Symptoms of Fainting and Causes
Fainting occurs due to decreased blood supply to brain and is usually very brief. It may not have medical significance or the cause can be a serious disorder. Therefore, treat loss of consciousness as a medical emergency until the symptoms are relieved and the cause is identified.
Symptoms:
Before fainting, you may experience the following:
- Rapid heart beat or palpitations
- Dim vision
- Nausea
- Excessive sweating
What to do if you feel faint?
- Lie down, or sit down and position your head between your knees.
- If fainting is associated with a fall, treat any bumps, bruises or cuts. Control bleeding with direct pressure.
- If the fainting spells continue to occur, inform a physician.
What to do if someone else faints?
- Position them on their back.
- Check to see if airways are clear.
- Restore blood flow by loosening clothing/belts/collars.
- Elevate feet above head level.
- Check if breathing/pulse is normal.
- If circulation or breathing is absent begin CPR.
- Call 997 or your local emergency number. Continue CPR until help arrives or the person responds and begins to breathe.