{"id":3019,"date":"2019-01-08T07:59:11","date_gmt":"2019-01-08T07:59:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/?p=3019"},"modified":"2021-08-06T02:22:50","modified_gmt":"2021-08-06T02:22:50","slug":"25-possible-causes-of-fainting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/25-possible-causes-of-fainting\/","title":{"rendered":"25 Possible Causes of Fainting"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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There are numerous triggers that could cause fainting. Essentially they all lead back to a drop in blood pressure or not being able to get enough oxygen. Often, too, fainting is a precursor to something more serious so it should never be dismissed as trivial simply because you have recovered in 5 seconds. The danger of fainting, of course, is that you could sustain a real trauma in the process, such as a concussion, or even injure others, for example if you are driving at the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The medical term for fainting is vasovagal syncope. It is, therefore, to do with both the heart (vaso) and the nervous system and signals from the brain (vagus – the largest cranial nerve). When you faint, your body essentially short circuits. Usually, it does so not because it is forced to, but as a pre-emptive measure to protect you from something worse happening. Here are many of the varied reasons you could pass out, and some are less obvious than you would have imagined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Stress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Anything that can induce an irregular heartbeat, whether fast or slow, will change blood pressure. A sudden change in blood pressure<\/a> will mean that the brain does not get enough blood to process and send signals such as \u2018stay awake\u2019 to the body. When blood flow to the brain is short-circuited, whether the pressure is high or low, you can lose consciousness for a short while and faint. One of the reasons behind this is stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Emotional stress or volatility can not only raise blood pressure, but also increase cortisol levels. Research proves it can stimulate the sympathetic nervous system and cause an irregular heartbeat. Statistics indicate that 20 percent to 40 percent of unexpected cardiac deaths are brought on by emotional stressors. In other words, it leads to cardiac abnormality that\u2019s triggered by emotional stress and increases the risk of arrhythmias. Other than death, it can also lead to fainting. Common examples are when people received unexpected bad news about a loved one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Heat Stroke<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your body needs to be at just the right temperature<\/a> to function properly. Internal bodily temperature can be adjusted when you overheat slightly, such as by sweating. However if the rise in temperature is too sudden or goes on for too long without relief and hydration in the form of water, sweating may not be enough as a cooling mechanism. This is when the body can literally short circuit to gain temporary relief, just as when bad wiring causes power to go out or your laptop overheats and switches off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heat-related illness can cause a rash or cramps, or severe conditions such as heat stroke, which can even be more fatal. The elderly are more susceptible to heatstroke as their bodies cannot adjust quickly, or because there are other underlying conditions at play as well. In the general population, those most at risk of fainting from heatstroke are those over 65, babies, pregnant women, people with high blood pressure or lung disease, and those on medication for mental illness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Pulmonary Hypertension (PH)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

PH is a rare lung disease which is eventually fatal. Simply put, the lungs <\/a>can no longer take in enough oxygen and blood flow is severely compromised, leading to fainting and chronic fatigue, among other factors. PH sufferers describe living with the condition as having to breathe through a straw-filled with a milkshake. PH is actually a form of severe high blood pressure. In an alarming statistic, the number of PH cases diagnosed has increased from 1 to 2 in every one million people in the US, to between 7 to 15 cases. This is probably because the disease was usually mistaken for a heart condition in the past, but better diagnostics and increased awareness have changed this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a common form of PH, tiny lung arteries called pulmonary arterioles to become blocked or damaged. As a result, it is harder for blood to flow through your lungs. Blood pressure in these lung arteries rises and as this happens, your heart’s lower right chamber has to strain to pump blood through the heart. The heart weakens and eventually fails as a result. Early intervention is key.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Straining During a Bowel Movement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most of us associate straining during a bowel movement with constipation or causing hemorrhoids <\/a>but the fact is, it can also be much more serious and also lead to passing out or having a heart attack. The feeling of dizziness in the bathroom is usually preceded by sweating and sometimes even slight shaking. Usually, this is due to the longest nerve coming from the brain – your vagus nerve – causing these feelings and triggering your body’s vasovagal response. \u2018Vaso\u2019 refers to the blood vessels while \u2018vagal\u2019 is anything involving the vagus nerve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The vasovagal response is an automatic one. It is a reflex that sends your vagus nerve into action. It has potential effects on your central and peripheral