Fainting: Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment
Fainting, which healthcare professionals call syncope, is a temporary loss of consciousness. Fainting is caused by a temporary loss of blood supply to the brain and may be a sign of more serious illness. People of any age can faint, but older people can have a serious underlying cause. Fainting represents a small portion of emergency room visits and 6% of hospital admissions. The most common causes of fainting are vasovagal disease (sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure) and heart disease. Most fainting, the cause is unknown.
Types of Fainting
In addition to distinguishing fainting episodes based on their underlying cause, one of two different types of fainting can occur:
- Pre- or near-syncope:This occurs when a person can remember events or sensations when losing consciousness, such as dizziness, blurred vision , and muscle weakness . They may remember falling before hitting their head and passing out.
- Syncope:This occurs when a person can remember the sensations of dizziness and loss of vision, but not the fall itself.
What are the Fainting Causes?
Fainting is usually the result of a lack of oxygen to the brain, such as problems with the lungs or blood flow, or carbon monoxide poisoning.
Fainting is a survival mechanism. If the blood and oxygen levels in the brain drop too low, the body immediately begins to shut down non-vital parts to direct resources to vital organs. When the brain detects lower levels of oxygen, breathing quickens to increase the levels.
The heart rate will also increase, so more oxygen will reach the brain. This lowers the blood pressure in other parts of the body. The brain then receives additional blood at the expense of other areas of the body.
Hyperventilation associated with hypotension can lead to short-term loss of consciousness, muscle weakness, and fainting. Different underlying causes can cause fainting. We discuss some of them in detail below:
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Get A Second OpinionNeurocardiogenic Syncope
Neurocardiogenic syncope develops due to short-term autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction. Some people call it neuron mediated syncope (NMS). The ANS controls automatic bodily functions, including heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rate.
In NMS, a drop in blood pressure slows the heart rate and pulse. This temporarily cuts off the blood and oxygen supply to the brain.
Neurocardiogenic Syncope Triggers include:
- An unpleasant or shocking image, such as seeing blood
- Sudden exposure to an unpleasant sight or experience
- Sudden emotional upheaval, as after receiving tragic news
- Extreme embarrassment
- Motionless for a long time
- Strenuous physical activities, such as lifting a heavyweight
Orthostatic Hypotension
Orthostatic hypotension refers to fainting after getting up too quickly from a sitting or horizontal position. Gravity draws blood to the legs, lowering blood pressure elsewhere in the body. The nervous system usually responds to this by increasing the heart rate and narrowing the blood vessels. This stabilizes the blood pressure.
However, if anything interferes with this stabilization process, there may be a poor supply of blood and oxygen to the brain, which leads to fainting.
Orthostatic Hypotension Triggers include:
- Dehydration:If body fluid levels drop, blood pressure will also drop. This can make it harder to stabilize blood pressure. As a result, less blood and oxygen reach the brain.
- Uncontrolled diabetes:A person with diabetes may need to urinate frequently, resulting in dehydration. High blood sugar can damage certain nerves, especially those that regulate blood pressure.
- Certain medications:Taking diuretics, beta-blockers, and antihypertensive drugs can cause postural hypotension in some people.
- Alcohol: Some people pass out if they drink too much alcohol in a short time.
- Certain Neurological Conditions: Parkinson's disease and other neurological disorders affect the nervous system. This can lead to orthostatic hypotension.
- Carotid sinus syndrome:The carotid artery is the main artery that supplies the brain with blood. When there is pressure on the pressure sensors, or the carotid sinus, in the carotid artery, it can cause fainting.
If a person's carotid sinus is very sensitive, blood pressure may drop when they turn their head to one side, wear a tight collar or tie, or move over the carotid sinus while shaving. This can lead to fainting.
