What should I do if I only pass out once?
Even people who only pass out once should at least get an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), which records the electrical activity of your heart. Tell your doctor about the specific circumstances of your fainting spell, such as what you were doing and how you felt immediately before fainting.
How do you treat a person who has fainted?
You can elevate the legs to help blood flow return to the brain, but it is generally not necessary and there's some debate on whether it is effective. Treatment after that depends on the cause of fainting. If this is the first time this person has ever fainted—or if you don't know—call 911.
What causes a person to pass out?
The resulting lack of blood and oxygen to the brain is what causes a person to pass out. Doctors sometimes refer to vasovagal syncope (VVS) as neurocardiogenic syncope or reflex syncope. This condition typically occurs when the body overreacts to a stimulus that induces a state of fear or emotional distress.
What happens when a person passes out and falls?
A very common injury incurred by people when they pass out is falling and hitting their head upon collapse. If you happen to be present when a person spontaneously falls to the floor, it is important to be prepared to help by knowing what steps to take.
What medicine helps with passing out?
A drug called fludrocortisone acetate that's normally used to treat low blood pressure may be helpful in preventing vasovagal syncope. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors also may be used.
Which procedure should not be done for a person who has fainted?
Note: If the person vomits while he/she is unconscious, quickly turn him/her to allow the fluid to drain while protecting the person's airway. Do not attempt to give an unconscious person anything by mouth. Do not shake or slap a person who has fainted to attempt to make him/her regain consciousness.
How do you treat fainting?
lie down with your legs raised – if you cannot do this, then sit with your head lowered between your knees. drink some water. eat something. take some deep breaths.
Is fainting a medical emergency?
Fainting is not usually serious, but sometimes, it can indicate an underlying medical issue. People should treat every case of fainting as a medical emergency until they have uncovered the cause and treated the symptoms.
What is it called when you lose consciousness?
It comes on suddenly, only lasts for a short time and you recover fully within a short time. It is also often called a blackout. The medical term is syncope. It isn't the same thing as a seizure which usually causes jerking.
What does a doctor check for?
Your doctor will examine you. He or she will check your heart, including your blood pressure when sitting and standing and your pulse. You may be asked to have a heart tracing (an electrocardiogram, or ECG). You may have blood tests for anaemia and diabetes.
What does it mean when you faint?
When you faint, you become unconscious for a few seconds. It is also called passing out or blacking out. The medical term for this is syncope. You may feel sick and sweaty first or pass out with no warning at all. When you pass out, you fall to the ground.
Why do I faint when I'm a teenager?
In older people, fainting is more likely to be due to an underlying heart problem, low blood pressure or as a side-effect of medication .
Why do I get blacked out?
Other causes of blacking out may be due to low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) and lack of oxygen (hypoxia) from a variety of causes.
How old do you have to be to get a syncope?
Most people (95%) have their first attack of syncope before they're 40 years old. If you have it for the first time after 40, it is more likely to be due to a serious underlying problem. The most common cause is a common faint, also called neurally mediated syncope (NMS).
Why do I faint when I exercise?
Cardiac syncope: this occurs due to an underlying heart problem. There may be a family history of sudden death. The faint may be preceded by chest pain or the sensation of having a 'thumping heart' (palpitations) and may happen during exercise.
What to do if you have passed out multiple times?
Even people who only pass out once should at least get an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), which records the electrical activity of your heart.
What to do when you are unconscious?
A cool, quiet place is best. A cool drink of water may also help. Learn more about first aid tips for unconsciousness. If the person isn’t breathing, immediately call 911 or your local emergency services.
How to stop fainting when you get blood drawn?
Always get up slowly from a sitting or lying-down position. If you tend to feel faint at the sight of blood when getting your blood drawn or during other medical procedures, tell your doctor. They can take certain precautions to prevent you from fainting. Lastly, don’t skip meals.
What causes fainting in the body?
