Syncope
Fainting (syncope)is a sudden temporary loss of consciousness that usually results in a fall.
When you faint, you'll feel weak and unsteady before passing out for a short period of time, usually only a few seconds.
There may not be any warning symptoms, but some people experience:
This will encourage blood flow to yourbrain.
If it's not possible to lie down, sit with your head between your knees. If you think someone is about to faint, you should help them lie down or sit with their head between their knees.
If a person faints and doesn't regain consciousness within one or two minutes, put them into the recovery position .
You should then dial 999, ask for an ambulance and stay with the person until medical help arrives.
Most cases of fainting aren't a cause for concern and don't require treatment,but less common types of fainting can be medical emergencies.
You should see your GP after faintingif you:
If your first episode of fainting occursafter 40, it may be a sign of a more serious underlying problem.
Fainting can occur when the blood flow to the brain is reduced.
Your body usually corrects reduced blood flow to the brain quickly,but it can make you feel odd, sweaty and dizzy. If it lasts long enough, you may faint.
Reduced blood flow to the brain isoften caused bya temporary problem withthe part of your nervous system thatregulates the body's automatic functions, including heartbeat and blood pressure.
This type of fainting is called neurally mediated syncope. It can be triggered by:
Treatment for fainting will depend on the type you're experiencing. In many cases of neurally mediated syncope, no further treatment is needed.
If you've had a fainting episode, you can avoid it happening again by:
Veins
Veins are a type of blood vessel. They carry blood back to the heart.
Read about fainting (syncope), a sudden temporary loss of consciousness that usually results in a fall.
Read about symptoms of fainting. When you faint, you'll usually feel week and unsteady before passing out for a short period of time, usually foronly afew seconds.
Read about the causes of fainting. Fainting (syncope) is caused by a temporary reduction in blood flow to the brain. This can occur for a number of reasons.