A Serious Look at Fainting
It sounds like melodrama: People hear bad news or see blood, and the next thing you know they've fainted.
But it's reality for many Americans. They're prone to fainting (called "syncope" by doctors). Fainting is a loss of consciousness, falling down or needing to lie down, followed by spontaneous recovery. Fainting by itself is not a problem, but it could be a sign of a serious health condition. It is usually caused by a sudden decrease in blood flow to the brain. Stress, standing too long and other fairly simple causes can trigger fainting.
It is more common in the elderly. In the young, the problem usually has no serious cause. Triggers include:
Doctors become more concerned when an older person with no history of fainting begins passing out, or when the reason for passing out isn't clear, says Thomas Cavalieri, D.O., chairman of medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-School of Osteopathic Medicine. "Fainting is a reason to call your doctor so that he or she can rule out the possibility of a serious cause," he says. "You should not take it lightly."
Serious causes include:
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Seizures
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Abnormal heartbeat or other heart problems
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Circulatory problems that limit blood flow to the brain
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Brain or nervous system disturbances
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Dehydration
Whatever the cause, all fainting results from a sudden drop in blood pressure that keeps the brain from getting enough blood, says Dr. Cavalieri. Dizziness usually occurs just before you faint. Usually, you have time to sit down.
Certain medications, including some for high blood pressure, heart problems and depression, can cause fainting. So can a lot of alcohol. In many cases, blood that should be returning to the heart instead pools in the legs while standing or in the stomach after a large meal. That unbalanced blood distribution makes you more likely to faint.
Most people who faint stay "out" a few seconds to less than a minute. If the person is unconscious for more than two or three minutes, call 911.
How to cope
What can you do if you're prone to fainting?
Educate yourself about triggers that can make you faint and ask your doctor what you can do to prevent fainting. For instance, people prone to fainting after a large meal sometimes wear abdominal binders during meals and for a few hours afterward to prevent blood from pooling in the abdomen.
Doctors sometimes suggest physical therapy and support stockings to keep blood from pooling in the legs, or exercise to improve circulation. Leg movement while standing may help keep blood from pooling in the legs.
Doctors may tell people to have food or drink containing salt, such as crackers, pretzels or a sports drink. Salt will raise blood pressure, making a sudden drop less likely. But added salt isn't good for many people who have high blood pressure, so you should ask your doctor before increasing your salt intake or taking salt tablets.
Symptoms that can precede fainting are sweaty palms, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, problems seeing or nausea.
If you feel faint:
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Make sure you're in a safe place, then sit down right away so you don't fall and injure yourself.
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Lie down after you've safely reached a sitting position. Prop your feet up on some pillows or a jacket so that your feet are above the level of your heart. This raises blood flow to the heart and in turn the brain -- exactly what you need.
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Place your head between your knees, if you can't lie down, to increase circulation to your brain.
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Turn onto your side to prevent choking if you feel nauseated.
If you do faint, remain lying down for 10 or 15 minutes once you wake up, to improve circulation and promote recovery. Also, try moving your legs to increase blood flow.