nervous system, and not forgetting your cardiovascular system. When this nerve is triggered, it sends a message to your brain that may cause a rapid drop in your blood pressure and heart rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. The Sight Of Blood<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You have to feel sorry for the husband or partner who has the tell the tale of being in the delivery room when their partner was in labor, only to miss the birth thanks to fainting at the sight of the blood and needles! Rather than being a sign of weakness, it is also an unfortunate vasovagal response that was triggered. It is uncommon, but it does happen – just ask nurses who take countless blood samples and they\u2019ll readily recall tales of patients<\/a> fainting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem with the vasovagal response is that the vagus nerve actually causes a dual action: first, it will send your blood pressure soaring, then it will drop suddenly. However, you can train yourself not to faint at seeing blood. The trick is learning to tense your muscles. Practice sitting in a chair and doing so for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. When you feel faint, invoke muscle tension as it causes your blood pressure to rise steadily enough to allow you to circumvent the passing out response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Asthma<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the most severe and chronic cases, the lung disease that is asthma can cause fainting. Asthma <\/a>is a serious problem with more than 10 Americans dying from it each day. The truly tragic part is that only one-third of asthma patients die in hospital, meaning the rest are not being adequately treated or not raising worsening symptoms with family and doctors. Asthma deaths are preventable so you should never ignore an asthma patient who complains of chest tightness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The precursor to dying from asthma is fainting or dizzy spells. Never ignore these and assume it was a one-off, bad occurrence. Almost 85 percent of those who die from asthma develop progressive symptoms ranging in duration from 12 hours to several weeks before death. Under one-fifth of people die in under 6 hours of reporting severe symptoms. Always rush such a person to the nearest trauma hospital unit and never assume that medication will open the constricted airways enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Dehydration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most people are chronically under-hydrated, meaning that despite the body coping, it is not getting nearly enough water. Approximately 60% of the body is made of water. Your body will seize on a number of levels if it is dehydrated because water is vital to the life of every cell, regulates internal body temperature by sweating and respiration, water in the bloodstream transports broken down nutrients from food that the body needs to the various organs.
Water also assists in flushing waste via urination, so there will be a toxic build-up in the body if this process fails and the kidneys <\/a>will seize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dehydration can also cause your blood pressure to drop. But exercising too much, vomiting and diarrhea are all examples of issues that could force you to lose more water than you are taking in or to be dehydrated in other words. Even a loss of as little as 1 percent to 2 percent of body weight in water can cause weakness and pass out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Fasting or Severe Hunger<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most of us want to lose weight but if you embark on calorie restrictions that are too severe this could have dire consequences such as dizzy spells and fainting. Following a low-calorie diet <\/a>does not mean starving yourself or being nutritionally irresponsible. If your low-calorie diet is too severe, your nutrient uptake will be inadequate. The blood must take nutrients to all organs in the body or they will simply not function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You also need nutrients to form healthy blood cells in the first place. Specifically, you need such as iron and vitamin B-12. If not, anemia could be the result as it is often the most common cause of hunger fainting. This also decreases severely the amount of oxygen able to go to the brain, increasing your chances of passing out. Pay attention to iron in particular, as it is a big risk and you cannot afford to be without this important micronutrient for the blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Iron Deficiency<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Closely related to the above is the specific issue of iron deficiency or anemia. There are various kinds of anemia but iron-related anemia <\/a>is the most common. Too little iron leads to an abnormally low red blood cell count. Iron is a core component of hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that enables oxygen to be transported around the body. Without these little warriors carrying oxygen tanks to where they are needed, you cannot sustain yourself and will lose consciousness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your body doesn\u2019t have enough hemoglobin, your tissues and muscles won\u2019t be oxygen-rich enough and be able to work effectively, or at all at times. This leads to a condition called anemia. Anemia can also be due to heavy blood loss, such as during menstruation. This is why some women faint if their period is too heavy. You can take an iron supplement to avoid getting anemia or eat red meat and spinach and other iron-filled foods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Diabetes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re diabetic, your body does not process sugar in the pancreas correctly. You\u2019ll either have too much sugar in