Fainting can be triggered by a number of factors, including: fear or other emotional trauma. severe pain. a sudden drop in blood pressure. low blood sugar due to diabetes. hyperventilation. dehydration. standing in one position for too long.
What does it mean when you faint?
Understanding fainting. Fainting happens when you lose consciousness for a short amount of time because your brain isn’t getting enough oxygen. The medical term for fainting is syncope, but it’s more commonly known as “passing out.”. A fainting spell generally lasts from a few seconds to a few minutes. Feeling lightheaded, dizzy, weak, ...
How do you know if you're fainting?
Feeling lightheaded and weak and having the sensation of spinning are warning signs of fainting. If you notice any of these signs, sit and put your head between your knees to help get blood to your brain. You could also lie down to avoid injury due to falling. Don’t stand up until you feel better.
What to give your doctor for a medical history?
Be prepared to give your doctor a complete medical history, including information about previously diagnosed conditions and any prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications you take. Depending on the findings from a physical examination, your doctor may order additional tests.
What happens when you pass out?
A very common injury incurred by people when they pass out is falling and hitting their head upon collapse. If you happen to be present when a person spontaneously falls to the floor, it is important to be prepared ...
What to do if someone collapses and is unconscious?
The first action to take if a person collapses and is unconscious is to have a person nearby call 911. It is vital to the person's chances of survival that someone call 911 immediately so EMS professionals arrive on the scene as soon as possible, as they may actually be able to treat or revive the unconscious person.
What to do if someone stops breathing?
If at any time, the person stops breathing, changes colors, or is not moving or responding, and you suspect him to be dead, you should immediately start CPR to keep oxygen and blood flowing through the person's body until paramedics arrive to take over.
How to check if someone is unconscious after 911?
After 911 has been called, you should place a hand on the person's forehead to stabilize his head and keep his neck from moving around, tap on his collarbone, and shout to the person to determine if he is unconscious. Next, check for signs of life by looking (down their body for movement / signs of breathing), listening (for breathing / sounds), ...
Why do I pass out?
The reason most people pass out is a lack of circulation of oxygen to the brain . It turns out that there are many very different causes for this lack of circulation of oxygen. Among the most common reasons are an electrolyte disturbance, high or low blood sugar, a heart condition, a seizure, a severe injury, a stroke, ...
When to use AED?
These techniques should be used until professional medical personnel arrive to take over.
Can you do CPR with hands only?
Remember that if you are in a situation to perform CPR but you do not have a one-way barrier with which to perform rescue breaths, you can always perform hands-only CPR, which can be very effective on its own. After performing CPR for some minutes, reassess for airway, breathing, and circulation.
What to do when someone faints?
React and call. If someone is standing when they faint, catch them, gently lower them to the floor and call 911. If they have tight-fitting clothing, loosen it to the best of your ability. Anyone who loses consciousness for even a moment should get evaluated by a medical professional. 2.
What to do if you are unconscious and you are vomiting?
If you think the unconscious state is the result of a spinal injury , don't try to readjust the victim unless he or she begins to vomit.
What to do if someone faints?
If you or someone else has fainted, call 911 or go to your nearest Urgent Care. Fainting may be caused by a variety of medications, diseases, and conditions, but it isn't caused by a head injury, which is considered a concussion. Some causes of fainting can be a warning sign of a life-threatening situation.
Why do I faint when I have an autopsy?
Pain can stimulate the vagus nerve and is a common cause of fainting (vasovagal syncope). Other noxious stimuli can do the same thing, including situational stressors. Commonly, medical and nursing students faint when observing their first operation, autopsy, or when a person or someone else is bleeding.
What causes a fainting heart?
When the vagus nerve is stimulated, excess acetylcholine is released, the heart rate slows and the blood vessels dilate, making it harder for blood to defeat gravity and be pumped to the brain. This temporary decrease in blood flow to the brain causes the fainting episode.
What happens when you faint?
For fainting or syncope to occur, either the reticular activating system loses its blood supply, or both hemispheres of the brain are deprived of blood, oxygen, or glucose. If blood sugar levels are normal blood flow must be briefly disrupted to the whole brain or to the reticular activating system for fainting to occur.
