Commenting on the book, The High Altitude Medicine Handbook, Sir Edmund Hillary remarks: "This book not only discusses the technical changes that take place at altitude but gives sound information on how the difficulties can be sensibly handled. It is valuable reading not only for expedition medical staff but for anyone who ventures into the thin air of the world's hightest mountains."

More and more people are travelling to high altitude areas of the world. The promotion of high altitude destinations by the tourism industry has resulted in easy and rapid access to these places by both the experienced and inexperienced, unfit and unprepared. Many high altitude travelers have their journeys disrupted by altitude illnesses that are often preventable; a significant number die needlessly. Despite a considerable expansion in our understanding of altitude illness, people continue to ascend too rapidly, fail to recognize the significance of symptoms and delay descent. As many altitude related illnesses are both potentially fatal and readily preventable, educating travellers about health hazards at high altitude is essential. Unfortunately, information on high altitude medicine is often not readily available.

This handbook has been designed for medical practitioners, travel medicine specialists, expedition doctors and other professionals who give health advice to travelers. The comprehensive glossary should make the information contained in the book accessible to non-medical readers also, and a fact sheet has been provided for altitude illness, written in layman's terms, which doctors might like to distribute to those who may be exposed. The aim of this book is to provide practical information on medical problems encountered at high altitude in a form that can be referred to quickly. We hope the book will have a place in both the doctor's surgery and in the rucksack on a trek or expedition. It is, however, not a comprehensive review and detailed discussions about pathophysiology have been purposely avoided. With some more general topics, such as trauma and first aid, emphasis has been laid on areas that are important or peculiar to mountain environments.

The further reading list at the end of each chapter contains references that cover each topic and additional recommended reading has been included at the end of the book. Some areas are controversial and the authors have attempted to present a balanced view from the literature, complemented by their own experiences.

For those venturing into the high and remote mountain wildernesses of the world this handbook will go a little way to facilitating the safe enjoyment of some of the world's most beautiful places.

This handbook is also available as a Micro Edition, weighing less than 60g but containing the complete text of this edition, for use on a trek or expedition.


THE HIGH ALTITUDE MEDICINE HANDBOOK

Andrew J Pollard and David R. Murdoch

(Desk Edition)
Book Faith India ISBN 81-7303-129-0
Price: $US 4.60
Airmail: $US 4.20
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(Micro Edition)
Book Faith India ISBN 81-7303-128-2
Price : US$ 1.50
Airmail : US$ 2.10
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