your blood or too little, so high blood sugar or low blood sugar respectively. The latter is known as hypoglycemia. When the amount of blood glucose <\/a>or sugar in the blood drops to dangerously low levels, proper functioning becomes impossible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To avoid this as a diabetic, you should avoid going for long periods without food. You should also make sure to stick to your prescribed regimen so that you, in fact, get enough sugar and not none at all. Each person\u2019s body metabolizes sugar at a different rate, so there is no single guide for what will constitute low blood sugar in any one individual. Snack on diabetic-friendly foods such as whole grains, fresh foods, certain fruits, and nuts. Also, drink enough water to help metabolize the sugar you are getting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. An Erratic Metabolism<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most people think there are only 3 kinds of metabolic rates: Normal, sluggish, and fast. However, erratic metabolisms also exist. In this instance, your metabolism will sometimes be fast and sometimes slow. In the fast periods, you\u2019ll eat a normal amount of food but the body will break it down and use it very rapidly, leaving you with too little fuel to carry on. This is when dizziness can set in and make it likely that a fainting spell is eminent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To manage an erratic metabolism, firstly be aware of it. Note how you could eat a big meal on two consecutive days, but feel sated the one day and weak the next if you don\u2019t snack healthily in between. Keeping your blood sugar<\/a> levels stable is critical. Apple cider vinegar is a great natural way to do this. Also eat whole grains and fresh food as opposed to junk food, preserved food, and processed food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Chronic Anxiety<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you are always worried, it alters your brain chemicals. This interrupts how your body works normally. The adrenal glands may kick in, keeping you in a state of rapid heart beating and cortisol coursing through your veins<\/a>. You feel tired, and therefore don\u2019t exercise as you should keep your body in good condition. Brain fog sets in and normal tasks such as eating or remembering dates become hard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A lack of appetite is directly linked to anxiety. It is dangerous because you can\u2019t nourish your body with the nutrients it needs. If this carries on for too long, one day your body may give up and fail to function, leaving you feeling faint. The key to managing anxiety is getting enough exercise, such as going for a brisk walk. You should also get enough sleep if insomnia is a manifestation of your anxiety, or use a gentle melatonin supplement at night so you wake up refreshed and optimistic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Diarrhea<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In its worst form, and left untreated, diarrhea is dangerous. It is often coupled by nausea which only increases the danger to the body. Diarrhea <\/a>depletes your body of not only nutrients, buy the proper hydration. This is why it\u2019s important to drink water and eat something such as dry toast, even if it will only stay in your system for a short while. You also need to fix your electrolyte imbalance. There are many over-the-counter electrolyte supplements you can take.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diarrhea also can take your blood sugar levels down to near zero. This is why sugar water is sometimes given to patients with chronic loose stool. You need to put a stop to constantly going to the bathroom if it is severe and persists for more than 3 days. Losing a large amount of water, sugar, iron, and nutrients in a short space of time is a sure way to make the body short circuit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Coughing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This may not look like a cause of fainting but when you remember that it is related to obstructed airways, you\u2019ll readily see the link. Coughing spasms can cause breathing problems, pain, or the need to bunch up, which cumulatively, can lead you to faint. If you have a coughing spasm <\/a>and start to feel dizzy, sit down and anchor yourself so you don\u2019t injure yourself in a fall. Remember that coughing fits cause quick blood pressure variations, which is why it\u2019s actually one of the common reasons people faint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did you ever notice someone going red in their face from coughing? This isn\u2019t just due to strain, it\u2019s also due to blood pressure changes. People with ongoing coughing conditions that usually stem from another condition such as the flu or tuberculosis are therefore at risk. Speak to your doctor if you suddenly develop an ongoing cough. Not only because you don\u2019t want to pass out one day, but because it could be a symptom of another disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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15. Abnormal Heart Rhythms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Be still my bleeding heart is definitely a good thing to tell yourself for health reasons. Cardiovascular health issues can cause fainting, and they are referred to as cardiac syncope. If you feel faint, have heart palpitations, erratic heartbeats, chest pains, or your pulse suddenly changes, you should seek medical attention. Chances are, there is an underlying condition that needs intervention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the common and dangerous heart conditions that can induce fainting is an irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia). These heartbeat <\/a>alterations from arrhythmia can lead to feeling faint or lightheaded because they