U.S. General in Baghdad Nearly Faints

Associated Press | April 17, 2004

[HAL9000]

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - The top U.S. military spokesman in Iraq appeared to briefly lose consciousness during a news conference Saturday, bumping his face into a podium microphone. He left the room for a period but returned smiling and answered more questions.

There was no immediate explanation for the apparent fainting spell suffered by Army Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, the deputy head of operations in Iraq, who delivers daily briefings to Baghdad-based journalists alongside the top U.S. coalition spokesman Dan Senor.

Kimmitt had left the podium for a few minutes earlier in the press conference, which was broadcast live internationally. He returned, looking pale, to take more questions.

Just after answering a question, Kimmitt leaned toward Senor and whispered, "I gotta go."

Senor nodded and said, "OK," and then told reporters the next question would be the last.

As he listened to the question, Kimmitt's eyes rolled upward and he began leaning forward into the podium. The podium's small black microphone struck him on the right side of the mouth. After a few seconds leaning against the microphone, he slumped backward but remained standing.

Senor stepped toward him and said, "You all right?"

"No, I'm not," Kimmitt mumbled. Two aides approached the podium and led him out a side door.

Senor continued answering questions. About 15 minutes later, Kimmitt returned again and resumed answering questions. When one reporter prefaced a question by saying, "I hope you're feeling better," Kimmitt smiled but offered no explanation. </blockquote.

[mikegi]

Hopefully, he's just weak from an illness like food poisoning or the flu. I'd be more concerned about his health if he fainted for no apparent reason because it could indicate a serious underlying health issue (clogged arteries, brain tumor,...).

He did lose consciousness. If that podium hadn't been there he would have fallen flat on his face.

[Zeroisanumber]

Probably working a lot of late nights with only coffee and sandwitches to keep him going. His blood pressure probably just got a little low.

[Ima Lurker]

True. All you have to do is skip one meal and get out under those hot lights and you're going out! I've seen it happen several times. A good trick to avoid it is to flex your knees slightly.

[BARLF]

I'm not diabetic either. At least I hope not!

[Cicero]

This could happen to anyone. Dehydration, lack of sleep, an overheated room. If AP didn't have a rabid desire to make the United States look as bad as possible in Iraq, this never even would have been reported.

[Diogenesis]

You got it. Orthostatic hypotension secondary to dehydration, overheated room, overtight shirt, etc.

[BushMeister]

The "flex your knees" comment is right on. It's common knowledge that if you stand up straight (knees locked) for too long a period, you are vulnerable to fainting. Something about the blood being partially cut off by the straight-leg posture.

Didn't see Kimmit's episode, so I don't know if this was related to posture.

[Lance Romance]

Either that or he's sampling some of Afghanistan's Finest form the latest Poppy harvest. He's in the "Nod Scene".

k for the tell tale cigarrette burn holes in his shirts.

[Lance Romance]

Either that or he's sampling some of Afghanistan's Finest form the latest Poppy harvest. He's in the "Nod Scene".

Check for the tell tale cigarrette burn holes in his shirts.

[First_Salute]

Vagaled?

[lepton]

C'mon. You've heard some of the questions these guys get asked. It's amazing they don't flat out go into comas.

[dwilli]

I have had many blood tests but don't know if that specific
disorder was part of the test. Took me several occourences
before I connected the pancakes and heavy syrup to the weakness.

Haven't been to IHOP for a couple of years, haven't had any
weakness feeling either. During that two years my combined
cholesterol numbers have fallen from 360 to 195.

[BARLF]

Me or Hillary?

Had to find that word in my Webster. Still not sure what it means but if I have a vagus nerve, Hillary sure gets on it.......:))

[Ichneumon]

ainting in public places such as these is not that uncommon at all.

True. Here's a video clip of a woman reporter passing out right in the middle of her broadcast: http://media.ebaumsworld.com/ladyfaint.avi.

If that direct link doesn't work, try this one.

[dawn53]

Well, at least he didn't vomit and pass out on the Japanese Prime Minister, LOL.

Seriously though, when he said "I gotta go", maybe he really meant "he had to go."

Had a friend visiting Central America who was plagued by Montezuma's revenge, and he passed out because of dehydration from the diarrhea.

[valkyrieanne]

TIA?

[Toskrin]

Sounds like neurocardiogenic syncope. Nothing dangerous. It can happen when you stand in one place too long. Lack of sleep, food, and water as well as hot lights and being in front of a crowd can cause it. It tends to happen in young, physically fit people.

[First_Salute]

When you're low on sleep, a little high on salt, a little low on "good" potassium, and you've been under a lot of stress lately, the intestinal tract can get moody, requiring blood and nutrition more than the brain suspects.

Suddenly, the call goes out for more, while the brain is thinking, it's time to stand up now and make that speech.

Next thing you know, your flat on the deck, "with a touch of the vapors."

It's a warning sign that you definitely need about a two week break.

I and I do mean that it takes two weeks of rest (three weeks, better), exercise, eating and sleeping right, to get things back into good shape.

The general should be relieved of his duties immediately.

[Jank]

"not up to the job", Oh please, give me a break! Rushing
to judgment, are we. I think he's been doing a fantastic
job.