Fainting
Alternate Names : Passing Out, Syncope, Syncopal Episode
Fainting is a temporary loss of consciousness and muscle tone. It is caused by not having enough blood flow to the brain.
What is going on in the body?
When there is not enough blood flow to the brain, passing out protects the brain from damage. People who faint generally lose muscle tone and fall to the ground. When someone is lying on the
ground, the blood being pumped out of the heart doesn't have to fight gravity
to get to the brain. Those who faint have a relaxed body, which uses less
energy. This also makes it easier for the heart to pump blood to the brain.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
The cause of fainting may be minor or it may be life-threatening. Often, no
cause can be found. The following diseases and conditions may cause fainting:
anemia, or a low red blood
cell count
arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats
carotid stenosis, which is narrowing of the arteries supplying the brain
congestive heart failure, a condition in which a weakened heart fails to pump enough blood to body organs
hypoglycemia, which is a low blood sugar that occurs most often in people with diabetes
low oxygen in the blood from any cause
orthostatic hypotension, or low blood pressure that is caused by standing up too quickly
pulmonary embolus, which is a blood clot in the arteries supplying the lungs
Additional factors that can cause fainting are as follows:
dehydration
extreme fatigue
low blood pressure as a side effect of medications for high blood pressure
marked fear
pain, such as an acute injury
prolonged or severe coughing
side effects of certain medications, such as sedatives
straining to urinate or have a bowel movement
stressful events
There may be other causes as well. In some cases, no cause is found.
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