Why do young people faint?
In young people, especially athletes, fainting or syncope can occur because of abnormal thickening of parts of the heart muscle ( hypertrophic cardiomyopathy ). This may obstruct blood when it tries to leave the heart, especially when the heart is asked to beat harder during exercise.
What happens after a syncopal episode?
After a syncopal episode, the person should return to normal mental function. However, there may be other signs and symptoms of fainting depending on the underlying cause of fainting. For example, if the person is having a heart attack, may complain of chest pain or pressure.
Why does the brain lose blood flow?
Fainting causes a decrease in blood flow to the brain because. The heart fails to pump the blood. The blood vessels don't have enough tone to maintain blood pressure to deliver the blood to the brain. There is not enough blood or fluid within the blood vessels. A combination of reasons one, two, or all three.
What is the name of the sudden loss of consciousness from a lack of blood flow to the brain?
Fainting ( syncope) is a sudden loss of consciousness from a lack of blood flow to the brain. People who faint usually wake up quickly after collapsing. Management for fainting is simple: Let the patient recover while lying flat (supine). Equally as important as immediate management is treating the cause of the fainting.
How to tell if you're fainting?
Before fainting, a patient can exhibit or feel all or some of these signs and symptoms, depending on the cause of fainting: 1 1 Dizziness or feeling lightheaded 2 Confusion 3 Nausea 4 Sudden trouble hearing 5 Tunnel vision or blurred vision 6 Sweating 7 Flushed or pale color 8 Feeling hot 9 Weakness 10 Trembling or shaking 11 Headache 12 Shortness of breath
What are the symptoms of fainting?
In cases of fainting caused by stimulation of the vagus nerve, people may have cramps or an urge to have a bowel movement right before they pass out.
How long does it take to wake up from a fainting?
If the person has a history of fainting, watch the breathing and give them a couple of minutes to wake up. If the person doesn't wake up within three minutes of lying flat, call 911.
Why do drugs knock you out?
Other drugs—legal as well as illegal—can knock you out for a variety of reasons: Nitrates quickly lower blood pressure. Diuretics make you urinate and can lead to dehydration. Stimulants dry you out and raise your temperature. Opiates lower blood pressure and slow breathing. Heart drugs often lower blood pressure.
Is it dangerous to lose consciousness with low blood pressure?
Not all losses of consciousness are related to the vagus nerve. Shock is a condition characterized by low blood pressure that often leads to a loss of consciousness. As a society, we are very aware of the long-term consequences of high blood pressure, but very low blood pressure is much more immediately dangerous. 2
What is the term for a person who faints when they have a sudden drop in heart rate?
Summary. The term vasovagal syncope describes fainting that occurs in response to a sudden drop in heart rate or blood pressure. The resulting lack of blood and oxygen to the brain is what causes a person to pass out. Doctors sometimes refer to vasovagal syncope (VVS) as neurocardiogenic syncope or reflex syncope.
What are some examples of fainting?
A doctor may also attempt to rule out alternative causes of fainting using one or more tests. Examples of such tests include: Electrocardiogram (EKG), which measures electrical activity in the heart. Echocardiogram, which assesses heart motion and blood flow through the heart.
What is the condition called when the body overreacts to a stimulus that induces a state of fear
Doctors sometimes refer to vasovagal syncope (VVS) as neurocardiogenic syncope or reflex syncope. This condition typically occurs when the body overreacts to a stimulus that induces a state of fear or emotional distress. Other causes may include severe pain, exhaustion, or sudden changes in body posture. Some people have a predisposition ...
When to see a doctor for VVS?
When to see a doctor. People who have previously experienced VVS should talk to their doctor if they experience any new triggers or symptoms. People should also see a doctor if they experience fainting for the first time. However, it is not always possible to diagnose VVS from a single episode of fainting.
Can you faint from vasovagal syncope?
