Avoid passing out

Author: Frank Hunt
Date Of Creation: 14 March 2021
Update Date: 1 July 2024
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How can I prevent a syncopal episode?
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You know the feeling: dizziness, light-headedness, tunnel vision and clammy hands. All in all, a clear indication that you are about to pass out. Have you ever wondered if you could avoid passing out? In general, this is certainly possible. Whether you want to avoid passing out or help someone else, a few simple actions can make a world of difference.

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Part 1 of 3: Prevent passing out yourself

  1. Stabilize your blood sugar and salt levels. Simply put, the brain has sugar and the body needs water. To keep your body and brain from quitting, your salt and sugar levels need to be stable. A quick way to do this is to drink some juice and eat a few pretzels. You will probably feel a lot better right away.
    • It seems a bit paradoxical that the body needs salt for a good moisture balance, but it is true. Water goes where it is salt; If you don't have salt in your system, the fluid won't stay in your blood vessels.
  2. Keep yourself cool. Another common cause of fainting is that your body is overheated. If you are in a warm, poorly ventilated room and you start to feel dizzy, your body wants to indicate that you need to move. To get it a bit cooler, consider the following:
    • Take off some layers of clothes
    • Find a quieter environment (so that you don't fall on someone else)
    • Sit / stand near an open window or door for fresh air
    • Splash cool water on your face and drink something cold
  3. Drinking water. Although sugary drinks work great to recharge your brain, your entire body needs a healthy water balance, in the form of plain water without a taste. You probably know if you drink enough of that. If you pass out frequently, it may be because you are not drinking enough.
    • Urine should ideally be clear or nearly clear. If it is very yellow, drink more water. If that is too boring for your taste buds, drink tea or pure, unsweetened fruit juice.
  4. Lie down and don't get up too quickly. If you feel even slightly faint, lie down. Lie down for at least 15 minutes. When you feel better, get up gently. If your body is in a vertical position, your blood will have to overcome gravity to get to the brain. If you get up too quickly, the blood will drop immediately and your brain will be amazed at what is going on. This can make you feel like you are going to pass out. If that is the culprit, move slowly, especially when you get out of bed.
    • This is especially true if you have just passed out. Move slowly and gently whenever you feel faint or dizzy. Your body tells you that the pace is too fast and cannot keep up. Give it a chance to recover and lie down quietly.
  5. Check your breathing. When we are anxious, it is natural that we will breathe faster and even hyperventilate. When this gets out of hand, your brain isn't getting enough oxygen; you are not breathing deeply enough to process what it needs. If you think you might pass out because of nervousness, focus on your breathing to keep it from actually happening.
    • Count your breaths: inhale for 6 seconds and exhale for 8 seconds. After a few rounds you will notice that you are less anxious.
    • Focusing on your breathing will also distract you from what's making you nervous. This is another reason it can become easier to calm down.
  6. Avoid the causes. Low blood sugar and salt levels, overheating and dehydration are common causes of fainting and in most cases are not cause for alarm. But there are certain other things that can cause a person to pass out. If you know what often triggers you personally, try to avoid it. It could be because of several things, but here are the most common:
    • Alcohol. In some unfortunate people, alcohol consumption leads to fainting. This is because alcohol expands blood vessels, which leads to a drop in blood pressure.
    • Needles. Some people pass out when they see a particular object that causes the vagus nerve to dilate blood vessels, slow the heart and lower blood pressure, resulting in fainting.
    • Emotions. Strong emotions such as fear can affect breathing and cause blood pressure to drop, among other negative effects that can cause you to pass out.
  7. Consider other medications. Side effects of some medications can cause dizziness and fainting. If you are just starting to take new medications and notice that you have a tendency to pass out, talk to your doctor about other medications. It could be that the medication is the culprit.
    • Fainting generally isn't something to worry about. But you can be injured by fainting. This is the main reason for switching to other medications, if possible.