affect blood flow. This is why you need to seek medical intervention for any heart-related issues. In extreme cases, fainting could be a precursor to or warning signs of a heart attack. Never assume that you can micromanage or self-manage such a condition. The longer you wait, the more damage to the heart that is caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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16. Panic Attacks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Panic attacks are real and an extreme form of anxiety<\/a>. They can manifest out of the blue or be due to a traumatic event. During panic attacks, your breathing is interrupted to a dangerous degree. You may begin to hyperventilate, raising your heart rate but actually causing your blood pressure to drop. The result is that you\u2019ll likely only feel more panic, intensifying the attack, and feeling faint. If you can\u2019t get your hyperventilation and breathe back to normal, fainting can occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In all instances like these, when your blood pressure drops it\u2019s because your body has deliberately shut down to protect vital organs such as the brain. The end result is that blood may rush to your brain but nowhere else to facilitate this. It is important to understand your panic triggers and manage them well so that you don\u2019t faint. You could fall and end up with a concussion, or pass out while driving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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17. Seizures<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Seizures <\/a>are frightening on their own but, especially, so because they often go with a loss of control of limbs and fainting. Some seizures cause violent trembling and an inability to speak, while others cause fainting. The advanced problem, of course, are that seizures are the end result of something else, and you need to get to the root cause of it. Most likely, this underlying condition is also more serious than a drop in blood pressure or compacted sugar levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is also a social impact because if it strikes in an awkward situation, it could impact your confidence. So what can you do if you feel faint even while having a seizure? Firstly, sit, don\u2019t stand. If possible, elevate your legs. Make every conscious effort to slow down and control your breathing. If you have medication on you, try to take it or signal to someone to open your bag and administer it to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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18. Medication<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a reason you should always disclose any other drugs you are on to your doctor and take medication responsibly and not overdose, and also understand the side effects of every medication you take – medication can cause fainting as a side effect. Known medications that can cause fainting are those treating depression, anxiety, and high blood pressure<\/a>, thanks to their ability to lower blood pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A tell-tale sign that a medication may have this effect on you is if it also causes dizziness, vomiting, vision loss, and more. The same is true if you feel slowed down physically and cognitively, and can\u2019t perform in a coherent, oriented way. If worried, raise this with your doctor and also keep a diary of when you feel these side effects. In most cases, you can get a generic or alternative drug with a different active ingredient. Severe side effects should never simply be ignored as something that will go away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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19. Pregnancy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While you may think it\u2019s more common to faint when you find out you are pregnant, pregnancy <\/a>is an actual cause of feeling faint too. Not only are your hormones and endocrine system changing but so too is your blood pressure. During the first 24 weeks of pregnancy, it\u2019s common to have lower blood pressure. You may find that this is particularly so in the first trimester when you feel particularly tired. This is why bed rest is often advised and while there is no need to avert most exercise, it is important to get doctor clearance first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During pregnancy, you do not have to double your food intake, but it is important to remain well-nourished especially on the vitamin front. Taking certain supplements such as iron, omega 3, and folic acid is also recommended. You should also avoid situations that are overly stressful or emotionally taxing, and certainly get enough rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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20. Endocrine System Malfunction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The endocrine system is made up of glands that produce hormones that regulate almost everything in the body. It is responsible for regulating metabolism, growth, tissue function, sexual function, reproduction, sleep cycles, feelings, and more. Since the impact of this system on the body is huge, you can feel faint if it malfunctions as the impact will affect multiple organs and bodily processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Endocrine problems include the following: hormone irregularity, an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), low blood sugar, diabetes<\/a>, parathyroid disease, and adrenal insufficiency (Addison\u2019s disease). This is why it\u2019s important to keep your thyroid in good health, but also to manage any conditions such as diabetes and low blood sugar. These form part of a complex spider web of repercussions in the body and are best not dealt with as isolated problems on the whole. The endocrine system is one of the most underrated in