People should also see a doctor if they are unsure of the cause of fainting. There are no standard treatments for vasovagal syncope. Instead, treatment generally involves making certain dietary and lifestyle changes, as well as avoiding potential triggers of fainting. Last medically reviewed on January 3, 2020.
Does VVS require treatment?
VVS does not typically require treatment. However, a person may sometimes be slow to regain consciousness after an episode of fainting. A bystander can intervene by laying the person on their back and raising their legs in the air.
Can you take meds for VVS?
Doctors advise people with this condition to avoid known fainting triggers and take precautions to prevent injury when signs of imminent fainting begin. Medications are not usually necessary for VVS.
How to help someone who is not alone?
Recognize that you may not change the behavior, but you can help the person find resources , identify coping strategies and offer support during treatment. Support the treatment plan.
What is the best therapy for a person who has a negative attitude?
Develop healthy problem-solving skills. Several types of individual psychotherapy may be helpful, such as: Cognitive behavioral therapy ( CBT), which helps you identify unhealthy, negative beliefs and behaviors and replace them with healthy, adaptive ones.
What to do if you injure yourself?
If you injure yourself severely or repeatedly, your doctor may recommend that you be admitted to a hospital for psychiatric care. Hospitalization, often short term, can provide a safe environment and more-intensive treatment until you get through a crisis. Mental health day treatment programs also may be an option.
How to stop self harming?
Try not to judge or criticize. Criticism, yelling, threats or accusations may increase the risk of self-injuring behavior. Offer support, praise efforts to express emotions in healthy ways and try to spend positive time together. Let your loved one know you care no matter what.
What is the first appointment for self injury?
Your first appointment may be with your family doctor, another health care provider, a school nurse or a counselor. But because self-injury often requires specialized mental health care, you may be referred to a mental health professional for evaluation and treatment.
How to treat self harming behavior?
There's no one best way to treat self-injuring behavior, but the first step is to tell someone so you can get help. Treatment is based on your specific issues and any related mental health disorders you might have, such as depression.
What is a diagnosis of self injury?
Diagnosis is based on a physical and psychological evaluation. You may be referred to a mental health professional with experience in treating self-injury for evaluation. A mental health professional may also evaluate you for other mental health disorders that may be linked to self-injury, such as depression or personality disorders.
Survivors usually aren't responsible for debts, but there are exceptions
Julie Garber is an estate planning and taxes expert with over 25 years of experience as a lawyer and trust officer. She is a vice president at BMO Harris Wealth management and a CFP. Julie has been quoted in The New York Times, the New York Post, Consumer Reports, Insurance News Net Magazine, and many other publications.
What Is a Solvent Estate?
The executor or personal representative appointed to manage the estate will pay the decedent's bills as part of the probate process. 2 An estate is said to be solvent if the decedent left sufficient assets and cash to pay off his debts after his death.
An Example
A decedent's estate is considered solvent if the value of all the decedent's assets adds up to $500,000 and his debts, including mortgages and car loans, equal $350,000. The personal representative can pay his bills in full, although she might have to sell the car and the real estate to cover those loans.
What Is an Insolvent Estate?
An insolvent estate is one that doesn't have enough assets to pay off all or even some of the decedent's bills. The total is equal to or less than the debts he owed when the value of his probate estate is tallied up. 3
Nursing Home Bills
Nursing home bills can be tricky in some states. Several jurisdictions allow these institutions to pursue adult children for some portion of their parents' unpaid medical bills if the estate can't cover them. 8
Cosigned Debts
The situation also changes with debts that weren't taken in the decedent's sole name. If you cosigned with him on a credit card or an auto loan, this debt does not go away with his death even if his estate is insolvent. Nor is his estate responsible for paying it if indeed is solvent. 2
Marital Debts in Community Property States
Debts incurred by either spouse in community property states are generally considered to be equally owed by both of them, even if only one spouse contracted for the debt. They're effectively owed by the marital "community," not by either spouse individually, so the surviving spouse could remain liable for these debts. 2
