Fainting
FAINTING
Fainting is a brief loss of consciousness caused by a temporary decrease in blood flow to the brain.
Classification and causes
Fainting can be a reaction to pain, fatigue, lack of food, stress. It can also occur when staying still for a certain period of time: standing for a long time, sitting, especially in a hot environment. This lack of activity causes blood to pool in the legs, reducing blood flow to the brain. Fainting can also occur while urinating, coughing, straining, or after taking medication that lowers blood pressure. When a person faints, their pulse slows down significantly, but quickly rises back to normal. A person who has fainted usually recovers quickly and completely.
How to recognize?
•Brief loss of consciousness, causing the person to fall to the ground.
•Slow pulse.
•Pale, cold skin and sweating.
First aid
Goal
•Improve blood circulation to the brain.
•Calm the person down until they fully recover, and provide appropriate care.
Actions
1. If the person feels weak or dizzy, advise them to lie down. Kneel, raise their legs, and place their ankles on your shoulders; this will help improve blood flow to the brain.
If the person does not want to lie down, have them sit and bend forward, lowering their head onto their knees.
If a pregnant woman suddenly feels weak, have her sit down, lower her head, or lay her on her left side. Instruct her to breathe deeply, open a window. Loosen tight clothing.
2. Ensure the person gets enough fresh air; ask someone to open a window. Loosen clothing around the neck.
3. When the person regains consciousness, reassure them, ask them to lie down for 10-15 minutes, and help them sit up slowly. If they feel weak again, gently lay them down, place their legs on your shoulders, and keep them there until they fully regain consciousness.
4. If they start vomiting, turn their head to the side to prevent choking.
Dangers and notes
•If the person does not quickly regain consciousness, open their airways and check their breathing. If necessary, be prepared to perform chest compressions and rescue breaths, call emergency medical services at 112.
•Call emergency medical services at 112 if:
-consciousness is not regained within a few minutes, despite breathing and heart activity;
-the person is pregnant or over 50 years old;
-they have diabetes;
-they feel chest pain;
-they have slurred speech or cannot move an arm or leg;
-seizures begin.