Fainting

Fainting can occur under many circumstances. Typically, one collapses or sinks down without simultaneous signs of pain or other discomfort. During the fainting episode, breathing is calm and slow. It is characteristic that there are no convulsions with an ordinary fainting episode.

Fainting means that one briefly loses consciousness and may collapse. It is estimated that at least every third person faints at least 1 time during their lifetime, even if they are otherwise completely healthy.

Why does one faint?

One faints because the normal blood supply to the brain fails – even if it may be quite brief. However, the blood supply rarely fails completely, so it may be enough that the blood pressure in the brain is temporarily too low. You typically faint after 8 – 10 seconds with too low blood pressure in the brain.

The causes of fainting can be many:

• Lack of fluid
• An unpleasant sight
• A severe pain etc.
• Too low blood pressure
• Too slow pulse
• A diseased heart that pumps too little
• Diseases of the brain and spinal cord
• Diseases of the body’s nervous system
• Side effects of medication – especially diuretics and blood pressure-lowering medication, as well as certain drugs for depression and psychoses

How does the neurologist diagnose fainting?

Often the neurologist can diagnose fainting by hearing your description of what happened:

Did you have any of the following symptoms just before you fainted?

• Slight nausea
• Sweating / feeling of warmth
• Dizziness / light-headedness
• Rapid pulse
• Vertigo
• Trembling in the legs
• A feeling of weakness
• Sounds became distant
• Spots before the eyes

Can one do anything oneself to avoid fainting?

It is a good idea to talk with a neurologist about what happened when you fainted. That way, you can together ensure that the fainting did not have causes that in themselves need to be treated.

If you know that your blood pressure is low, you should avoid putting yourself in situations that lower blood pressure further. The combination of alcohol, a large meal, warm surroundings and standing position can cause fainting, so it may be a good idea to avoid such combinations.

If you learn to recognise the warning signs, you can manage to prevent yourself from falling and hurting yourself.

How is fainting treated?

The neurologist will ensure that there is no serious disease behind the fainting, therefore you will be examined thoroughly.

If one’s own precautions are not enough, and the fainting episodes are recurrent, medical treatment may be considered. There are many options depending on the cause of the fainting episodes.