Part 2 of 3: Preventing someone else's fainting

  1. Make them sit or lie down. Basically, the brain needs blood and oxygen to function properly. If you see someone who has turned pale and complains of dizziness and fatigue, make sure they lie down in an open area - they are likely to pass out.
    • If there is no place to lie down, have the person sit with their head between their knees. This isn't as good as lying down, but it should ward off the tendency to faint, at least for now.
  2. Make sure they get plenty of fresh air. It is not uncommon for someone to pass out in a crowd, especially since it is so hot and stuffy. If you are with someone who is about to pass out, get them out to an open area with plenty of oxygen, a little cooler and less stuffy.
    • If you're inside without many other options, get the person close to an open window or door. Just a little more air can make a huge difference, even if the room is still too hot.
  3. Give the person some juice and crackers. The brain springs up as soon as it is given some salt and sugar. Moisture and energy are very likely to be the problem, so a slightly sweetened drink and a little salt are best to get the brain going again. Help the person drink and eat if necessary; they may lack the energy.
    • The salt is precisely intended for hydration. When there is salt in the body, the body sends water to it. Without salt, water will not be able to get into those cells where it belongs.
  4. Help the person to stay calm. Someone who faints for the first time is likely to get a little anxious about that. Perhaps the field of vision is blurred, or the hearing is less effective and someone is unable to stand. This stage can take several minutes before someone actually faints or before the urge goes away. Let him / her know that he / she is going to pass out, but that everything will be over and okay soon.
    • Assure the person that fainting is not dangerous. As long as he doesn't hit his head (something you will take care of), everything will be over in a few minutes.
  5. Always stay with the person and have someone else get help. If the person is about to pass out, stay close to catch them if they fall over. Do not leave someone alone for help, unless there is absolutely no other option. He / she also needs you for moral support.
    • Even if it is a stranger some distance away, ask someone to get help. Explain that the person you are with has passed out. Then the other person can look for a manager or staff and ask for some water and food. In addition, you can contact who also needs to be informed (parents, doctor, etc.).

Part 3 of 3: If you feel like you are going to pass out

  1. Tense the muscles in your arms and legs. Fainting is usually caused by a lack of blood flow to the brain. Tightening the muscles in your limbs increases blood pressure, which can help you fight off an attack. This can be done before the attack occurs and generally just to make sure you don't have low blood pressure.
    • Sit in a squat position (and balance against a wall, just in case) and tense your legs repeatedly.
    • Put your hands together in front of you and repeatedly tighten your arm muscles.
    • Try this a few times - if it doesn't seem to work, lie down.
  2. Consider tilt training if necessary. People who regularly pass out from medication sometimes find that they can train themselves to fight the urge. A common method is “tilt training,” where you lean against a wall, with your heels about 6 inches apart. You hold this position for about 5 minutes without moving. For some reason, it helps prevent the “short circuit in your brain,” which can prevent fainting.
    • Practice this for longer periods of time, until you can hold on for about 20 minutes at a time without feeling limp. This is one thing you should practice on to avoid passing out - it's not supposed to be used at the supreme moment.
  3. Eat something salty, such as crackers. If you have the energy for it, grab some salt to eat. If necessary, ask someone in the area and first let them know that you have a weak feeling. If fainting is fairly normal for you, have a snack with you at all times, just in case.
    • A little juice or water won't hurt either. Your body needs fluids, salty snacks and juice or water are best for this.
  4. If the tendency to pass out doesn't go away, make sure there's nothing around that could hurt you. You will probably be warned by your body about a minute or so (depending on the faintness) in advance that you are going to faint. During this time, try to go somewhere where you have enough space and can lie down.
    • Whatever you do, keep away from stairs. If you then pass out, the consequences can be very serious. The same goes for tables and desks with sharp corners.
  5. Ask someone for help. If you are at school or in public, tell the person closest that you are going to pass out and need help. Then lie down. At best, someone will bring you something to eat and drink and help you deal with the situation when you come back to.
    • This can be a serious matter in certain locations, as a paying customer passing out could be an indication that the establishment is doing something wrong (too little ventilation, letting too many people in at the same time, etc.). You can be assured that if there are people around you, someone will come to your rescue.
  6. Whatever happens, lie down. Even if you skip all the steps above, at least lie down and you'll be fine. If you do this on time, you will not be injured. If you wait too long, you will eventually fall over automatically, whereby not only yourself, but also others can hurt themselves. Laying down is rule number 1.
    • What was the most important rule? Exactly: Lie down. It will save you from potential injuries, and your behavior will likely warn those around you that something is wrong. In addition, when you lie down you will feel a lot more at ease.

Tips

  • Fainting is often caused by a temporary lack of blood supply to the brain.
  • You should seek medical attention if you have repeated fainting or tendency to faint.
  • Fainting is usually caused by standing up too quickly, dehydration, medications, or extreme emotions.
  • Sucking on a sugar cube increases the amount of glucose in a person's body. Consider doing any kind of event where you expect to pass out.
  • You may still feel dizzy even after trying some of the foregoing tips. In that case, lay on the floor for a few minutes, with your legs in the air. Another good way is to kneel, cross your legs, and put your head between your legs.
  • It's good to get some color back in your face. Try to do it naturally.

Warnings

  • If you have other symptoms - headache, chest pain, back pain, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, weakness, or body functions that fail, seek immediate medical attention.
  • If you are behind the wheel and notice that you are about to pass out, put the car aside in a safe place.
  • It is common for people who pass out in the bathroom late at night to suffer serious injuries. Possible causes are low blood pressure and, in men, the blockage of the vagus nerve when urinating. Make sure there is a night light in the bathroom, always get out of bed and sit down as if on the toilet.