Tham Luang Cave Rescue!
The successful rescue of the 12 children and their soccer coach in Thailand was widely regarded as nothing short of a miracle. Although the children were found in relatively good health there is a high probability that the soccer team may be suffering from long term emotional and physical trauma.
The soccer team has also been been hospitalized and is currently under observation for signs of any serious medical problems. This includes symptoms of fungal lung infections, wound infections and psittacosis caused by exposure to animal and human waste. In addition, medical experts have focused on replenishing nutrients in order to ensure that the boys do not suffer from malnutrition or fluid deprivation. The rescued soccer team has not had the opportunity to meet their families to further prevent any risk of infection.
The children were purportedly calm through out the entire ordeal to the astonishment of divers who first arrived at the scene. Their assistant coach Ekapol encouraged the practice of meditation in the cave as a way to foster a sense of empathy and peace within the group.
Despite promising signs concerning the physical and mental well being of the children and their coach, doctors will continue to observe and monitor their health. The boys will be at a high risk for post traumatic stress disorder as a result of their harrowing experience in the cave. They may suffer from flashbacks, nightmares and behavioral/personality changes induced by PTSD. In a somewhat similar situation, 33 miners were trapped in a Chilean cave system for almost 2 months in the year of 2010 before they were finally rescued. Although, the Chilean miners were found in stable mental and physical heath, many continued to suffer from PTSD and health problems caused by a lack of exposure to sunlight. However, these health symptoms have proven to be mostly treatable.
There is no doubt it will be difficult for these soccer players to once again adjust to normal life and accommodate for the press as well. On a more positive note, however, it has been reported that they are looking forward to treating themselves to chicken and barbeque and catching up on the FIFA Championship once released from the hospital.
For more information:
http://www.businessinsider.com/thai-cave-rescue-meditation-helped-keep-boys-alive-2018-7
https://www.cbsnews.com/live-news/thai-cave-rescue-soccer-team-all-out-of-cave-in-thailand-2018-07-10-live-updates/
https://www.cnn.com/2015/08/04/world/chilean-miners-five-years-later/ind
www.foxnews.com/opinion/2018/07/08/dr-marc-siegel-boys-rescued-from-thai-cave-now-face-possible-medical-and-mental-health-issues.
