FAINTNESS (Fainting)

October 10, 2011 in Health Library, Symptoms

Fainting is a brief loss of consciousness due to a drop in blood flow to the brain. The episode lasts less than a couple of minutes and you recover from it quickly and completely. You may feel light-headed or dizzy before fainting.

Symptoms: Possible Problems: What To Do:
Fainting. No underlying disorder. See Fainting.
Symptoms: Possible Problems: What To Do:
Faintness when standing Temporary drop in blood Avoid rising suddenly.
suddenly. pressure.
OR
Faintness following bed
confinement.
Symptoms: Possible Problems: What To Do:
Faintness. Effect of stress. No See Panic Disorder.
Breathing deeply, rapidly or underlying disorder. See Anxiety.
sighing before faintness. Consult doctor if
happens repeatedly.
Symptoms: Possible Problems: What To Do:
Faintness. Adverse reaction or side Consult doctor.
Use of drug for high blood effect of drug.
pressure.
Symptoms: Possible Problems: What To Do:
Faintness. Several disorders. See Dizziness (in
Dizziness. Symptoms section).
Symptoms: Possible Problems: What To Do:
Faintness or fainting. Heart-rhythm disorder. Call doctor now.
Feeling that heart speeds or See Heart Block.
slows before faintness. See Heart-Rhythm
Known heart disease. Irregularity.
See Atrial Fibrillation.
See Cardiac Arrest.
Symptoms: Possible Problems: What To Do:
Faintness, plus any of following: Decreased blood supply Call doctor now.
Blurred vision. to brain. See Transient Ischemic
Speaking difficulty. Attack.
Confusion. See Stroke.
Numbness or tingling in any
part of body.
Weakness or paralysis in
extremities.
Symptoms: Possible Problems: What To Do:
Fainting. Minor seizure. See Seizure Disorder.
Seizure disorder.
Symptoms: Possible Problems: What To Do:
Faintness after several hours in Excess heat exposure. Call doctor now.
strong sunshine or hot See Heatstroke or Heat
environment. Exhaustion.
Symptoms: Possible Problems: What To Do:
Faintness. Low blood sugar. Drink sweetened juice or
Diabetes. beverage or eat something
sugary or starchy.
See Diabetic
Hypoglycemia.
Symptoms: Possible Problems: What To Do:
Faintness. Heart disease. See Congestive Heart
Fatigue. Disorder of red blood Failure.
Shortness of breath. cells. See Anemia, Pernicious.
Person older than 50.
Symptoms: Possible Problems: What To Do:
Faintness when turning head (in Pressure on nerves in neck. See Cervical Spondylosis.
person older than 50).
Symptoms: Possible Problems: What To Do:
Fainting. Temporary change in blood Consult doctor if happens
Shortness of breath before chemistry. repeatedly.
faintness.
Recent strenuous exercise.
Symptoms: Possible Problems: What To Do:
Fainting and weakness. Intestinal disorder. See Dumping Syndrome.
Sweating; irregular heartbeat.
Recent stomach surgery.
Diarrhea.
Symptoms: Possible Problems: What To Do:
Faintness. Toxic gas inhalation. See Carbon Monoxide
Headache; dizziness; nausea Poisoning.
and vomiting.

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