Dr Raj Joshi kicks off our series on medical matters for trekkers and mountaineers with a look at some pre-trip basics…
New test could predict altitude sickness
A new test predicting who will suffer the effects of acute mountain sickness at high altitudes has been developed, according to scientists. Commonly affecting mountaineers and skiers, the potentially fatal condition occurs due to the difficulty of adapting to low oxygen levels and can result in a build-up of fluid on the brain and lungs. Current treatments include preventative medication …
Medics take research to new heights
A group of student medics have taken medical research to new heights, with a Himalayan trek to study the effects of altitude sickness. Members of the Wilderness Medicine Society at King’s College London journeyed to the highest mountain region in the world to carry out research, by recording the effects and impacts of altitude on their own bodies while trekking …