Fainting Basics

• Fainting is a brief loss of consciousness. Normal awareness returns in less than 1 minute if the person is allowed to lie down.
• If standing, the person falls to the ground.
• If sitting, the person slumps over. Lie them down on the ground, if you can. Take care not to injure them as you lower them to the ground.
• Fainting can happen at any age.
• Causes: for people less than 40 years old, it is most often a simple faint. In older adults, serious causes are much more common. These need to be ruled out by a doctor.
• Cause of Simple Fainting: decreased blood flow to the brain.
• Risk Factors: mild dehydration, fasting, hot weather, lack of sleep, recent illness, change in altitude.
• Most fainting is harmless. There is a risk of a head or face injury from sudden falling.

Warning Signs For Simple Fainting

• Dizziness (light-headed), blurred vision, nausea, sweating, feeling cold.
• These last for 5 to 10 seconds before passing out.
• The person may look pale just before passing out.

Types of Simple Fainting

• Standing too long in one place before fainting is the most common type. Happens at church, graduations, weddings or at events when standing a long time. It is more common if one keeps the knees "locked." This pools the blood in the leg veins. A person who stands long enough in one place will faint.
• Standing up quickly (often after lying down) before fainting is a less common cause. Often this just causes a person to feel dizzy for a short time. It is more common in the morning after not eating or drinking during the night.
• Sudden stressful feelings before fainting. Seeing a badly injured person or pet can trigger fainting. Also, stressful events such as public speaking can cause fainting.
• Sudden physical pain before fainting, such as getting a shot or a blood test. Having stiches taken out can also trigger fainting. The stress of the event may cause the fainting rather than the pain itself.
• Orthostatic Hypotension is a drop in blood pressure upon standing up. It can be caused by:
  • Medicine taken to lower blood pressure
  • Dehydration due to vomiting, diarrhea or heat exposure
  • Neurological disease such as Parkinson's or peripheral neuropathy
  • A big meal
• Feeling faint in pregnancy. This may happen if you stand up quickly. Take your time getting up to your feet. Sit back down again if you feel light-headed or dizzy. You may also feel faint if you are lying on your back during the later stages of pregnancy. The weight of the uterus and baby slow the blood flow back to your heart. This causes you to feel faint. If it happens, turn over and lie on your side. If the faint feeling does not pass quickly, call your doctor right away.
• Cardiac Syncope is due to a heart problem with symptoms including:
  • Chest pain prior to fainting
  • Rapid or irregular pulse
  • Sensation of thumping heart (palpitations)
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fainting during exercise

Other Serious Causes of Fainting:

• Epilepsy
• Stroke or mini stroke (TIA or transient ischemic attack)
• Blood loss; large amount or bleeding inside the body
• Concussion or head injury
• Sudden drop in blood sugar. Mainly happens in people with diabetes.
• Poisoning
• Drug or alcohol abuse
• Seizure

When to Call for Fainting

Care Advice

Fainting Treatment

What You Should Know about Simple Fainting:

• Fainting is common. It can happen at any age. Most faints occur before age 40.
• Standing too long in one place is the most common cause of fainting. It's caused by blood pooling in the legs. It often happens in a hot environment.
• Standing up quickly after lying down can cause anyone to feel dizzy. Sit down again if this happens or you may faint.
• These are normal types of fainting.
• Simple fainting doesn't cause any long-term problems.
• Here is some care advice that should help.

Lie Down:

• Lie down flat with the feet up for 10 minutes.
• Reason: this will increase blood flow to the brain. Simple fainting is due to a sudden drop in blood flow to the brain.
• Caution: getting up too soon can cause you to faint again.
• Caution: keeping the person propped up can delay or prevent recovery.

Drink Some Water:

• Drink a large glass of cool water. Reason: to increase blood volume.
• Do this before you stand up again, if you can.
• Drink some fruit juice if you haven't eaten breakfast yet. Reason: also raises blood sugar.
• In hot weather, drink extra water to stay well-hydrated.

Ease Stress:

• If fainting was due to stress or fear, it may help to talk about what happened.
• Talk about what is causing your stress or anxiety.
• Remain calm. It may help to listen to calming music or focus on calming thoughts, once you are feeling better.

What to Expect:

• Most people with a simple faint are alert within 2 minutes.
• They feel normal after lying down for 10 minutes.
• They are able to stand again without feeling dizzy. It may help to stand up slowly.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Still feeling faint or dizzy after 15 minutes
• You pass out again on the same day
• You think you need to be seen
• Your symptoms get worse

Prevent Simple Fainting

When Dizzy, Lie Down or Sit Down:

• Most fainting can be prevented.
• Learn the early warning signs for fainting. They are feeling dizzy, blurry vision, and nausea.
• If you feel these warning signs, lie down right away.
• If you can only sit, put your head down by your knees.
• You only have 5 - 10 seconds to prevent fainting and falling down.

Move Your Leg Muscles:

• If you will be standing in one place for a long time, tighten and relax your leg muscles. Do this a few times each minute. This will pump the blood back to your heart. Caution: never stand with your knees locked.
• If you will be sitting in one place for a long time, move your feet and legs every few minutes.
• When getting out of bed, sit on the edge for a few minutes before standing. If you feel dizzy, lie down again.
• If getting out of a hot tub or bath, go very slowly.

Extra Water and Salty Foods:

• If you tend to faint, extra water and salt are key.
• Drink extra fluids every day. Your goal is 8 cups (2 liters) per day. You may need more during sports or hot weather.
• Add some salty foods to your diet. Too little salt in your diet also isn't healthy. It can cause low blood pressure.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Fainting happens often
• You have other questions or concerns

Remember! Contact your doctor if you or your child develop any "Contact Your Doctor" symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.




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