Fainting, also called syncope, is a sudden brief loss of consciousness and posture caused by reduced blood flow to the brain. Many different conditions can lead to fainting. These include irregular heartbeats, seizures, low blood sugar, heart problems such as anemia (lack of healthy oxygen-carrying cells) and problems with the nervous system's regulation of blood pressure. Some types of fainting run in families.
While fainting can indicate a specific medical condition, it can sometimes occur in a healthy individual. Fainting is a particular problem for the elderly, who can be seriously injured by a fall when they faint. In most cases, the person who faints regains full consciousness in just a few minutes.
Syncope (fainting) is a common problem, accounting for 3% of emergency room visits and 6% of hospital admissions. Fainting can also occur in healthy people. People may occasionally experience a feeling of faintness, dizziness (presyncope) or loss of consciousness.
A person may experience a simple fainting spell due to anxiety, fear, pain, high emotional distress, hunger or alcohol or substance abuse. Many people with simple fainting do not have an underlying cardiac or neurological problem.
Why does fainting occur?
Fainting can have various causes. A simple episode, also called a vasovagal episode or neurally mediated syncope, is the most common type of fainting episode. It is most common in children and young adults. A vasovagal episode is caused by a decrease in blood pressure, reduced circulation to the brain and loss of consciousness.
Some people may have a problem with the way their body regulates their blood pressure, especially when they suddenly change from a lying or sitting position to a standing position. This is called postural hypotension and can be severe enough to cause syncope. This type of fainting is more common in older people, people who have recently suffered a long-term illness, and people with poor muscle tone. In addition, the factors that cause fainting are as follows;
Autonomic nervous system diseases: The autonomic nervous system is a part of the nervous system that controls involuntary vital functions such as the beating of the heart, the level of narrowness of blood vessels and breathing. Autonomic nervous system problems include acute or subacute dysotonia, chronic post-ganglionic autonomic failure and chronic pre-ganglionic autonomic failure. If a person has one of these problems, they are likely to have other symptoms, such as erectile dysfunction (inability to get or keep an erection), loss of bladder and bowel control, loss of the usual reflexes of the pupils of the eyes or decreased sweating.
Medication: Some hypertension medications that affect the blood vessels can make fainting more likely. However, dehydration, another condition that can affect blood flow in the body and therefore blood pressure, can also make fainting more likely.
Heart or blood vessel problems that block blood flow to the brain: These can include heart block (a problem with the electrical impulses that control the heart muscle), problems with the sinus node (a special area that helps your heart beat), heart arrhythmia (an irregular heart rhythm), a blood clot in the heart. Problems with the lungs, an abnormally narrow aortic valve or some other problems with the structure of the heart can also increase the chance of fainting.
Conditions that can cause unusual stimulation patterns in certain nerves: Fainting during or after urination, fainting due to inflammation and pain in a certain nerve to the mouth, cough syncope and yawning syncope (fainting caused by stretching the neck and arms) can also increase the risk of fainting.
Hyperventilation: Fainting can occur due to hyperventilation (taking in too much oxygen and getting rid of too much carbon dioxide too quickly), intense anxiety or panic, and breathing too suddenly.
What are the symptoms of fainting?
Fainting (syncope) is a short-term loss of consciousness due to insufficient blood and oxygen supply to the brain. It can usually last from a few seconds to a few minutes and the person can recover quickly. Fainting can occur depending on various underlying causes and some symptoms may appear before the person faints. Here are the symptoms of fainting:
1. Dizziness:
One of the most common symptoms before fainting is dizziness. The person may suddenly feel dizzy and have difficulty keeping their balance.
2. Visual disturbances:
Before fainting, vision may become blurred, the visual field may narrow or the person may temporarily experience a complete loss of vision (black vision). There may also be flashes of light or darkening in the eyes.
3. Tinnitus:
One of the symptoms of fainting is a ringing, buzzing or stuffy feeling in the ears. This may indicate that the person's sensory perception is impaired.
4. Nausea:
A person may feel nauseous before fainting. Nausea may be accompanied by stomach discomfort or extreme hot flushes.
5. Sweating:
Cold sweating is a common symptom before fainting. The person's skin becomes moist and cold, sometimes the face may turn pale.
6. Weakness and Fatigue:
The person may feel extremely weak and weak. They may find it difficult to stand and their legs may feel hollow.
7. Change in Heartbeat:
Abnormal rhythms in the heartbeat, such as acceleration (tachycardia) or slowing (bradycardia), may be felt. These changes may indicate low blood pressure, which can lead to fainting.
8. Pallor:
A person's face may suddenly turn pale and their skin may be whiter than normal. Pallor can be a sign that the brain is not getting enough blood.
9. Mental Confusion:
Before fainting, a person may feel confused, unable to think clearly or not understand what is happening.
