# Fainting

#### **<span style="color: rgb(224, 62, 45);">What is it?</span>**

##### <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">When your brain temporarily doesn't receive enough blood supply, causing you to lose consciousness. This loss of consciousness is usually brief.</span>

##### <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Fainting might have no medical significance. Or the cause can be a serious disorder, often involving the heart. Therefore, treat loss of consciousness as a medical emergency until the signs and symptoms are relieved, and the cause is known. Talk to your doctor if you faint more than once.</span>

#### <span style="color: rgb(224, 62, 45);">**Symptoms:**</span>

- ##### <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Dizziness</span>
- ##### <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Lightheadedness</span>
- ##### <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Sweating</span>
- ##### <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Changes to your breathing, such as faster and deeply</span>
- ##### <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Altered vision, such as blurring and seeing spots or lights</span>
- ##### <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Nausea</span>

#### <span style="color: rgb(224, 62, 45);">**Plan of Action:**</span>

##### <span style="text-decoration: underline;">**If you feel faint:**</span>

- ##### **Lie down or sit down.** To reduce the chance of fainting again, don't get up too quickly.
- ##### **Place your head between your knees** if you sit down.

##### <span style="text-decoration: underline;">**If someone else faints:**</span>

- ##### **Position the person on his or her back.** If there are no injuries and the person is breathing, raise the person's legs above heart level — about 12 inches (30 centimeters) — if possible. Loosen belts, collars or other constrictive clothing.
    
    ##### To reduce the chance of fainting again, don't get the person up too quickly. If the person doesn't regain consciousness within one minute, call 911 or your local emergency number.
- ##### **Check for breathing.** If the person isn't breathing, begin CPR. Call 911 or your local emergency number. Continue CPR until help arrives or the person begins to breathe.

##### If the person was injured in a fall associated with a faint, treat bumps, bruises or cuts appropriately. Control bleeding with direct pressure.