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To function properly, our brains rely on a continual flow of oxygen which is carried in our blood. When this blood flow is temporarily reduced you may feel a little dizzy, sick or just odd, and if it is reduced for long enough you may actually faint. Fainting is a short-term loss of consciousness and some people are more prone to fainting than others. There are potentially many reasons why someone may faint, and these include: - anxiety - hunger - pregnancy - stress - tiredness - pain - being too hot - or long periods of standing or sitting still, which causes the blood to pool in the legs, reducing the amount of blood reaching the brain. If someone thinks they are about to faint, help them to lie down immediately as this will help to restore blood flow to the brain. It is not advisable to ask them to just sit down, as fainting whilst leaning forwards risks them falling and hurting themselves further. If you are indoors, ask someone to open a window, as fresh air may help them to recover. When someone has fainted, lay them on their back and raise their legs by about thirty centimetres. Keep them supported, either by resting their legs on your shoulder or by using a box, bag or some other object to support them. This will improve the flow of blood to their brain and they will normally recover quite quickly. As they are starting to recover, calmly tell them what has happened as they may be confused or disorientated. When they are feeling ok, help them to get up in stages, as standing up too quickly may cause them to faint again, if they do feel faint while getting up, get them to lie down again and raise their legs until they fully recover. If they do not regain consciousness quickly, open their airway and check for breathing, then follow the process of treating an unconscious casualty. It is not necessary to ring for the emergency services unless the person has fallen and hurt themselves or does not regain consciousness, however it may be prudent to call a family member or friend to escort them home. If the casualty is in the late stage of pregnancy, they should lay leaning towards their left side, as this will help to prevent restriction of blood flow back to the heart. Regular fainting may be due to an underlying health concern, so should fainting occur often or if you are at all concerned, it may be best to speak to a doctor. If someone faints during exercise or has a seizure after fainting you should always alert the EMS.
Fainting: Causes, First Aid, and When to Seek Help
Understanding Fainting
Fainting, a temporary loss of consciousness, can occur when there is a brief reduction in blood flow to the brain. Learn about the potential causes and what to do when someone is about to faint:
Possible Causes of Fainting
There are various reasons why someone may faint, including:
- Anxiety
- Hunger
- Pregnancy
- Stress
- Tiredness
- Pain
- Excessive Heat
- Prolonged Standing or Sitting
Immediate First Aid
If someone feels like they are about to faint, take these steps:
- Lie Them Down: Help them lie down immediately to restore blood flow to the brain, avoiding sitting, which could lead to falls and injuries.
- Provide Fresh Air: If indoors, open a window to aid in recovery.
Assisting a Fainted Person
When someone has fainted, follow these measures:
- Lay Them on Their Back: Place them on their back.
- Raise Their Legs: Elevate their legs approximately thirty centimeters to enhance blood flow to the brain.
- Offer Support: Support their legs on your shoulder or with a suitable object (e.g., box or bag).
- Communicate Calmly: Explain the situation when they begin to recover, as they might feel confused or disoriented.
- Assist Them Gradually: Help them get up gradually to prevent another fainting episode. If they feel dizzy while getting up, have them lie down and elevate their legs until full recovery.
When to Seek Medical Attention
If the person does not regain consciousness promptly, open their airway, check for breathing, and follow the appropriate steps for treating an unconscious casualty. Contact emergency services if they have fallen and sustained injuries or if consciousness is not regained. It may also be wise to call a friend or family member to accompany them home.
If the individual is in the later stages of pregnancy, have them lean towards their left side to prevent blood flow restriction back to the heart.
Regular fainting episodes may indicate an underlying health issue, so consult a doctor if fainting occurs frequently or if there are any concerns.
If someone faints during exercise or experiences a seizure following fainting, alert emergency medical services.