10. Rapid and shallow breathing:
Before fainting, breathing may accelerate and a feeling of not being able to breathe deeply may occur. This can make the person feel worse due to lack of oxygen.
11. Feeling of Heat or Chills:
The person may feel a sudden wave of heat or chills before fainting. These sensations develop as the body's response to fainting.
12. Relaxation of Muscles:
During fainting, the muscles relax and the person's body may fall involuntarily. The person may suddenly collapse to the floor or, if sitting, may slowly slide and topple over.
13. Short Loss of Consciousness:
The most obvious symptom of fainting is short-term loss of consciousness. The person usually regains consciousness within a few seconds and becomes aware of the event.
Although fainting is usually a temporary condition, it is important to consult a doctor when it recurs frequently as there may be serious health problems underneath.
How is fainting treated?
The treatment of fainting (syncope) varies depending on the underlying condition causing the fainting. In most cases, fainting goes away quickly and may not be a serious health problem, but frequent recurrent fainting or complications during fainting may indicate more serious health problems. The following steps and methods can be applied to treat fainting:
1. First Aid for Fainting:
Immediate intervention to a fainting person is very important to take control of the situation. Here are the first aid steps:
Get the person to lie down or sit in a safe place: Laying the fainting person on their back and elevating their legs about 30 centimeters can help them recover faster by getting more blood flow to the brain. If the person is sitting, they can be made to tilt their head between their knees.
Loosen Tight Clothing: Tight clothing around the neck or waist should be loosened. Ties, belts or tight clothing should be loosened to facilitate blood flow.
Provide Ventilation: Ensure that the person's environment is well ventilated, as lack of oxygen can lead to fainting. Open windows or use a fan to provide fresh air.
Try to wake the person slowly: Try to wake the person slowly to avoid leaving them in a sleepy state. Once the person regains consciousness, allow them to sit or lie down for a few minutes.
2. Identifying the Causes of Fainting:
Although fainting is usually a temporary condition, the underlying causes of recurrent fainting attacks should be investigated. As a result of the evaluation to be made by the doctor, the following methods can be used:
Blood Pressure and Sugar Level Control: Low blood pressure (hypotension) or low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) are common causes of fainting. If such conditions are detected, the person will receive appropriate treatment.
Heart and Circulatory System Tests: Heart tests such as ECG (electrocardiogram), Holter monitor and echo can help determine whether fainting is caused by heart rhythm disorders, heart valve problems or other cardiac problems.
Neurological Assessment: Neurological tests check whether fainting is caused by neurological problems in the brain (epilepsy, risk of stroke, etc.).
Blood Tests: Blood tests can be performed to detect conditions such as anemia or electrolyte imbalances.
3. Treatment for the Underlying Condition:
If an underlying health condition is identified as the cause of fainting, treatment is planned to address this condition:
Heart medication: If fainting is caused by heart rhythm disturbances, antiarrhythmic drugs may be used. People with low blood pressure may also be given blood pressure stabilizers.
Glucose or Food Supplements: If the fainting is caused by low blood sugar, glucose may need to be given to stabilize blood sugar levels or blood sugar may need to be controlled with regular meals.
Vasovagal Syncope Treatment: If the fainting is the result of vasovagal syncope caused by body position or sudden stress, fear, etc., the person is taught stress management techniques and in some cases medications such as beta blockers may be given.
Anemia Treatment: In fainting due to anemia, iron supplements and medications to eliminate anemia may be prescribed.
4. Lifestyle Changes:
Some cases of fainting can be controlled with lifestyle changes:
Drinking plenty of water: Dehydration can cause fainting by reducing blood volume. It is therefore important to drink enough water.
Regular Nutrition: A regular and balanced diet is recommended to prevent fainting due to blood sugar imbalance. It is especially important to avoid going hungry for a long time.
Being Careful in Upright Positions: The risk of fainting may increase, especially after standing for a long time or sudden changes in position. It is recommended to move slowly and avoid sudden changes in position.
Avoiding Triggers: In some people, triggers such as stress, fear or extreme heat can cause fainting. It is important to be aware of these situations and avoid such triggers as much as possible.
5. Psychological Support:
Fainting can sometimes be caused by psychological reasons, such as stress, anxiety or panic attacks. In such cases, methods such as psychotherapy, stress management and relaxation techniques can be effective.
6. Long-term treatment:
For people with recurrent fainting episodes, doctors can make long-term monitoring and treatment plans. Regular follow-ups and medication as needed can help prevent fainting.
Fainting can often be short-lived and harmless, but if it recurs frequently or if fainting puts people at risk of falling and injuring themselves, a doctor should be consulted. Treatment focuses on identifying the underlying cause and taking appropriate steps to address it.