Fainting (loss of consciousness, passing out) isn’t addressed in any of my off-grid medicine references. Perhaps it’s just so common, so basic, that the physician authors of these texts don’t think about it, like many other topics that have been posted here. However, it’s something I’ve never seen or experienced, and without a little education on the topic I might not know what to do if someone around me were to pass out.
Fainting, this short-term loss of consciousness that lasts only a few seconds to a few minutes, is caused by a sudden decrease in blood flow to the brain. When the fainting episode ends, the person wakes up and returns to normal.
The most common reasons for fainting include:
- Cardiac—a heart condition affects how much oxygenated blood is pumped to the brain
- Arrhythmias
- Heart attack
- Pulmonary embolism
- Heart failure
- Hypertension
- Carotid sinus—occurs when the carotid artery, which carries blood to the brain—becomes constricted by a tight collar, by stretching or turning the neck too much (as in shaving), or by a bone in the neck that pinches the artery. This is exactly the spot one aims to hit when trying to escape from an attacker.
- Dehydration
- Drug use/abuse
- Heat stress—exercising, playing, or working too hard in the heat, leading to dehydration
- Hyperventilating
- Hypoglycemia—a sudden drop in blood sugars, very common in diabetics
- Medications
- ACE inhibitors
- Antihistamines
- Anti-psychotics
- Calcium-channel blockers
- Diuretics
- Narcotics
- Nitrates
- Neurological conditions (rare)
- Situational—some movements or bodily functions (peeing, pooping, coughing, sneezing, stretching, vomiting) can cause blood pressure to drop and result in fainting.
- Skipping too many meals
- Standing up too quickly
- Especially if the blood volume is low due to blood loss or dehydration
- Also occurs in individuals with a vitamin B12 deficiency, diabetes, or another condition that affects the peripheral nerves, like Parkinson’s
- Vasovagal—a stressful event (sight of blood, emotional stress, physical trauma, pain) initiates what’s known as a vasovagal reaction. The heart slows down, less oxygenated blood is pumped to the brain, blood pressure drops, and the person faints.
Treatment
If someone faints, immediately check the following:
- Make sure the airway is clear.
- Make sure s/he is breathing.
- Make sure the heart is beating.
- Look for signs of injury—especially to the head, or a cut that may need attention.
- Ascertain the reason the person fainted, if possible, to take the most appropriate corrective measures.
- Look for any medical alert jewelry that may indicate a medical condition.
- Patients that may have overheated need to be cooled down and hydrated.
- Patients that are hypoglycemic may need sugar (honey packets or glucose tablets are great for this).
- Make sure there is plenty of circulating air—keep crowds away.
When the patient regains consciousness
- Make sure s/he sits or lies down for at least 10-15 minutes. Sitting with the shoulders lowered and head between the knees is a good position.
- Check for any other injuries that may warrant medical care.
- Offer cold water.
Warning signs indicating the potential for fainting include:
- Cold and clammy or hot and sweaty
- Feelings of being dizzy or lightheaded
- Nausea
- Stress and anxiety
- Slow pulse
- Weakness
- Falling down
- Headache
- Vision changes (“seeing stars”, blacking out, tunnel vision)
- Ringing in the ears
- Loss of muscle control
Most cases of fainting are not a cause for concern. However, if fainting happens often, a physician should be seen for evaluation.
References:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21699-fainting
Members of my family are athletic, and have a low resting heart rate (in the 50's). Anything that causes a blood pressure drop will cause them to pass out. Doctor says it's not a medical concern as long as they don't hit their head on the way down. One family member has learned the signs (listed in your warning signs), and knows to lay down on the ground. Another family member knows not to ever get dehydrated, as that is a cause for them.
ReplyDeleteThe first time I witnessed a family member pass out, I was very concerned - it's scary! But several years later, everyone knows what's going on, and we joke about it.
"...[A]s long as they don't hit their head on the way down." That's the real concern for me. That would open up a whole different can of worms.
DeleteTHANK YOU for stating to not get up and keep going immediately! Worked in a gym. People would pass out, then want to hop up to show they're fine, and go down again, harder.
ReplyDeleteStarted keeping gatorade in the first aid kits. "You're fine? Here, sit still and sip this, lets see how it goes."