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Interview with the Survivor Doctor
« on: Feb 4th, 2003, 12:08pm » |
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http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/q/chi-0302020387feb02,1 ,7735489.story?coll=chi%2Dleisureq%2Dhed
The itchy underbelly of `Survivor'
By Mel Novit
Special to the Tribune
Published February 2, 2003
It's a unique health challenge to spend several weeks in a jungle surrounded by dangerous animals and crawly critters, amid temperature swings from 110-degree days to 45-degree nights.
Add to that the absence of creature comforts such as food, decent water, shelter, a real bed or a Water Pik and you've got a nice little package of misery. To top off the stress, let TV people flit around to put the whole thing on tape.
Welcome to "Survivor." It's small wonder that competitors on the TV reality series must be physically able to meet the challenge, lest CBS should have to change the name of the show.
Making sure the contestants don't expire is the job of Dr. Adrian Cohen of Sydney, Australia, who has been at every "Survivor" location since the show's first video castaways set up camp in March 2000.
Before the Feb. 13 debut of "Survivor: The Amazon," which features a battle of the sexes in tribe form, we checked with the doc to see what physical testing the 50 final candidates for each show are put through and what the chosen ones can expect, based on "Survivor" experience.
For starters, Cohen said, the competitors must have full physical exams, including blood and urine tests for basic heart, kidney and liver health. They also are tested for infectious diseases. In some cases, electrocardiograms, cardiac stress tests, X-rays and exams by specialists are requested. Then psychological tests and one-on-one interviews with psychologists are conducted to certify mental stability.
The crew camp where Cohen stays usually is within 10 minutes of the contestant camps. At his disposal are a staff of two doctors, two emergency nurses and two paramedics.
The medicine chest consists of half a million dollars in supplies and equipment, and the medical team is responsible for as many as 400 crew members (plus several native villagers), VIPs, media people and the 16 contestants. On average, there are 1,500 medical consultations during the 10 weeks of location work required for each show.
Cohen's medical company, Immediate Assistants, handles 99 percent of all problems, referring only very serious cases to area hospitals. He fielded some questions about what he has seen as top doc.
Q. Are contestants always perfect physical specimens?
A. There are no physical tests--no push-ups or timed aerobic trials. The health screenings are designed to see if contestants can withstand the physical and mental rigors of 39 days plus three to four days of travel on each side.
Q. Name some physical or mental conditions that will disqualify a candidate.
A. Diabetes needing frequent monitoring, poorly controlled asthma, epilepsy, heart conditions requiring supervision or those who may be a danger to themselves or others.
Q. What are some of the conditions that contestants on the show have had?
A. We have had contestants with controlled asthma, high cholesterol and high blood pressure (using medications and monitored by our medical staff). New challenges are going to appear on the upcoming `Survivor: The Amazon,' with Christy Smith, a deaf woman.
Q. What are the effects of quick and dramatic weight losses--and what is typical?
A. Depends on how early or late they are voted off. Typically, the weight loss is the greatest the first 14 days before the body adjusts. It is common for there to be a 10 to 12 percent weight loss, or about 10 percent of body fat. Contestants are encouraged to "bulk up" before the show.
Q. What was the most notable weight loss?
A. Big Tom [Buchanan, Africa] lost 80 pounds.
Q. What effects are experienced from quick, dramatic weight loss?
A. Menstrual-cycle irregularities, immune compromise so cuts and scrapes become easily infected, gastroenteritis, viral sore throats, coughs and colds have all been common.
Q. What happens when you can't brush or floss your teeth for several days or weeks?
A. Natural brushes are found, like twigs and reed-grass.
["It should be noted that with such a limited diet and little, if any, refined sugar, tooth decay, despite marginal hygiene, is not too much of an issue for that period of time. But gingivitis, bleeding gums, may very well become an issue," said Dr. David Sher, a Chicago dentist.]
Q. What about contact lens and glasses wearers? Contact lenses require sterile conditions.
A. Contestants keep replacements of lenses and glasses at each tribe camp. Medical staff keep spares of these and all prescription medications.
Q. The most exotic physical problem dealt with?
A. Some interesting rashes where the sun don't shine!
Q. What about Third World-type illnesses?
A. Fortunately none of these potentially fatal and/or disfiguring disasters has befallen anyone. Contestants are immunized for hepatitis A and B, cholera, typhoid, meningitis, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, tetanus, rabies and malaria.
Q. Animals and critters on the attack?
A. Crocodiles, lions, elephants, snakes, piranha, candiru [tiny Amazon catfish that swim up and lodge in the male urethra/bladder]. Thus far, stingrays have been the worst culprits.
Q. Problems with dehydration?
A. Constantly in every show. Water sources such as streams and natural wells are checked and are continually monitored. Or else we sink and fill a well and place a sealed cover over it.
Q. What about sunburn, particularly in the very hot, sunny climates the shows have been in?
A. Sunscreen is provided and contestants are educated to avoid exposing their skin in the hottest part of the day. The importance of their shelter is stressed.
Q. Won't the contestants get sunburned in those teeny-tiny outfits they wear?
A. They are all adults and able to make their own decisions about what they wear.
Q. With so little to eat and given the drastic conditions of their environment, are there problems with constipation and/or diarrhea?
A. They happen frequently. Usually fluid intake and "nature taking its course" solve most such problems.
Q. Have contestants had lingering problems after the show, such as Colleen having scabs and sores on her legs due to bug bites?
A. There have been several problems with skin infections and gastroenteritis. Several people have been referred to infectious-disease specialists and have undertaken blood-testing programs once returning home.
Q. How do the women deal with their periods?
A. Sanitary needs are dealt with discreetly. Menstrual cycles are often abnormal due to travel, stress, diet, etc. Contestants can keep sanitary needs at each tribe camp, and medical staff also keeps spares.
Q. Can the deprivation and discomfort lead to psychological problems? Do you follow up problems after the show?
A. Our contestants have a full psychological evaluation before the show and the services of a psychologist during the show. Debriefing occurs immediately with the psychologist on location after they are voted off. Follow-up by phone then occurs once they are back in their home environment and when the show goes to air. Local referrals have also been arranged.
Q. Realistically, what are the most common things you've treated?
A. The most common problems requiring first aid have been scrapes, grazes, bruises, skin infections, colds, flu and numerous stitching jobs.
Sick call for the contestants
Being a "Survivor" may be hazardous to your health. Here's what some contestants have reported.
Borneo
Sue Hawk was stung by a stingray.
Kelly Wiglesworth contracted a parasite.
Colleen Haskell suffered infected bug bites and still has scars.
Australia
Mike Skupin fell in a fire and severely burned his hands.
Elizabeth Filarski lost her hair.
Africa
Lex Van Den Berghe had an intestinal infection.
Jessica Comacho suffered severe dehydration and stomach cramps.
Marquesas
Sarah Jones had infections from exotic bug bites.
Robert "The General" DeCanio sliced his foot.
Paschal English had a cardiac-related collapse.
Thailand
Robb Zbacnik was stung by a stingray.
Stephanie Dill suffered from dehydration and stomach cramps.
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