A woman fainted after taking a long hot bath! Doctor: 4 ways to help you prevent it effectively!

If you take a hot bath in a closed bathroom for a long time, you should be careful of symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and even loss of consciousness. Recently, the Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province (Provincial Brain Hospital) received such a patient, who was eventually diagnosed with "vasovagal syncope."

On March 16, 26-year-old Ms. Zhang from Changsha suddenly fainted after taking a hot bath in the bathroom for 30 minutes. Her family rushed her to the Emergency Medicine Department of Hunan Provincial Second People's Hospital (Provincial Brain Hospital) .

After receiving the diagnosis, Dr. Wan Lu from the emergency department asked Ms. Zhang about her condition in detail. It was learned that Ms. Zhang lacked exercise, had high work pressure, and had an irregular lifestyle. After taking a long hot bath in a closed bathroom that day, she felt dizzy and nauseous, and then lost consciousness for about 1 minute.

After examination, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases were ruled out and it was diagnosed as "vasovagal syncope", commonly known as "dizziness". Ms. Zhang was immediately given relevant symptomatic supportive treatment, and her symptoms were relieved.

Why do you faint after taking a long shower?

1. Imbalance in body temperature regulation

In a high temperature environment (above 40°C), the blood vessels in the skin dilate, and a large amount of blood accumulates on the body surface, resulting in a decrease in the amount of blood returning to the heart. At this time, if the patient has a slow sinus reflex (weak blood pressure regulation ability), the brain will faint due to a temporary lack of blood supply.

2. Hidden dehydration exacerbates the crisis

Continuous hot water flushing accelerates the evaporation of body surface water, and 500 ml of body fluid can be lost in 30 minutes. When blood volume drops by 5%-10%, even if there is no obvious thirst, blood pressure will be significantly lowered, and prodromal symptoms such as dizziness and blurred vision will appear.

3. The cumulative effect of hypoxia

In a closed bathroom, water vapor will replace oxygen, reducing the oxygen concentration from 21% to 17%-18% (equivalent to an altitude of 2,000 meters). In a state of mild hypoxia, the body's compensatory ability decreases, making it more likely to induce syncope.

Doctors recommend four ways to prevent "bathtime fainting"

1. Control the time and water temperature: the water temperature should not exceed 42°C, and a shower of 10 minutes/a bath of 15 minutes is the safe threshold.

2. Maintain air circulation: leave a 5cm gap at the door and install an exhaust fan (air exchange volume ≥ 80m³/h).

3. Scientific hydration: Drink 200ml of light salt water before bathing, and avoid bathing on an empty stomach or immediately after a full meal.

4. Enhance physical reserves: Do aerobic exercise (such as brisk walking, swimming) three times a week, 30 minutes each time to improve cardiopulmonary compensatory capacity.

How to save yourself when you suddenly faint?

Zhou Qibing, director of the emergency medicine department of Hunan Provincial Second People's Hospital (Provincial Brain Hospital), reminds everyone: If you experience symptoms such as dizziness, tinnitus, blurred vision, etc., you should immediately take the following measures:

① Turn off the water source

② Sitting with your knees hugged (increases blood return to the heart)

③ Call family members for help

④ After regaining consciousness, slowly replenish electrolyte drinks

If symptoms do not improve after the above measures, please call 120 as soon as possible and go to the hospital for treatment in time.

Special reminder: Elderly people, people with anemia, people with low blood pressure and pregnant women should be more vigilant about this risk. If you experience syncope more than twice within six months, it is recommended to undergo specialist examinations such as the upright tilt test.

Director Zhou Qibing said that through scientific cognition and prevention, we can enjoy the relaxation of bathing while protecting our lives. Remember: no matter how comfortable you are, you should always use body signals as a warning line!

Hunan Medical Chat Special Author: Wanlu Tangling, Hunan Second People's Hospital (Provincial Brain Hospital)

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(Edited by YT)