Fainting (Syncope)
Fainting is a sudden loss of consciousness, usually brief and preceded by a sense of lightheadedness or dizziness. It represents the body's way of protecting the brain's oxygen supply. When you faint, you involuntarily fall, allowing more blood to flow to the brain.
A classic cause of fainting is orthostatic hypotension, a sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing up. This condition sometimes occurs in younger people who have been confined to bed for a few days, but it is more common in older persons who have circulatory disorders or who are taking medication for high blood pressure or, less frequently, depression.
Some people are susceptible to a type of fainting called vasovagal syndrome. Given the right circumstances, the vagus nerve, which passes through the neck and chest and controls many involuntary processes, suddenly shunts blood to one part of the body, causing it to pool there and decrease the supply to the brain. Unusual stress or fright, the sight of blood, or exposure to certain odors or sounds can bring on this kind of fainting spell. People with this syndrome know they have a tendency to faint and usually feel warning signs, such as sweating or dizziness, so they can lake preventive action.
Diabetic patients may feel lightheaded and possibly faint when their blood sugar becomes low from too much insulin. People with certain heart conditions, such as arrhythmias, can also be prone to fainting. A person suffering from heat exhaustion, or anyone who has become dehydrated from heavy physical activity or prolonged diarrhea might also faint.
Diagnostic Studies and Procedures
Because serious underlying disorders can bring about loss of consciousness, a person who has fainted without ostensible cause needs a full medical checkup. This includes an electrocardiogram to evaluate heart function and blood tests to check for anemia.
Medical Treatments
Even though the underlying cause should be investigated, in most cases fainting is a transient reaction that does not call for treatment. If fainting results from orthostatic hypotension brought on by the use of anti-hypertensive drugs or other medications, a lower dosage or an alternative drug will usually prevent future episodes.
If you have diabetes and are prone to developing hypoglycemia, ask your physician to prescribe a glucagon gel, a hormone that raises blood glucose levels rapidly. Always carry the medication with you; when you squeeze a small amount into your mouth, it quickly reverses hypoglycemia.
Fainting related to a heart disorder requires taking care of that problem. Depending upon the specific condition, the treatments may range from lifestyle changes to medication and possibly even surgery.
Alternative Therapies
Nutrition Therapy. Some persons feel lightheaded and may faint when they become overly hungry. For them, eating four to six small meals a day and emphasizing low-sugar foods can help. Some nutritionists also recommend a daily supplement of 200 micrograms of the picolinate form of chromium to help stabilize blood sugar. It takes at least two months to see any improvement with this therapy.
Visualization. This technique may be useful to someone who is prone to an extreme vasovagal response and who invariably faints upon seeing blood or experiencing some similar psychological trauma. Such a person might visualize a scenario in which he gains mastery over the automatic reaction by marshalling inner resources.
Self-Treatment
You can usually prevent fainting by lying down with your head lower than the rest of your body, allowing blood to flow rapidly to the brain. If you cannot lie down, sit with your head lower than your heart, but don't put it between your knees -- if you do faint in this position, you might fall on your head and sustain a serious injury.
If you have bouts of onhostatic hypotension, always get out of bed gradually to avoid dizziness. Sit on the side of the bed for a minute or two before slowly standing up.
if you have been fasting and feel faint, drink a glass of orange juice or a soda with sugar in it.
Some people require extra salt and fluids, especially during hot weather or a lengthy workout. If this applies to you, drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water, juice, broth, or other clear fluids daily. You might try a sports drink that replaces the salt lost in perspiration; you may also need to add extra salt when you prepare food.
Other Causes of Fainting
Fainting can be a warning sign of a heart valve problem, a cardiac arrhythmia, or an impending stroke. All of these disorders warrant immediate medical attention. Sometimes, too. fainting episodes occur in the early stages of pregnancy.