Fainting
Fainting is also known as passing out or syncope. Fainting might be a reason behind reduced blood flow to the brain, and the body loses consciousness for a short while, but it doesn’t mean it’s something severe. Episodes of fainting may last for a few seconds or minutes. Fainting often might be a reason for other symptoms, and it is better to seek a medical professional during the episodes.
Reasons for fainting
- Low or high blood pressure
- A sudden drop in sugar levels
- Skipping meals
- Playing or exercising hard
- Neurologic condition
- Having high temperature
- Being angry or in severe pain
- Heart problems
- Intake of drugs or alcohol
- Dehydration
Symptoms of fainting
- Cold skin
- Sweating
- Dizziness
- Vision blur
- Slurred speech
Consult a doctor if you are unaware of the fainting cause or have fainted more than once recently.
Prevention for fainting
If you have a feeling that you are about to faint, try:
- Lie down with legs raised
- Drink water
- Try to eat
- Take deep breaths
What to do during fainting?
If a person next to you has fainted, follow the below-mentioned steps:
- Try keeping them calm
- Typically, a person wakes within 20 seconds after fainting
- Make them lie on their back
- Provide them with ice or cold water
- Check for their heartbeats
- Make sure that they are breathing
- Check for any injuries while falling down
When fainting is an emergency?
Call for a medical emergency when:
- The person is not woken up for one minute
- Has hurt themselves while falling down
- Having fits or seizures
For personalized advice and support tailored to your health needs, consider our free doctor consultation service, where you can connect with experienced professionals ready to assist you.
Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 23 JUNE 2022