Have you ever been in a queue or in the sun and suddenly your eyes went blue, your ears popped, and you couldn't see anything around you? You may have even fallen. We usually call this 'fainting'. In medicine, we call this condition syncope. Although it happens to many people, it is important to know exactly why this happens, whether it is something to be concerned about, and when you should see a doctor.
Simply put, what is fainting?
Fainting, or ``Syncope``, is a sudden, brief loss of consciousness and loss of control of the body due to a temporary decrease in blood supply to the brain. Often, before this happens, you may feel dizzy or light-headed. We call this ``Presyncope``.
This is very common. Only 3% of patients who come to the emergency department (ED) are admitted for this reason. Sometimes it can happen to a healthy person without any medical condition. However, if an elderly person faints, they are more likely to suffer serious injuries from a fall. The best part is that most of the time, a person who faints regains full consciousness within a few minutes.
Main causes and types of fainting
There can be many reasons for fainting. Some are very simple, but some are more serious and need attention. Let's look at the two main types.
1. Vasovagal Syncope
This is the most common type . More than half of all people who faint have this type. It is especially common in children and young people. It is caused by an emergency response in our nervous system.
Think about it this way. You went to donate blood, and when you see the needle, or when you feel extreme pain, or when you are under a strong emotional shock, our nervous system suddenly slows down the heart rate and lowers blood pressure. Then, the amount of blood going to the brain is not enough, and fainting occurs. This is called `Vasovagal Syncope` or `Neurally Mediated Syncope`.
2. Cardiac Syncope
This is the type we should be most concerned about . This happens when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to the brain due to a problem.
- Irregular heartbeat (heart rate that is too fast or too slow)
- Structural defects of the heart, such as narrowing of the heart valves
- Pulmonary Embolism
This type of fainting can occur for reasons such as: This is usually a serious condition, so it is essential to seek medical advice immediately.
What are the signs your body gives before you get pregnant?
Often, before you suddenly lose consciousness, your body will give you little 'cues.' If you recognize these, you may be able to sit or lie down safely, avoiding the fall.
If you feel like you're about to faint, sit down as quickly as possible, sit in a chair with your head between your knees, or lie down on the floor with your legs slightly raised.
Here are some common features:
- Sweating like a cold
- Feeling light-headed, dizzy, and blue-eyed
- Difficulty breathing
- Vision changes (darkening around the eyes, seeing dots)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Paleness of the face
- Skin feeling clammy and cold
- Numbness in the limbs
- Feeling uneasy, fearful
| Other common causes of fainting | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Standing up suddenly | This is called ``Orthostatic Hypotension''. It occurs when blood pressure is not properly controlled when changing positions suddenly. It is common in the elderly and those taking certain medications. |
| Dehydration and hunger | When the body is dehydrated and blood sugar levels drop (hypoglycemia), blood supply to the brain can decrease, causing fainting. |
| Anemia | Due to the lack of blood in the body, the blood's ability to carry oxygen is reduced. This can also cause the brain to not receive enough oxygen, causing fainting. |
| Some medications | Some medications for high blood pressure, depression, and epilepsy can increase the risk of fainting. |
| Pregnancy | It is common to experience fainting due to hormonal changes and changes in blood pressure during pregnancy. |
Are 'blackout' and 'fainting' different things?
Yes, this is something that many people confuse. These are two completely different situations.
- Fainting: This refers to a loss of consciousness . You are not aware of what is happening around you, and you fall to the ground.
- Blackout: This is a loss of memory . You are conscious during this time. You are talking, working, and walking. But when you look back later, you don't remember anything that happened during that time.
The main cause of blackouts is excessive alcohol consumption. Also, head injuries (concussions) and epilepsy (epilepsy) can also cause this type of memory loss.
When should you see a doctor immediately?
Usually, fainting once or twice is not a serious problem. However, if you faint frequently , it could be a symptom of an underlying medical condition. Therefore, it is important to see your doctor to find out the cause.
It is essential to seek medical advice immediately, especially in the following cases:
| Situations where you need to go to a hospital (ETU) immediately! | |
|---|---|
| Fainting during exercise: | This is not normal and can often be a sign of a heart problem. |
| Chest pain or palpitations: | If you feel chest pain, tightness, or a racing heart before, during, or after fainting. |
| Taking a long time to regain consciousness: | If you are unconscious for more than a few minutes. |
| Other symptoms: | If you have a severe headache, blurred vision, difficulty speaking, or confusion even after regaining consciousness. |
| Head injury from a fall: | If you fainted and fell and hit your head hard, you should definitely get a medical checkup. |
Important: If you need to talk about a problem caused by alcohol or another drug, you can call the National Poisons Information Centre at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka. You can also get help from services such as the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) hotline 1926 for problems caused by alcohol use and mental health support.
Take-Home Message
- Syncope is a brief loss of consciousness caused by a temporary decrease in blood flow to the brain.
- Most fainting spells (especially the 'vasovagal' type) are not serious, but some can be a sign of a more serious condition, such as heart disease.
- As soon as you feel faint, lie down on the floor with your legs slightly elevated. Alternatively, sit down and lower your head between your knees.
- If fainting occurs frequently, occurs during exercise, or is accompanied by symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath, be sure to see your doctor.
- Never underestimate fainting, especially in the elderly, as falls can cause serious injuries.
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