Consultant Emergency Medicine, Dr. Abdullah Abdul-Bari Ba-Humeid, pointed out that one of the major health issues and problems that require immediate attention by the pilgrim is chest pain which could be a result of angina or heart attack, Allah forbid! Therefore, he must take the proper precautions against them.
He added that heat exhaustion is a common problem during Hajj as a result of the continuous and long exposure to sunlight, leading to fatigue, extreme tiredness and sever muscles pain; therefore he must drink sufficient liquids, avoid staying under the sun for long, and visit the nearest health center to get the required treatment.
Dr. Ba-Humaid underscored that among the common health problems which also require visiting the emergency section immediately are food-poisoning cases, resulting from eating uncovered food. He advised not to buy food from street vendors, and to pay closer attention to general hygiene, in addition to washing hands with soap and water, and washing vegetables and fruits thoroughly. He also pointed to asthma and its accompanying inflammations as the other main problems which necessitate visiting the emergency section, since the asthma diseases increase during Hajj as a result of exposure to dust, congestion and dryness. With this in mind, the pilgrim will have to take the necessary drugs (like sprays, etc) during the performance of Hajj and visit the nearest health center, if necessary.
This came during the interview with Dr. Abdullah Abdul-Bari Ba-Humaid at the MOH's National Center for Media and Health Awareness in the context of the awareness program dubbed "Pilgrims' Health is our Concern", which has been launched by the MOH for the eleventh consecutive year, as part of the free phone consultations service the MOH's Media Center is keen to provide every year, via the toll free number: 8002494444, and the MOH Twitter account: @saudimoh.
Speaking of the extent of seriousness of the injuries resulting from high temperature, Dr. Ba-Humeid pointed to some minor symptoms including fatigue, nausea, vomiting and muscles pain, while the severe and serious symptoms include fainting, convulsions, kidney failure as well blood toxicity.
Dr. Ba-Humeid advised the pilgrims to visit the treating doctor before Hajj and make sure to do some necessary tests and carrying the required drugs in a special kit, meanwhile reiterating the importance of taking medicine on time and avoid exposure to sunlight for a longtime, using umbrellas, drinking adequate quantities of water, and visiting the nearest health center, if necessary.
He underlined that there are some medications that must be kept in the pilgrim's kit, in addition to the daily medicines for chronic diseases; including painkillers (such as Panadol), wounds disinfectants, skin patches and some ointments and creams which are used to prevent scalded skin.
He underscored that if the pilgrim lost his consciousness - Allah forbid! - someone should ask for help from the medical specialists for quick and immediate assistance and to refrain from crowding around the fainted person to avoid severer problems, and also try to help the paramedics, as much as possible, to transport the patient to the health center. That is to be added to avoiding moving him, because he doesn't know the cause of fainting, which may be a result of an injury; given that moving the patient in such a case could be risky, especially that overcrowding during Hajj may expose the pilgrim to injuries including some types of bone fractures, Allah forbid!
Within the same vein, tomorrow (Wednesday, 29/11/1435H), the Center is to host Dr. Nouf Al-Khamis, consultant in allergy and immunity, from1 to 3 pm. She will talk to the Center's audience about the allergy symptoms and the problems facing the pilgrims and how to prevent them, as well as how to address them in case of their occurrence, Allah forbid!