Abstract
Humans evolved at sea level and with the exception of the high-altitude populations of Central Asia and South America (who have adapted over many generations to the rarefied air) are poorly suited to high altitude. The most significant problem is hypobaric hypoxia (low oxygen levels as a result of a reduced barometric pressure), but cold, wind, reduced humidity, increased ultraviolet radiation and a paucity of flora, fauna and readily available drinking water make this a challenging environment.
N.B.: Drug dosages are given as a guide only and should be checked. Medicines should only be used under supervision of an appropriate and competent medical authority.
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Further Reading
Johnson C, Anderson SR, Dallimore J, Winser S, Warrell DA. Oxford handbook of expedition and wilderness medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2008. A fantastic pocket sized “Oxford Handbook” covering the spectrum of medicine in austere environments.
Luks AM, McIntosh SE, Grissom CK, Auerbach PS, Rodway GW, Schoene RB, et al. Wilderness Medical Society consensus guidelines for the prevention and treatment of acute altitude illness. Wilderness Environ Med. 2010;21(2):146–55.
Medex. Travel at high altitude. 2nd ed. Medex; 2008. Free download from www.medex.org.uk. Easy to read, designed for both medical & lay readers. Available in a variety of languages & recommended for anyone contemplating any activity at high altitude.
Pollard AJ, Murdoch DR. The high altitude medicine handbook. 3rd ed. Abingdon: Radcliffe Medical Press; 2003. A little dated now, but an excellent resource designed for both medical and lay readers.
West JB, Schoene RB, Luks AM, Milledge JS. High altitude medicine and physiology. 5th ed. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2012. The definitive textbook – a tremendous resource for the dedicated high altitude doctor, but probably too in-depth for most.
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Dhillon, S. (2014). Medicine at High Altitudes. In: Ryan, J., et al. Conflict and Catastrophe Medicine. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2927-1_7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2927-1_7
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