What should you know about fainting spells causes?

A reflex faint may follow pain, fear, emotional distress, coughing or prolonged standing. A postural drop can happen when rising quickly, especially after illness or poor fluid intake. Dehydration reduces circulating fluid, while hypoglycaemia can cause sweating, shakiness and impaired awareness. Anaemia may reduce oxygen delivery and cause tiredness or breathlessness. Atrial fibrillation and other rhythm disturbances can reduce effective circulation. These conditions can present with fainting, but fainting alone cannot identify the cause.

If warning symptoms begin, lie flat with your legs raised when safe, or sit with your head between your knees. Sip fluids only when fully awake and able to swallow. Avoid the trigger while arranging medical advice. Keep a timeline of posture, temperature, exertion, meals, fluids, medicines, palpitations and recovery. A clinician may check blood pressure in different positions, examine you and decide whether blood tests or heart monitoring are appropriate.

Get emergency help for fainting with chest pain, breathlessness, a severe headache, new neurological symptoms, significant injury, prolonged confusion or abnormal breathing. Fainting during exercise, while lying down, or without warning deserves urgent assessment. Repeated spells, a family history of sudden cardiac death, pregnancy or known heart disease also warrant prompt medical review.

Ask which causes fit the circumstances, whether your medicines or hydration need review, and whether you need tests for blood count, glucose or heart rhythm. Bring a witness account if possible, because the order of symptoms and movements may help distinguish a faint from another event.