Woman suffered a medical emergency mid-flight as two doctors stepped in — one simple ingredient from the cabin helped turn things around in minutes
A medical emergency can change the mood of an entire flight within minutes, especially when a passenger suddenly becomes confused and unwell. Dr. Kaitlin Sanzone was traveling on a United Airlines flight when an announcement asked for medical professionals. She is a psychiatrist, but no one else responded, so she stepped forward. What followed involved another doctor, a quick assessment, and a common kitchen ingredient that helped the passenger feel better within 15 minutes. The incident was later shared on Instagram on September 28, 2026, under the username @westcoasttmd in an Instagram post.
When the doctors assessed the woman, she could give her name and describe how she felt, but her speech and behavior were clearly not normal. They used the basic medical equipment available on the aircraft, including a blood pressure cuff and glucose monitor. Their checks showed that she had low blood sugar along with low blood pressure. A few salt packets mixed with water and orange juice helped her feel like herself again within about 10 to 15 minutes. The other doctor, a nephrologist (a doctor who treats kidney diseases), asked the flight attendants if they had salt packets available and used them with the drinks to help raise both her sugar and blood pressure. Once the woman started improving, the doctors helped her sit upright and continued watching her until the aircraft landed safely.
Dr. Sanzone later described the experience as surprising because she had no idea what medical supplies or medicines might be available during an emergency on a plane. She had initially waited for another medical professional to respond before deciding to press the call button herself. Her decision to step forward when no one else did made a real difference to the passenger that day. The experience also left her curious about what medical tools airlines keep available for emergencies. She later thanked United Airlines as well for recognizing the help provided by the two doctors, saying the airline gave them a flight voucher afterward. The unexpected teamwork turned a frightening moment into a manageable one.
A medical emergency on a flight can become serious when medical help is not available. This is what happened in another incident, when a woman became unwell, and the cabin crew began looking for someone to help. The situation was unclear, and passengers watched as the crew tried to understand what was wrong. Soon, they learned she was dealing with severe acid reflux. One passenger, who had managed the problem for years, knew how to help.
When the crew asked if anyone had an antacid, he reached for his Pepcid and offered it to the woman. After taking the medicine, she began feeling better, turning the moment into a memorable one. He joked that helping with an antacid felt like a "lifeguard giving CPR." He said it felt like "what I was put on this Earth to be a hero for." His experience showed how medicine can help in an emergency.
For more interesting stories, follow @westcoasttmd on her Instagram account.