Cause of Simple Fainting: Decreased blood flow to the brain. Risk Factors: mild dehydration, fasting, hot weather, lack of sleep, recent illness, change in altitude. Most fainting is harmless. There is a risk of a head or face injury from sudden falling. Simple Fainting Benign Fainting : Types Standing too long in one place before fainting is the most common type. The medical name is orthostatic or postural syncope. Happens at church, graduations, weddings or at events when standing a long time.
More common if one keeps the knees "locked. A person who stands long enough in one place will faint. Standing up quickly often after lying down before fainting is a less common cause. Often this just causes a person to feel dizzy for a short time. More common in the morning after not eating or drinking during the night.
Sudden stressful feelings before fainting. This is called vasovagal syncope. Seeing a badly injured person or pet can trigger fainting. Other examples are seeing someone vomit, bleed or pass a stool. Also, stressful events such as speaking or performing in public can cause fainting. Sudden physical pain before fainting such as getting a shot or a blood test.
But in some cases, it can be due to an underlying heart problem that is more concerning. Triggers include:. Fainting in an older person, a person with heart disease, or during exertion, or while lying down can be a cause for concern. In any of these cases you should call your healthcare provider.
It's important to diagnose the cause of the fainting. Most people who faint stay out a few seconds to less than a minute. If the person is unconscious for a longer time, call To find out if the cause of your fainting is serious, your healthcare provider will ask you questions about how often you faint, how long they last, and the events surrounding the episodes.
Depending on the circumstances surrounding these episodes, your provider may order the following tests:. Electrocardiogram ECG. This gives information about your heart rhythm and heart rate. Echocardiogram echo. This shows the structure of your heart, including the valves. Orthostatic vital signs. This is where your heart rate and blood pressure are measured while you are lying, sitting, and standing.
This is to see whether there is a change related to body position. Tilt table testing. With this test you are strapped to a table while lying flat and then steadily brought to a standing position. Your blood pressure and heart rate are measured often to assess for changes. You may be given medicine to provoke these changes. The most likely cause of this sudden drop will either be some change in the blood vessels or the heartbeat itself.
Blood vessels continually adjust their width to ensure a constant blood pressure. For instance, the vessels constrict tighten when we stand up to counteract the effects of gravity. Temporary low blood pressure can be caused by various events that prompt blood vessels to dilate expand , including extreme heat, emotional distress or pain.
The lack of blood to the brain causes loss of consciousness. Usually, a fainting episode will only last a few seconds, although it will make the person feel unwell and recovery may take several minutes.
Occasionally, a collapse may be caused by a more serious event such as a stroke or a disturbance in the normal heart rhythm. A faint might be telling you something is wrong and further examination is sometimes important. If a person complains of breathlessness, chest pains or heart palpitations, or if the pulse is faster or slower than expected, the person should see a doctor.
Similarly, slurred speech, facial droop or weakness in any limbs are signs of a serious problem. If possible, lie down and elevate the feet. This may prevent a loss of consciousness. Fresh air can also help, especially if you are feeling hot.
If it is not possible to lie down, put your head down as low as possible. If you do faint, remain lying down for ten minutes. Sit up slowly when you need to get up.
Low blood pressure hypotension is a condition characterised by blood pressure that is lower than normal or usual for the person. Hypotension can be caused by a variety of factors including heart disease and abnormal heart rhythms, some infections, dehydration and medications for high blood pressure or certain heart conditions. Frequent fainting spells or sensations of light-headedness need to be medically investigated to check for underlying causes.
Blood vessels respond to gravity by constricting tightening. This increases or maintains blood pressure when we stand up from a sitting or lying position. For this reason, some people, particularly the elderly or those on blood pressure medication, should stand up from sitting or lying in bed slowly. This helps prevent fainting after sudden changes in position.
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