Fainting French Prez

French President Nicolas Sarkozy was hospitalized today for "falling ill" and fainting while jogging. French authorities have disclosed that their president suffered from a minor vasovagal episode while running at la Lanterne, the presidential retreat at Versailles. He was taken to to the military hospital at Val-de-Grâce in Paris for observation, and doctors there say he will "undergo supplementary testing."

A vasovagal episode, or vasovagal syncope is a fainting spell that can be caused by many things. It involves the vagus nerve, a cranial nerve that connects the brain and the abdomen. The vagus nerve controls and coordinates various organs including the heart, major blood vessels and the muscles of the larynx (speech). Vasovagal episodes are the most common cause of fainting.

Several things can cause a vasovagal fainting episode. A few notable causes:

• Prolonged standing or upright sitting, particularly when standing with legs in a locked position for long periods of time—avoidance of long-term locking of one's legs in the standing position is taught in the military as well as in marching bands and drill teams.
• Standing up very quickly
• Stress
• Hyperthermia, a prolonged exposure to heat
• Sudden onset of extreme emotions
• Hunger
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dehydration
• Random onsets due to nerve malfunctions

Does anybody notice pattern here? Uh, water...um, hydration...water...nerve function...water. My guess is that Prez Sarkozy was running on empty; he was probably subclinically dehydrated. The French, like many people, drink dehydrating substances--liquor, caffeine--and if water levels are not replenished, then it's easy to go into a water deficit. A water deficit doesn't have to mean clinical dehydration--a medical emergency--but it can.

Even so, subclinical dehydration is serious enough to cause fainting, among other symptoms and disorders. I devote much ink to subclinical dehydration in my book, The Six Keys to Optimal Health. Without a doubt, at least 50% of incoming patients to my Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and West Hollywood chiropractic practice are operating at a water deficit. In a sunny and warm-weather climate like Southern California, being poorly hydrated is playing with fire. I'll bet it is in Versailles, too.

Anyway, Sarkozy is likely going to be fine. He's a regular exerciser, often photographed while jogging with his entourage. Nevertheless, he is being looked at and evaluated by his doctors. Although the French President is routinely checked physically, his last reported health exam at the beginning of July where he had normal blood and cardiovascular tests, he was briefly hospitalized in October 2007 for treatment of angina (chest pain).

The take home lesson here is for everybody to make sure they are sufficiently hydrated. Two liters of water per day is a good baseline. And if you are exercising in the heat, you might need more. Don't mess around, stay hydrated--it could save your life.

Global Warming Tied to Health Woes?

Here's a little story about how politics, helped by the media and popular culture, can influence belief to such a degree that even health practices change. I'm sure nobody reading this is ignorant of the fact that global warming is one of today's hippest issues, right up there with saving Africa. Global warming is so hip that it threatens to influence nearly every facet of life, from business to engineering to development. But not until now has it touched the health sector.

According to recent reports, global warming may increase the incidence of kidney stones in the U.S. in the coming years. Researchers at the University of Texas estimate that the number of kidney stones will increase by thirty percent over the next few years. Kidney stones are caused by the crystallization of dissolved minerals in the urine, usually from low water levels in the body, or dehydration. The researchers point out that as temperatures rise more people will become dehydrated leading to a higher production of kidney stones.

Well, you'll get no argument out of me that dehydration is a growing concern. But I have to say, blaming it on global warming is pure, unadulterated horse manure. Let's try a little more obvious reason, like too many people bypass drinking water for the more accessible and heavily marketed soda pop. Duh! No, no, it must be global warming. Oh heavens Longhorns, can you get less original? The scientists at UT point out that an increase in kidney stones is already being seen in the southeastern belt of the U.S.--that includes Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. I'll bet if the numbers are crunched they'll show that that region has a super-high imbibition of sodas, sweetened iced tea, and liquor--all of which are highly dehydrating. And I can tell you that all three of those beverages will lead to an increased development of kidney stones. BS Campos...it has to be global warming. Yes, I know.

I really don't care what method is used to get people to drink more water--I feel it's that important to human health. But here's the problem: Just four months ago, the consensus from the scientific community was that the necessity of drinking water was just a myth. Remember my earlier post on the subject? And if you've read my book, you know that I'm adamant about proper hydration. You would also know from reading my book that some scientists think that drinking water can be harmful to one's health. And many people watching the nightly news, or listening to their family physicians believe that you can get most of your body's water through the food you eat (I swear, I've heard this nonsense before). Yet today...science has found that proper hydration is now necessary because of global warming?!?! Whatever.

I guess I'm gonna just give in and jump on the ol' global warming bandwagon. So here goes some health news I'd like to see:

• Global Warming Causes People to Need More Chiropractic!
• Global Warming Makes People Vitamin Deficient.
• Global Warming Reduced by Exercise.
• Global Warming Caused by Excessive Statin and Antidepressant Use.

Yeah, that'll be the day.