High-octane cars give spectators a headache at F1

Nearly 300 people who attended the Indian Grand Prix race day on Sunday visited the medical centres at the racing venue during the three-day event, with more than 50% complaining of head and ear ache. Rhythma Kaul reports.

The Formula One cars that zoomed past the cheering crowds gave both a rush of adrenaline and head and ear aches to the spectators.

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Nearly 300 people who attended the Indian Grand Prix race day on Sunday visited the medical centres at the racing venue during the three-day event, with more than 50% complaining of head and ear ache.

Fortis Healthcare and Indraprastha Apollo Hospital were providing emergency medical cover to the sportspersons, delegates, staffers and spectators at the Buddh International Circuit at Greater Noida.

The medical teams comprised staff trained to manage a wide range of medical emergencies such as burns, orthopedics, trauma surgery and cardiac care.

"The sound levels were very high at the venue, may be that is what was causing the discomfort as not many are used to such high decibel levels. On day one itself, we got 88 persons with similar symptoms," said Dr Dilpreet Brar, regional director, Fortis Healthcare, who was overseeing the medical care at the venue.

Others who visited the medical centres complained of cough, fever and uneasiness. "Those who are allergic to dust had felt uncomfortable as there was a lot of dust at the venue that perhaps triggered allergic reactions. Asthmatics were the worst sufferers," said Dr Brar.

On Saturday afternoon, a bus driver who ferried officials from the hotel to the racing venue also complained of chest pain. An ECG was done and he was taken to a private hospital in Greater Noida.

"He seemed to be exhausted. We had kept him under observation," said a doctor who attended to him.