Fainting is a brief loss of consciousness. Someone who faints may pass out for several seconds or up to one half an hour.
There are many reasons people faint. Medical reasons include:
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia),
which is common in early pregnancy, or if a person is on a severe diet
Anemia
Any condition in which there is a rapid
loss of blood. This can be from internal bleeding such as with a peptic ulcer, or a tubal
pregnancy or ruptured ovarian cyst in females.
Heart and circulatory problems such as
abnormal heart rhythm, heart attack, or stroke
Heat stroke or heat exhaustion
Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia
Toxic shock syndrome
Head injury
Other things that can lead to feeling faint or fainting include:
A sudden change in body position
like standing up too quickly (postural hypotension)
Extreme pain.
Any procedure in women that stretches the
cervix, such as having an IUD inserted, especially in women who have never been pregnant
Sudden emotional stress or fright
Anxiety
Standing a long time in one place
Taking some prescription medicines.
Examples are some that lower high blood pressure, tranquilizers, antidepressants, or even
some over-the-counter medicines when taken in excessive amounts.
Know, also, that the risk for fainting increases if you are in hot, humid weather, or in a stuffy room or have consumed excessive amounts of alcohol.
Just before fainting, a person may:
Feel a sense of dread
Feel dizzy
See spots before his or her eyes
Feel nauseous
Here are some dos and don'ts to remember if someone is about to faint or
faints:
Dos:
Catch the person before he
or she falls.
Have the person lie down with the head
below the level of the heart. {Note: Check for breathing and a
pulse. (See Questions to Ask below.)} Raise the legs 8 to
12 inches. This promotes blood flow to the brain. If a victim who is about to faint can
lie down right away, he or she may not lose consciousness. If the person can't lie down,
have him or her sit down, bend forward, and put his or her head between his or her knees.
Turn the victim's head to the side so the
tongue doesn't fall back into the throat.
Loosen any tight clothing.
Apply moist towels to the person's face and
neck.
Keep the victim warm, especially if the
surroundings are chilly.
Don'ts:
Don't force the person to
stay standing.
Don't slap or shake anyone who's just
fainted.
Don't try to give the person anything to
eat or drink, not even water, until they are fully conscious.
Don't allow the person who fainted to get
up until the sense of physical weakness passes. Then be watchful for a few minutes to be
sure he or she doesn't faint again.
| Is the person who fainted not breathing and does he/she not have a
pulse? {Note: See CPR.}  |
 |
Are signs of a heart attack also present with the fainting? Chest pressure or pain (may spread
to the arm, neck or jaw) Chest discomfort with any of these problems:
Shortness of breath or trouble breathing; nausea or vomiting; sweating; uneven heartbeat
or pulse; or sense of doom |
|
| Did the person who fainted have sudden, severe back pain? |
|
| Are signs of a stroke also present with the fainting? Numbness or weakness in the face,
arm or leg Temporary loss of vision or speech, double
vision Sudden, severe headache |
|
| Did the fainting come after an injury to the head? {Note: See Head Injuries.} |
|
| Are any of these conditions present with the fainting? Being more than 40 years old and
this is the first fainting episode A known heart problem Being a young person and the fainting took
place during a sports activity Fainting for no apparent reason |
|
| Are one or both of these problems present? Pelvic pain Black stools |
 |
Do any of these apply to the person who fainted? He/she is taking high blood
pressure medicine and: - started taking a new medicine, or - increased the dose of a medicine |
 |
(Note: A doctor should be consulted for any episode of fainting. Self-Care Tips can help for the following situations, though.}
Do these things when you feel faint:
Sit down, bend forward, and put
your head between your knees, or
Lie down and elevate both legs 8-12 inches.
If You Faint Easily:
Get up slowly from bed or from a
sitting position.
Follow your doctor's advice to treat any
medical condition which may lead to fainting. Take medicines as prescribed, but let your
doctor know about any side effects.
Avoid any strenuous activities until
heart-related causes of fainting are ruled out.
Don't wear tight-fitting clothing around
your neck.
Avoid turning your head suddenly.
Avoid excessive exercise in hot, humid
conditions. Drink a lot of liquids when you do exercise.
Stay out of stuffy rooms and hot, humid
places. If you can't, use a fan.
Avoid activities that can put your life in
danger if you have frequent fainting spells. Examples include: driving and climbing to
high places.
Drink alcoholic beverages in moderation.
For Women Who are Pregnant:
Talk to your doctor about your
specific symptoms.
Get out of bed slowly.
Keep crackers at your bedside and eat a few
before getting out of bed. Try other foods such as dry toast, graham crackers, bananas,
etc.
Eat small, frequent meals instead of a few
large ones. Avoid sweets. Don't skip meals or go for a long time without eating.
Don't sit for long periods of time.
Keep your legs elevated when you sit.
When you stand for a long time (e.g. in a
line) don't stand still. Move your legs or contract your leg muscles to pump blood up to
your heart.
Take vitamin and mineral supplements as
your doctor prescribes.
Never lie on your back during the third
trimester of pregnancy. It is best to lie on your left side. If you can't, lie on your
right side.
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 1999 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 02/01/99