Fainting / unresponsive during flight
Discussion
Bit of a strange one this. Flying from UK to Mauritius yesterday via Dubai. On the second leg about an hour from landing I had a strange experience which my wife described as me being unresponsive. Apparently my eyes were open but I was staring into space and couldn’t speak or respond. All I recall was coming to and having tingling hands, followed by profuse sweating, nausea and a few minutes later vomiting (thankfully she grabbed a bag!). I recall before the incident being a little nauseous from some turbulence and a rather large breakfast.
Prior to this and during the previous flight I was fine. They led me to the medical room in the airport where I had a drip and several tests. They said blood pressure was low, which I assume was the cause of the fainting/unresponsive. Upon their advice I went to get checked out in hospital and they concluded all was fine (ECG, bloods, CT). They didn’t give a diagnosis but said probably just fatigue.
I was tired before flying (busy week at work) but didn’t feel unwell, although I’ve just shaken off a bad cold over the last few weeks. I ate well thought perhaps could have had more fluids on the flight. Only one glass of wine on the first flight.
Anyone else experienced this before? I’m a regular long haul flier and this has never occurred before.
Prior to this and during the previous flight I was fine. They led me to the medical room in the airport where I had a drip and several tests. They said blood pressure was low, which I assume was the cause of the fainting/unresponsive. Upon their advice I went to get checked out in hospital and they concluded all was fine (ECG, bloods, CT). They didn’t give a diagnosis but said probably just fatigue.
I was tired before flying (busy week at work) but didn’t feel unwell, although I’ve just shaken off a bad cold over the last few weeks. I ate well thought perhaps could have had more fluids on the flight. Only one glass of wine on the first flight.
Anyone else experienced this before? I’m a regular long haul flier and this has never occurred before.
As a cardiologist, I see this relatively frequently. ?stroke or TIA - well you’ve had a CT which is obviously clear, so that’s a good thing. ?cardiac - still cannot rule that out, but the ECG obviously doesn’t show an underlying issue. ?BP - the recent history suggests a bit of a vagal episode. This isn’t something to get too worried about.
I suggest don’t worry about it, unless it happens again, then it’s GP chat time. Just enjoy your holiday, sounds like you need it.
I suggest don’t worry about it, unless it happens again, then it’s GP chat time. Just enjoy your holiday, sounds like you need it.
Glad to hear you are better. My father in law had a similar experience driving around Barcelona in rush hour - he just froze and my sister in law had to grab the steering wheel to stop them crashing. Luckily she steered them into the central reservation and whilst it looked a mess they were all fine. He came around them and drove them to a hotel,, went on a bus tour (no joke) before they all decided he should go to hospital. Apparently the Spanish hospital was amazing and they gave him the full gamut of scans, blood tests etc before giving him the all clear. That was about 5 years ago and he is fit and well at 80 with no recurrences since.
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff