Faintness
Faintness Information
Faintness Synonym: Blackout, Syncope, Vasovagal Attack
Faintness is feeling faint, blacking out, passing out or falling down in a faint.
Causes of Faintness
Sudden fall in blood flow due to the brain, due to pooling of the blood in the lower part of the body. Normally in the vertical posture, the antigravity flow of blood id maintained by the involuntary nervous system.
Sudden reflexive over-activity of the vagus nerve, vasovagal syncope, can cause a temporary fall in blood pressure, this reduces blood flow to the brain and is perceived as blacking out. The Faintness passes as soon as the patient lies down.
Blood Pressure quickly returns to normal as the involuntary nervous control regains balance.
Factors that may contribute to Faintness
- Hunger
- pain
- anxiety
- over distended bladder
- a tight collar or scarf
Quick Aid to perform in Faintness
Make the person lie down at once. Raise the feet on a cushion or anything available - at least to a height of 1 feet. The head should be at a lower level than the rest of the body, the safe way of doing this is to raise the feet, not lower than the head.
Recovery is generally quick. When it is not, call the doctor.
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