Most of us will have experienced a faint at some point in our lives, but what exactly causes this phenomenon?

What is a faint and why does it happen?

A faint is a brief and sudden loss of consciousness, normally due to a reduction in the blood flow to the brain. Normally, a faint results in a person falling to the floor.

The brain requires a constant supply of Oxygen and nutrients, this supply is provided by the blood.

There are numerous things that can interrupt this supply. For example, blood tends to pool in the legs during periods of inactivity (e.g: standing or sitting for long periods of time).

If you suddenly stand up, the heart has to work harder to pump this blood upwards against gravity. This can cause a “head rush” in some people, with a feeling of dizziness.

However in other people, this interruption in the blood supply to the brain causes them to loose consciousness – a faint.

Generally once a person has fainted and fallen to the floor, they regain consciousness very quickly. This is because when lying down, the heart finds it easier to pump blood to the brain as it isn’t working against gravity.

There are some tell-tale signs that someone is going to faint. They may go very pale/white, and look unsteady on their feet. Also they may complain of feeling ‘light headed’ or ‘funny’.

Signs and Symptoms of Fainting

The symptoms of fainting include:

• Lightheadedness
• Dizziness
• Collapse
• Nausea
• Heightened restlessness and anxiety
• Sweating
• Changes in breathing
• Altered vision

How to Treat a Patient Who Has Fainted

Here is how to treat a patient who has fainted:

• Help the person lie down. In case someone has fainted on a chair, help them get to the ground.
• Roll the person on their side if they are unconscious. Check if they have a pulse and if they are breathing. In case they don’t have a pulse and are not breathing, call the emergency medical services and begin CPR.
• Keep the person’s feet elevated above the height of their head, if possible.
• If heat was the reason behind the person fainting, loosen or remove their clothes and attempt to cool them down by fanning them or wiping them with a wet cloth.
• If they have fallen, help them in case they are injured.
• If the person doesn’t gain consciousness in a few seconds or recover within a couple of minutes, call for an ambulance.

FAQs

Conclusion

A person usually faints due to a drop in blood pressure, which causes a reduction of blood flow and oxygen to their brain.

Fainting spells aren’t a cause for concern. However, one should get in touch with their healthcare provider if they faint too often or display other symptoms. By finding the cause behind it, fainting spells can be prevented in the future.