Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ktkates87]

So I went to a jimjilbang yesterday for the third time. It's something that my husband and I have been enjoying quite a bit lately and I haven't had any problems at all. In any case, last night something realllly weird happened.

I had been in the bathing pools area for a good 45 mins or so and then hung out upstairs in the sleeping rooms and stuff. I only did about 15 minutes in the low temp salt sauna and then just hung out for a while, had a nap, etc.

Before we left to go home, I went back in for another soak and steam for about 30 minutes (doing all the same pools as before). After I had showered, I went to dry off and got all dizzy. I managed to find a door to a bathroom and fainted as I fell into the bathroom and hit my head off the toilet. I woke up, got up again and thought I'd just try to get dressed and sit down. I made it to one of the counters to get my stuff and next thing I know I wake up naked on the floor with an ajumma staring over me looking fairly concerned. I guess I fainted again and I'm pretty sure I was unconscious but not for a long time.

I'm not sure if it was the heat or if something is wrong with me, in any case it scared the bejeezes out of me and it was obviously quite embarrassing. Is this something that has ever happened to any other foreigners before? Should I be seeking medical attention? I have never fainted before in my life and have no health problems that I know of. I drank a fair bit of water throughout the evening and I had eaten enough that day. I also didn't go into the high-temperature saunas. The only thing that I can think of would be going into the cold bath and then into the hot one. However, it didnt affect me at all the other times I've done this.

I guess my question to you all is if anyone has experienced any serious dizziness or fainting like that in the past at a jimjilbang? I dont think it's something I want to give up, but maybe I should be spending less time in the steam/bath rooom?? I'm pretty sure that a doctor is just going to tell me it was the heat...

[Lastrova]

Fainting twice does sound worrisome, but not out of the ordinary. Probably spent too long at the jim. Were you using the cold baths as well?

From Wikipedia:

Heat syncope is another stage in the same process as heat stroke, occurs under similar conditions as heat stroke and is not distinguished from the latter by some authorities. The basic symptom of heat syncope is a body temperature above 40�C (104�F) with fainting, or without mental confusion, which does occur in heat stroke. Heat syncope is caused by mild overheating with inadequate water or salt. In young persons, it is far more common than true sunstroke.

Heat syncope occurs when blood pressure is lowered as the body dilates (widens) arterioles (small blood vessels) in the skin to radiate heat. Also, water is evaporated from the blood,[citation needed] reducing the blood's volume and therefore lowering blood pressure further. The result is less blood to the brain, causing light-headedness and fainting.

The basic treatment for heat syncope is like that for fainting: the patient is positioned in a seating or supine position with legs raised. Water is administered slowly, and the patient is moved to a cooler area.

[jrwhite82]

You probably want to go to a doctor/hospital. Loosing consciousness twice could be a sign of some bad stuff. Especially if you hit your head on a fall after the first time. Better to be safe and get yourself checked out.

[hwarangi]

Hhhhmmm, I'd definitely go to a doctor and tell him/her what happened.

But, there's probably nothing to worry about. I have low blood pressure and faint once or twice a year (it's happened a few times on the subway in summer). I've always had it, but it has gotten worse as I've gotten older.

I get faint when I go to the sauna, because of the heat and steam (lack of air), and make sure I take time out in the locker room every 20 minutes or so.

If you haven't had any symptoms since, there's probably nothing to worry about, but get checked out to be sure.

[normalperson]

It was most probably the baths, heat usually does that to you. True that fainting twice is weird, but if you got up to quick the first time to get dressed then it would most likely happen again.

I've fainted a few times before and its not a pleasent experience. Usually a cause of not enough sleep, low blood pressure, low iron intake. Have more protien and iron to raise blood pressure.

Tell your husband that if it happens again or if you feel dizzy (god forbid) to lye you down and elevate your legs so the blood rushes to your head and to drink water after it happens

Also, Go to a doctor and get some blood tests to check your Iron and Blood pressure