importance in the body until it malfunctions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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21. Allergic Reaction (anaphylaxis)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Anaphylactic shock is an allergic reaction<\/a>. It can be fatal. Usually, it involves a constriction of the airways, a sudden drop in blood pressure, hives, itching and more. The fact that it can short circuit breathing is the most dangerous, and the reason it can cause fainting. In the worst cases, it can lead to prolonged unconsciousness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is always good to know what you are allergic to. When you experience the first symptoms of an allergy such as tongue numbness in reaction to shellfish, for example, do not assume it will get better or stay the same. The next time, you could actually choke on your tongue. Usually, it occurs in people who are allergic to medicines such as penicillin, to foods such as peanuts or to bee or wasp stings. When your allergy is diagnosed, be responsible. Avoid your triggers, even in small amounts. Allergy sensitivities can change radically over time – for better or for worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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22. Septic Shock<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Septic shock is often the last phase your body goes into after a medically trying or traumatic time and other than fainting, you can also, in fact, die from it. A severe infection or septic shock can occur when bacteria leave their original place on the host such as the skin or lungs, and enter the bloodstream. The bacteria then cause toxins that sabotage the vessels, leading to a life-threatening decline in blood pressure<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One example is MRSA or the drug-resistant form of staph often found in hospital environments. In this case, the staph would have moved from tissue or skin to get into the bloodstream. The same is true of bladder infections which migrate to kidney infections and beyond. A bacteria, most likely e.coli, enters the urinary tract walls where it colonizes the local space. If left untreated, it will make its way further up and eventually get into the bloodstream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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23. Nutritional Deficiencies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lack of the essential vitamins B1 to B12 as well as folic acid can cause anemia, which can be so bad that it causes low blood pressure and fainting. Vitamin <\/a>and nutrient deficiencies are estimated to exist to some extent in 75% of the American population. This is an alarming statistic, but it is not surprising given the demands of work and life. This often means people give up on physical activities and give up cooking wholesome meals made with fresh ingredients from scratch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To get your proper vitamin intake, it is best to eat fresh vegetables, fruits, unrefined carbs and to cut out processed, junk and preserved food. If you don\u2019t nourish your body with what it needs, you cannot expect it to continue properly. It is the same as expecting a car with no gas to keep on running smoothly. But in the instances that natural is not possible, you can top up with supplements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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24. Neurally Mediated Hypotension<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This disorder, as the name suggests, originates in the brain and is fairly rare. It causes your blood pressure to drop after standing for lengthy amounts of time, leaving you feeling dizzy, nauseous and faint. It is mainly a disease of the young even though one would expect the opposite, and is caused by the brain <\/a>and the heart miscommunicating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like many other neural issues, there is some signal short circuit at play. Usually, there are also associated conditions that go with this, also neurological in nature, as in a sense this tends to be a cluster disease. Migraines are one such associated symptom even though it is not always obvious. If you suffer from this, be sure to rest in between standing. Always have a chair nearby so you can sit if you feel suddenly weak. If you\u2019re prone to the condition, it\u2019s best to tell someone so they can break your fall if there is an incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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25. A Loss of Blood Volume<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It goes without saying that suddenly losing too much blood can cause you to feel cold and your blood pressure to drop. You feel cold because your endocrine <\/a>system is affected, leaving your internal signals and normal bodily regulation in a mess. Often, when you lose blood a lot and quickly, it is due to trauma such as a car injury, open wound or even surgery went wrong. This is why prior to being admitted to surgery you have to disclose any medication you have been using.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some drugs mean you are prone to blood clots while being operated on, while others may have thinned your blood, making it easier to bleed out. Always disclose everything completely as it could mean the difference between life and death. This is why it is also a good idea to have your medical history electronically stored somewhere for easy retrieval at an accident scene. Some hospitals offer this service. You\u2019ll then get a card you can put in your card or wallet indicating where your information can be found by a legitimate medical practitioner, especially in the event you are unable to speak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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