The various forms of altitude illness often affect both novices and experienced mountain travelers who go too high too fast. Called acute mountain sickness, high altitude pulmonary edema and high altitude cerebral edema, about one out of five visitors to mountain resorts is affected, and some die unless properly treated. Altitude illness is avoidable, and this book describes what it is, why it happens, how to prevent, and how to treat it. Written for the non-medical reader, the book will interest anyone who goes to the mountains to ski, walk, climb or simply to visit. Dr. Houston avoids medi-speak as he explains not only illness, but also acclimatization·the intricate process of adjusting to altitude. The book is enriched with many amusing and interesting historical facts and myths, many case reports, and a few speculations about the future.