What should you know about fainting room?

Fainting, also called syncope, happens when the brain briefly receives too little blood flow. The person may feel warm, light-headed, nauseated or notice blurred vision before collapsing. Triggers can include standing still for a long time, heat, fear, pain, dehydration or not eating. Anaemia and hypoglycaemia can also contribute; irregular heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation need medical assessment when fainting occurs with palpitations or chest symptoms.

Move nearby furniture or sharp objects away. Lay the person on their back and raise their legs if there is no injury or breathing problem. Loosen tight clothing, keep the room cool and do not give food or drink until they are fully alert. Do not slap them, force them to sit up or leave them alone. If they are not breathing normally, call emergency services and begin CPR if trained.

Call emergency services for fainting during exercise, an injury, trouble breathing, chest pain, a severe headache, new weakness, confusion, a prolonged recovery or repeated episodes. Urgent assessment is also needed if the person has a known heart problem, is pregnant, or faints without warning. Arrange a clinician review after an unexplained episode, even if recovery is quick.

Ask what may have triggered the episode, whether medicines or fluid intake could be involved, and whether you need an examination, blood tests or heart monitoring. Record what happened before the collapse, how long awareness was lost, any movements or injury, and how the person felt afterwards.