Fainting

Fainting happens when there is momentarily inadequate supply of blood to your brain and may cause the person to lose consciousness.

Though fainting can have no medical significance, it should be treated as a medical emergency until symptoms are relieved. This could also be a cause of a serious disorder.

It can be associated with other symptoms and can be caused my many underlying reasons.



Possible Causes of Fainting

  • Syncope (when brain is deprived of blood flow)
  • Neurologic syncope (caused by transient ischemic attack, stroke or seizure)
  • Hyperventilating
  • Heart Rhythm problems
  • Low blood sugar
  • Low blood pressure
  • Straining
  • Dehydration
  • Overheating
  • Emotional stress
  • Exhaustion

Signs When A Person Is About To Faint

  • Sudden confusion
  • Inability to respond
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Lightheadedness or dizziness
  • Paleness
  • Loss of balance
  • Sweating

First Aid for Fainting

1. Position the person on his/her back. Raise the person’s legs above heart level to restore blood flow to the brain.
2. Loosen collars, belts and shirts or shoes.
3. Don’t get the person up immediately as this can cause fainting again.
4. If the person is still unconscious after a minute, call your local emergency number.
5. Do the “DR.ABC”

Prevention

  • Drink plenty of fluids
  • Take breaks and move around as much as possible
  • Use a paper bag to slowly breath in and out when the person is anxious or breathing too fast
  • Avoid overheated environments