Fainting & Passing Out: When Is Fainting Serious?
Turn on any soap opera, and there is no doubt that at some point during your viewing, you’ll see someone faint. You’ll watch as the character slowly falls on the nearest piece of furniture – unable to comprehend the scene that has unfolded before them.
But, for some Americans, fainting isn’t an act to stimulate drama. It’s a real condition that occurs suddenly with little indication. Why does fainting occur, and when should someone who has passed out visit an emergency room?
Causes of Fainting & Passing Out
Fainting is a temporary loss of consciousness that typically occurs from insufficient blood flow to the brain. Fainting is caused by a variety of conditions ranging from mild to life-threatening. Some of the most common causes of fainting and passing out include the following.
- Overheating
- Dehydration
- Heavy sweating
- Exhaustion
- The pooling of blood into the legs
- Giving blood too quickly – as when donating blood
- Intense emotional stress
- Hunger
- Alcohol
- Drugs
- Postural hypotension
- Bradycardia
- Tachycardia
- Blood flow obstruction
Types of Fainting
There are two specific categories of fainting spells – pre- or near-syncope and syncope. Pre- or near-syncope occurs when you experience symptoms of fainting, including falling and losing consciousness, but you remember everything. Syncope is when you’re experiencing fainting and its symptoms, but don’t remember the part where you fall.
Aside from these two categories, there are three different types of syncope:
- Vasovagal syncope involves the vaus nerve and is triggered by emotional trauma, stress and standing for long periods of time.
- Carotid sinus syncope involves the carotid artery and results when the neck is constricted.
- Situational syncope is caused by straining and occurs when coughing, urinating, moving your bowels or experiencing gastrointestinal issues.
Symptoms of Fainting & Passing Out
Losing consciousness is the most sure-sign of fainting, but there are several symptoms that occur before passing out. These signs act as warnings, and usually occur before you fall/slump over and lose consciousness. The most common signs before fainting include the following.
- Heaviness in the legs
- Blurred or tunnel vision
- Confusion
- Feeling warm or hot
- Lightheadedness, dizziness, or a floating feeling
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Vomiting
- Yawning
- Becoming pale
- Reduced blood pressure
- Weak pulse
When should you go to the ER?
Serious issues that cause fainting include heart problems, which temporarily lower your blood pressure. In these scenarios, you may experience palpitations — your heart is skipping a beat or racing — shortness of breath or chest tightness. Experiencing these symptoms are clear indicators that you should take a trip to the emergency room. Make sure that you either call an ambulance or have someone else drive you. Never drive yourself.
If you experience minor fainting episodes caused by suddenly standing up or heat exhaustion, then you may not need to visit an emergency room. An exception is made if falling after fainting has caused damage to your body – including concussions, fractures or other severe injuries. If you’ve hit your head when fainting, are excessively bleeding or are in pain and seemed to have broken a limb, have someone drive you to an emergency care clinic or call for an ambulance.
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