Cardiac Syncope
An underlying heart problem can reduce the supply of blood and oxygen to the brain. Possible heart problems include:
- Arrhythmias or abnormal heart rhythm
- Stenosis or blockage of heart valves
- Hypertension or high blood pressure
- A heart attack, in which the heart muscle dies due to a lack of blood and oxygen
This cause of fainting usually requires immediate medical treatment and careful monitoring.
Fainting Diagnosis & Tests
To diagnose your condition, your doctor or licensed health care professional will ask you several questions related to your fainting, including:
- How long have you had fainting and dizziness?
- How often do you feel weak?
- Do you have any other symptoms besides fainting and dizziness?
- Did your symptoms appear with or after illness?
- Have you ever hit your head or injured yourself as a result of fainting?
- Do seizures accompany fainting?
- Have you recently suffered a head injury?
- What medications do you take?
To diagnose the cause of fainting, medical professionals typically perform:
- Physical Examination: Evaluating symptoms and medical history.
- Blood Tests: Checking for anemia, dehydration, or electrolyte imbalances.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): Monitoring heart rhythms for abnormalities.
- Holter Monitor: Continuous heart monitoring over 24 to 48 hours.
- Tilt Table Test: Assessing how body position affects blood pressure and heart rate.
Fainting Treatment Options
Treatment for fainting depends on the underlying cause:
- Hydration: Increasing fluid intake can help prevent dehydration-related fainting.
- Medications: Addressing heart conditions or blood pressure issues with prescribed medications.
- Lifestyle Changes: Incorporating changes such as gradual position changes to manage orthostatic hypotension.
- Counseling: For stress-induced fainting, therapy or stress management techniques may be recommended.
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Book an AppointmentWhen to See a Doctor
Fainting can be a sign of a serious condition, so it's important to take all fainting episodes seriously. Here's when you should seek medical attention:
- First Episode of Fainting: If you experience fainting for the first time, see a healthcare professional as soon as possible.
- Known Fainting History: If you have a history of fainting with a known diagnosis, inform your healthcare provider about any new fainting episodes. They will decide if further evaluation is needed.
- General Guidance: Even if you have a history of vasovagal, situational, or postural fainting and don't usually require hospitalization, many physicians recommend seeing a healthcare professional after any fainting or brief loss of consciousness.
Fainting Preventions
- If you have a history of fainting, try to find out what causes you to pass out so you can avoid these triggers.
- Always get up slowly from a sitting or lying position. If you tend to feel faint at the sight of blood when having blood or other medical procedures, talk to your doctor. They can take certain precautions to prevent you from passing out.
- Finally, don't skip meals.
- Feeling dizzy and faint, and having a sensation of spinning are warning signs of fainting. If you notice any of these signs, sit down and place your head between your knees to help bring blood to your brain.
- You can also lie down to avoid injury from a fall. Don't get up until you feel better.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the common causes of fainting?
Fainting can be caused by various factors, including dehydration, low blood sugar, standing up too quickly, stress, or underlying medical conditions like heart problems or neurological disorders.
2. What are the reasons behind fainting?
Fainting often occurs due to a temporary drop in blood flow to the brain, which can be triggered by factors such as extreme emotional distress, pain, overheating, or certain medications.
3. How is fainting treated?
Treatment for fainting typically involves addressing the underlying cause, such as rehydration, adjusting medications, or managing stress. In some cases, lifestyle changes may be recommended.
4. Are there specific medicines for fainting?
While there is no specific medication for fainting itself, doctors may prescribe medications to manage underlying conditions that could lead to fainting episodes, such as heart arrhythmias or anxiety.
5. What are the causes and treatment options for fainting?
Fainting causes can range from benign to serious, including dehydration and heart issues. Treatment focuses on identifying the cause and may involve lifestyle changes, medication, or further medical evaluation.
6. What symptoms accompany fainting?
Symptoms of fainting may include dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, blurred vision, and a feeling of weakness before the actual fainting episode occurs.
7. Is fainting a serious condition?
Fainting can be benign, but it may also indicate a serious underlying health issue. If fainting occurs frequently or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, medical evaluation is recommended.
