On my last two long-haul overnight flights, I have fainted (and fitted apparently) shortly after waking up. I used to faint fairly regularly as a child but now only do it every couple of years. I'm taking tablets for high blood pressure, but I do not drink alcohol when flying, I wear flight socks and drink water. If I carry on doing this, am I likely to do myself any long-term damage? What, if any, risks are involved? Should I stop these overnight flights? I was so looking forward to seeing the rest of the world!
Dr Jules Eden replies: It is odd that you only fit after waking on a plane and not elsewhere. Fitting is quite a serious symptom, with dangers of inhaling vomit causing respiratory spasm. Your best option is to make sure there is no underlying disease that has caused this. You need to see a neurologist who will try to exclude any of the forms of epilepsy, and maybe do an MRI scan of your brain. If a cause is found, treatment will control the problem. But if all is clear, then look closely at your blood pressure. If you are sitting upright and taking tablets, then it may be too low after sleep, hence the faints. A solution could be to fly in a class where you could sleep horizontally, or even look to decrease your medications the day before flight. And always warn the person next to you what may happen - it can be equally frightening for them, too, if it were to happen again.
My husband and I recently visited our son in Malawi, and we are worried that we may have contracted bilharzia from swimming in Lake Malawi. We had a urine test carried out on our return, as recommended by the Lonely Planet guide, and this was negative, but we understand that it can sometimes be months before any symptoms show. What should we look out for what treatment may we require?
Bilharzia is caused by a worm that reproduces in the body of freshwater snails, and us. If you swim in infected areas, the worm burrows through the skin and you become infected. An early symptom is 'swimmer's itch' at the point of entry. The later phase of an infection can be symptom free for up to 10 weeks. In the egg-laying cycle there is fever, swollen lymph glands and tiredness. Later, bleeding in the urine or stool shows advanced infection. Diagnosis is made by blood or urine tests, as you have had. If you are still concerned, have a blood test to supplement the urine test done earlier. If it is all clear, then do not worry, If not, a drug called praziquantel can be effective at any stage.
· If you have any questions you want to ask Dr Jules Eden, email travel.doctor@theguardian.com, or write to The Flying Doctor, The Guardian, 119 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3ER.
