Fainting is a brief loss of consciousness due to a reduction in the flow of blood to the brain and associated with loss of muscle tone and the color in his face. Before fainting you can also experience weakness, nausea and impaired vision and hearing.
Fainting may be associated with emotional stress, fear, severe pain, taking certain medications , drugs or alcohol, hyperventilation, hypoglycemia, or sudden pressure drops, convulsions or the fact of getting up suddenly standing. Only rarely (usually after the age of 65) it can be associated with more serious health problems like heart disease or stroke.
What kind of diseases can be associated with fainting?
The following diseases may be associated with fainting:
- Anaphylaxis
- Cervical osteoarthritis
- Headache
- Diabetes
- Embolism
- Pulmonary embolism
- Stroke
- Myocardial infarction
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Ventricular hypertrophy
Remember that this is not an exhaustive list and it is highly recommended to consult your doctor, in case of symptom’s persistence.
What is the therapy for fainting?
You must take small steps to prevent fainting, like ways of how to get up slowly from lying or sitting position. If you need to help an unconscious person, it is rather good to check that his airway is clear and if necessary contact an ambulance, loosen the clothing around the neck, raise the foots above the level of the heart and, in case threw up, turn it on its side to avoid choking. After fainting it is well to remain lying down for at least 10-15 minutes, preferably in a cool and quiet environment. If you cannot lie down, sit with your head between your knees.
When is most likely to contact your doctor in case of fainting?
Although it is not an emergency, it's always good after you fainted to seek medical attention, especially if this is the first time this happened, if you faint often or if the fainting is often associated with other symptoms.
It is however advisable to contact the emergency room if the person is unconscious and a victim of a fall, if it's a pregnant woman or over 50 years , if the person has diabetes, in case of feeling of pain, pressure or discomfort in the chest, in case of irregular heartbeat or heavy, if it has trouble speaking, seeing or move his arms, if he has seizures or damage to the tongue and if he loses control of the bladder or bowel.
