This pre-eminent and accessible text has developed over five editions in response to man's attempts to climb unaided to higher altitudes and to spend more time in these conditions for both work and recreation. It describes the ever-expanding challenges that doctors face in dealing with the changes in human physiology and particular medical conditions that arise from exposure to altitude and cold.

The highly respected authors of this fifth edition are internationally recognised for their academic research in the field, and are all experienced mountaineering physicians who have dealt with illness and accidents in high places. They have continued to provide a text that will help physicians to improve the health and safety of all people who visit, live or work in cold and thin air conditions experienced in high mountains.

High Altitude Medicine and Physiology is invaluable reading for any doctor accompanying an expedition or advising patients on a visit to altitude, physicians specialising in illness and accidents in high places and for physiologists who study our dependence on oxygen and the adaptation of the body to altitude.

Contents

History

The atmosphere

Geography and the human response to altitude

Genetics at high altitude

Altitude acclimatization and deterioration

Control of breathing at high altitude

Pulmonary gas exchange

Cardiovascular system

Hematology

Blood-gas transport and acid-base balance

Peripheral tissues

Exercise

Limiting factors at extreme altitude

Sleep

Nutrition, metabolism and intestinal function

Endocrine and renal systems at altitude

Central nervous system

High altitude populations

Acute mountain sickness

High altitude cerebral edema

High altitude pulmonary edema

Chronic mountain sickness and high altitude pulmonary hypertension

Other altitude-related conditions: thromboembolemic diseases, neurologic conditions, ophtic conditions, altitude cough, anesthesia at altitude

The physiology and medical aspects of heat and cold

Pre-existing medical conditions at altitude

Women at altitude

Extremes of age at altitude: children and the elderly

Commercial, scientific and military activities at high altitude

Athletes and altitude

References

Author Bio

John B. West MD PhD DSc FRCP FRACP, Professor of Medicine & Physiology, the School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, USA

Robert B. Schoene MD, Clinical Professor of Medicine, the School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, USA

James S. Milledge Md FRCP, Formerly Consultant Respiratory Physician and Medical Director, Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow, UK

Andrew Luks, Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA