First Aid for Fainting or Losing Consciousness
Fainting is defined as a sudden, temporary loss of consciousness which is caused by insufficient oxygen in the brain. The medical term for fainting is syncope (pronounced SIN-kuh-pee).
When people faint, they are unaware of passing out. They will only realize that they have fainted after they have regained consciousness.
A person who is about to faint generally experiences several symptoms or warning signs. Before a fainting episode, a person may feel weak, lightheaded, dizzy, nauseous, or sweaty. They may experience impaired vision and the room may seem to be spinning. Observers may notice that someone who is about to faint appears pale and has dilated pupils. A person can be aware of these symptoms in a near-faint. However, in a near-faint the person will not completely lose consciousness.
Someone who has fainted may be confused upon wakening, but will regain mental clarity very quickly. The cause of fainting may not be serious, but you should seek medical care if you witness someone lose consciousness. Fainting is not normal, and you should call 911 to assist someone who has fainted.
If someone looks about to faint, you can try to avoid injury by helping him or her to the ground. To help a person recover from fainting, you must return blood to the brain. Place the person on the ground with slightly elevated legs. Alternatively, the person can lean forward with his or her head between the knees for several minutes. A cool, quiet place will often help someone who has fainted to feel better.
If someone faints and regains consciousness with no apparent injury, he or she should contact a doctor for follow-up care. The person who has fainted should not attempt to drive a car. It may be unnecessary to go to the hospital if the cause of the fainting is apparent (such as dehydration) and the person has no additional symptoms.
If a person faints, is not breathing, and has no pulse, you should perform CPR and call 911. If someone faints, receives a head wound, and is not responding, do not move the person. Staunch any bleeding and call for emergency medical care.
A doctor may check someone who faints for low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia. Doctors may place an IV, supply oxygen, or check the person with a heart monitor. Treatment will depend on the underlying condition that caused the fainting.
Fainting is not caused by a head injury. If someone loses consciousness after a head trauma, that is known as a concussion. Fainting, on the other hand, can be the cause of a head injury. This may occur if a person falls when he faints and hits his head.
The usual cause of fainting is from an abnormal circulatory reflex. Sometimes, the heart pumps faster and the blood vessels relax, but the heart cannot maintain blood flow. This is known as vasovagal syncope, or the common faint. It can be caused environmentally, from being in a hot, crowded place. The common faint can sometimes be emotional produced from stress or the sight of danger. If these are the triggers for the fainting, care for the person by gently removing him or her from the situation.
Vasovagal syncope can also be caused by illness, such as fatigue, dehydration, or low blood sugar. Treatment in this case is quite simple; provide the person who has fainted with water for dehydration or a sugary snack for hypoglycemia.
Often, people can faint just by moving positions from lying down to standing up. This is called postural syncope. Someone who feels normal lying down will suddenly faint upon standing due to a loss in blood pressure. When the person stands, his or her blood flow to the brain decreases too quickly.
Postural syncope can be caused by low circulating blood volume due to heat exhaustion, dehydration, or losing a large amount of blood. If a person has impaired circulatory reflexes, he or she may also experience postural syncope. Causes include medications, nervous system disorders, or congenital problems.
The most serious reason for fainting is termed cardiac syncope. This happens because of heart disease and is usually critical. Cardiac syncope may be a result of an arrhythmia, or abnormal heartbeat. This type of fainting may also be an effect of cardiac obstruction or heart failure. Cardiac syncope will also usually be accompanied by chest pain or trouble breathing.
Sometimes, fainting is a consequence of a neurological problem. Fainting can be caused by a stroke or migraines. Seizures cause unconsciousness, but are not related to fainting.
When you witness someone faint, try to determine the cause of the syncope. This will help you to determine the best treatment. When in doubt, call 911 for assistance.