INFORMATION ON FAINTING

Fainting is a temporary loss of consciousness due to a drop in blood flow to the brain. The incident is brief (lasting less than a couple of minutes) and is followed by quick and full recovery. You can feel lightheaded or dizzy before fainting.
Coma is a longer, deeper state of unconsciousness.

CAUSES OF FAINTING

Fainting may happen while you are urinating, having a bowel movement (especially if straining), coughing strenuously, or when you have been standing in one place for a long time. Fainting can also be related to fear, severe pain, or emotional distress.
A sudden drop in blood pressure can be the reason to faint. This may happen if you are bleeding or severely dehydrated. It may also happen if you stand up very suddenly from a lying position.
Certain medications may lead to faint by causing a drop in your blood pressure or for another reason. Common medicines that contribute to fainting include those used for anxiety, high blood pressure, nasal congestion, and allergies.
Other causes you may faint include hyperventilation, use of alcohol or drugs, or low blood sugar.
Less common but more serious causes include heart disease (like abnormal heart rhythm or heart attack) and stroke.

SYMPTOMS OF FAINTING

Whenever you faint, you will not only experience loss of consciousness, but also feel loss of muscle tone and paling of color on your face. You can also feel weak or nauseated just prior to fainting, and you can sense that surrounding noises are fading into the background.

TREATMENT OF FAINTING

Immediate treatment for the person, who has fainted includes:

• Checking the person's airway and breathing.
• Loosening tight clothing which is being surrounded to the neck.
• Keeping the affected person lying down for at least 10 - 15 minutes, preferably in a cool and quiet space. If the person cannot lie down, have him sit forward and lower his head below the levels of the shoulders, between the knees.
• If vomiting has happened, turning the person onto one side to prevent choking
• feet should be elevated above the level of the heart (about 12 inches).