Fainting occurs when you lose consciousness for a brief period of time due to a lack of oxygen in your brain. Syncope is the medical word for fainting, however it is more generally referred to as “passing out.” A fainting period might last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes.
Feeling lightheaded, dizzy, weak, or sick might occur before fainting.
Some persons notice noises fading away and describe the experience as “blacking out” or “whiting out.”
A complete recovery normally takes only a few minutes. You may not require therapy if there is no underlying medical disease causing you to faint.
Fainting is seldom a reason for alarm, but it might be a sign of a significant medical condition. If you have no history of fainting and have fainted more than once in the last month, consult your doctor.
What Causes One To Faint?
The reason of fainting is sometimes unknown in many situations.
A variety of reasons can cause fainting, including:
- Fear or another type of emotional distress
- Extreme pain
- A sudden decrease in blood pressure
- Standing up too soon
- Physical activity in hot weather
- Excessive coughing
- Diabetes-related low blood sugar
- Hyperventilation
- Dehydration
- Too much time spent in one place
- Straining when having a bowel movement
- Ingesting drugs or alcohol
- Seizures
Medications that lower your blood pressure raise your chances of fainting. Among these are drugs used to treat:
- High blood pressure
- Allergies
- Depression
- Anxiety
If moving your head to one side causes you to faint, it’s conceivable that the sensors in your neck’s blood artery are overly sensitive. You may faint as a result of this sensitivity.
If you have any of the following conditions, you are more prone to faint:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Atherosclerosis
- An irregular heartbeat, often known as arrhythmia
- Panic or anxiety attacks
- Emphysema and other chronic lung diseases
Types Of Faintings?
Syncope can be classified into numerous categories. There are three common types:
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Vasovagal syncope:
The vagus nerve is involved in vasovagal syncope. It can be induced by emotional trauma, stress, the sight of blood, or prolonged standing.
-
Carotid sinus syncope:
This kind occurs when the carotid artery in the neck becomes constricted, generally as a result of moving your head to one side or wearing an overly tight collar.
-
Situational syncope:
This kind is caused by straining while coughing, peeing, moving your bowels, or experiencing gastrointestinal issues.
How Can Fainting Be Prevented?
If you have a history of fainting, attempt to figure out what makes you faint so you can avoid the triggers.
Always carefully rise from a seated or lying-down position. Inform your doctor if you get dizziness at the sight of blood when having your blood drawn or during other medical procedures. They can take steps to keep you from fainting.
Finally, do not miss meals. Lightheadedness, weakness, and the sense of spinning are all warning indicators of fainting. If you experience any of these symptoms, sit and place your head between your knees to increase blood flow to your brain.
You might also lie down to prevent damage from falling. Don’t get up till you’re feeling better.
What to do if someone faints
When someone close to you faints, raise their feet above the level of their heart to increase blood flow to their head.
You may even have them sit with their heads between their legs.
Tight collars, belts, and other constraining garments should be loosened. For at least 10 to 15 minutes, keep the person laying down or sitting. The greatest location is one that is cool and peaceful.
A cold drink of water may also be beneficial. Learn more about unconsciousness first aid recommendations.
If the victim isn’t breathing, contact 911 or your local emergency services right away.
When is fainting considered an emergency?
Call 911 or your local emergency services instantly if somebody has fainted and:
- is unable to breathe
- does not recover consciousness within minutes
- has been injured or is bleeding after falling
- is pregnant
- has lost control of his or her bowels or bladder
- has speech or visual problems
- stays perplexed or disoriented
- has diabetes
- has never fainted before and is beyond the age of 50
- has a rapid pulse
- has a history of heart disease or has complained of chest discomfort or pressure
- gets convulsions or has a tongue injury
- is incapable of moving their limbs
Take the advice of the 911 operator or emergency dispatcher. While waiting for aid, you may need to do rescue breathing or CPR.
Diagnostic tests
Whether you have no past history of fainting and have fainted several times, your doctor will want to see if there is an underlying medical problem that is causing the fainting.
Even if you pass out only once, you should undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), which monitors the electrical activity of your heart.
Tell your doctor about the specifics of your fainting spell, such as what you were doing and how you felt right before you fainted.
Prepare to provide your doctor with a detailed medical history, including information about previously diagnosed diseases and any prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs you are currently using.
Your doctor may request further tests based on the results of a physical examination.
The EKG is often used to begin the diagnosis process. Other tests that may be used to determine why you failed include:
- Holter monitor: This is a portable heart monitor that you must wear for at least 24 hours.
- Echocardiogram: This test use sound waves to create a moving image of your heart.
- Electroencephalogram: The electroencephalogram (EEG) measures your brain’s electrical activity. Your doctor will typically be able to identify whether you fainted or had a seizure after hearing about your symptoms. If they are doubtful, they will conduct an EEG.
You may be given a head CT scan in some cases. This imaging test looks for brain hemorrhage.
However, it seldom aids in determining the reason of fainting. It’s only useful if there’s been a head injury and there’s a risk of bleeding.
Treatment and prospects
The treatment for fainting is determined on your doctor’s diagnosis.
If you have no underlying medical disorders that are causing you to faint, you won’t need treatment, and your long-term outlook is favorable.
