It’s not all fun and Games for fainting patient

AFTER umpteen years, a lot of hasty construction projects and a range of draconian road restrictions, it looks like we’re finally set for the Commonwealth Games.

All that’s left now is for the competitors, the volunteers and us spectators to just enjoy proceedings.

One member of the Commonwealth “cast”, however, visited the surgery last week with a few concerns over her fitness levels for the games.

She wasn’t an athlete though — she’s actually due to be a volunteer steward once the sporting bash kicks off on Wednesday.

This lady is prone to fainting, or syncope to use its more technical name, when she gets too hot.

Syncope (pronounced sin-copy rather than sign-cope) can be brought on by extreme emotion, fear, severe pain or vomiting.

This is commonly called vasovagal syncope.

My patient, however, had another form of this condition. She tended to get dizzy if she stood up quickly, and could faint if she had to stand for a long time in hot weather.

I think we can all relate to that head-rush feeling after rapidly getting to our feet.

This feeling is down to a lack of oxygen being delivered to the brain, caused by a drop in blood pressure. If it’s severe enough it can lead to a short black-out.

Syncopes of various types result in the same symptoms: a brief loss of consciousness followed by recovery within a moment or two. If someone faints, it’s best to lie them flat. Occasionally there can be a few jerking movements, but less than during a seizure.

However, if someone bites their tongue, or is slow to recover and confused afterwards, then it’s probably not a simple faint and needs further medical attention. Fainting after chest pain or palpitations or during exercise should be investigated urgently.

I suggested my patient drink plenty and, if she felt the hot weather and standing were getting too much, to try to sit down with her head between her knees.

Although squatting down would be a less conspicuous option in a crowded Hampden Park.