After four to five seconds, you lose consciousness, stop breathing and have no pulse.
Your heart slows down and pumps less blood, so your blood pressure drops. Then, your brain doesn't get enough oxygenated blood, and you faint. Certain bodily movements or functions also can naturally cause a drop in blood pressure that may lead to fainting spells.
Before fainting, it's common to experience some of the following: dizziness. lightheadedness. sweating.
Pre-syncope is the feeling that you are about to faint. Someone with pre-syncope may be lightheaded (dizzy) or nauseated, have a visual "gray out" or trouble hearing, have palpitations, or feel weak or suddenly sweaty. When discussing syncope with your doctor, you should note episodes of pre-syncope as well.
Usually, the person who has fainted will wake up within 20 seconds.
Most often, there is a warning prodrome, consisting of nausea, sweating, pallor, feeling of warmth, tingling of extremities, “graying out” and/or tunnel vision. This prodrome usually affords the patient a warning, allowing time to brace for a fall, thereby preventing serious injury.
Before fainting, you may have sweaty palms, dizziness, lightheadedness, problems seeing, or nausea. In young people, the problem usually has no serious cause, though falls related to fainting can lead to injury. But in some cases, it can be due to an underlying heart problem that is more concerning.
More often than not, fainting will not lead to a diagnosis of a serious medical condition, but it is always best to call your doctor and get checked out. Your doctor will go over your medical history and perform a physical exam.
Some people know when they are going to faint because they have symptoms beforehand, such as feeling weak, nauseated, hot or dizzy. After they regain consciousness, they may feel confused, dizzy or ill for a while but recover fairly soon. A person who faints usually will not suffer any long-term health effects.
Your field of vision may "white out" or "black out." Your skin may be cold and clammy. You lose muscle control at the same time, and may fall down. Fainting usually happens when your blood pressure drops suddenly, causing a decrease in blood flow to your brain.
Fainting usually is caused by a temporary drop in blood pressure. During that brief drop, the brain does not get the blood flow that it needs—and you lose consciousness.
Some people use the terms blackout and fainting interchangeably, but they are different things. A blackout is a loss of memory. Fainting, also called passing out, is a loss of consciousness.
Syncope can be classified into four categories: reflex mediated, cardiac, orthostatic, and cerebrovascular.
A person's loved ones may be relieved that they are finally sleeping, but this is a huge misconception. Passing out does not make anyone get to sleep in the way the body needs to perform in the best way possible. Passing out is just passing time until you come to from your latest inebriated state.
About a third of people say they've fainted at least once. Although often harmless, fainting can cause injuries and sometimes signals a problem with the heart or circulatory system. “Witnessing a faint can be scary, because it can look like the person has died,” says Harvard professor Dr. Lewis A.
Most fainting will pass quickly and won't be serious. Usually, a fainting episode will only last a few seconds, although it will make the person feel unwell and recovery may take several minutes. If a person doesn't recover quickly, always seek urgent medical attention.
Most people with a simple faint are alert within 2 minutes. They feel normal after lying down for 10 minutes.
After four to five seconds, you lose consciousness, stop breathing and have no pulse.
If possible, lie down.
This can help prevent a fainting episode, as it lets blood get to the brain, especially if the feet are propped up a bit. Be sure to stand up again slowly when you feel better — move to a sitting position for several minutes first, then to standing.
Staying well hydrated is an effective way of preventing fainting spells. This means drinking at least 2.5 to 3 litres of fluid per day. You may need to drink more fluid in hot weather, prior to exercise, or if you are unwell with fever, vomiting, or diarrhoea.
One of the most common reasons people faint is in reaction to an emotional trigger. For example, the sight of blood, or extreme excitement, anxiety or fear, may cause some people to faint. This condition is called vasovagal syncope.
During attacks, you may look pale and feel sweaty. Your eyes will usually stay open.