Headache and fainting

Fainting is a brief loss of consciousness caused by reduced blood flow to the brain. It can follow standing for a long time, heat, dehydration, pain, or not eating. Anaemia may contribute to tiredness, breathlessness, or light-headedness. Hypoglycaemia can cause sweating, shaking, hunger, and confusion. Atrial fibrillation and other rhythm problems may cause palpitations or collapse. A headache before or after fainting may also have a separate cause, so the sequence matters.

If someone feels faint, have them lie flat with their legs raised when safe, loosen tight clothing, and move them away from heat. Do not give food or drink until they are fully alert. After recovery, avoid driving, heights, and swimming alone until a clinician has assessed the episode. Write down what happened before the event, how long awareness was lost, injuries, palpitations, food and fluid intake, and any medicines.

Call emergency services for fainting during exercise, chest pain, breathlessness, palpitations, serious injury, pregnancy, prolonged unresponsiveness, repeated episodes, or failure to recover normally. A sudden severe headache, weakness, facial droop, trouble speaking, seizure, confusion, or a stiff neck with fever also needs emergency assessment. Even a single unexplained faint with a headache warrants prompt clinical review.

Was the event likely fainting or another form of loss of awareness? Do I need an examination, blood tests, blood-pressure checks, or a heart rhythm assessment? When is it safe to drive again?