Fainting

Fainting (or syncope, as doctors call it) is a very common health problem that usually is not serious. It causes a sudden, brief loss of consciousness of less than one minute brought on by a quick drop in blood pressure. Most often, you feel as if you're going to faint and you have enough time to sit down before fainting.

You may or may not recall fainting when you awaken and the spell is over. Fainting can be triggered by many different events, but frequently the sight of blood, receiving tragic news, dehydration, coughing or a viral illness can be the culprit. Some medicines also can cause fainting - especially those that affect blood pressure and certain drugs for depression.

Drinking alcohol in large quantities also can cause fainting. Less frequently, fainting is a signal of a serious problem. It can be caused by a seizure, an abnormal heartbeat, a circulatory problem or a problem with the brain or nervous system.

What to Do

See your health care provider if you have any fainting spell at all. Loss of consciousness is a medical emergency and should be treated as such until the person regains consciousness and symptoms dissipate. Your health care provider can determine if it is an symptom of a serious problem. Also see your provider if you frequently feel as if you might faint; if you have fainting spells with chest pain, headache or difficulty breathing, numbness or continued weakness; or if you feel as if you're going to pass out after you have been prescribed a new medicine or changed the dosage of a medicine you're taking.

Use Medicine Effectively

Be aware of the medicines you may be taking and whether they may cause fainting. Drugs for high blood pressure, depression and anxiety may cause fainting.

Self-care Steps for Fainting

• If you feel as if you might faint, sit down immediately to avoid injury from falling on the floor or into furniture or other objects.

• If you're with someone who appears as though they might faint, get the person to a seated position quickly and safely to avoid injury.

• Once you're sitting, try to lie down so that your heart does not have to work as hard. Raise the legs above the level of your head. If you can't lie down, place your head between your knees to increase circulation to the brain.

• Be sure to drink plenty of water. Dehydration, especially in warm, humid weather, is a common cause of fainting.

• Be careful about alcohol and caffeine consumption, since both can cause dehydration, leading to fainting.

• Avoid standing very quickly from a seated or supine position.

• Avoid strenuous activity in very high temperatures and very humid environments.

• Avoid heavy straining when lifting a heavy object or even when going to the bathroom.

• Try to control hard coughing, since it can cause fainting.

• If you're with someone who faints, make sure the person's airway is clear. People who faint sometimes will vomit. If the person begins to vomit, turn him or her on a side to prevent choking.

• Soon after a fainting spell, your facial color should return to normal (no longer appear pale). Remain lying down for at least several minutes to allow recovery from fainting. You may continue to feel weak for a brief time.

• Provide first aid for injuries suffered in a fall caused by fainting.