineering activities.

Not familiar with it in other cases, only athletes.