Difference between revisions of "Cure Feeling Like You're About to Faint"
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
===Preventing a Fainting Episode=== | ===Preventing a Fainting Episode=== | ||
| − | #If you can, lay down. When you feel like you’re about to faint, it’s because there’s not enough blood getting to your brain. Even just a few seconds of this can bring on a fainting spell.<ref>http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/Harvard_Heart_Letter/2009/August/When-the-lights-suddenly-go-out</ref> Combat gravity’s effect on your body by laying down and getting your blood ''not'' pooling in your core or legs, sending it back to your heart and brain. | + | #If you can, lay down. When you feel like you’re about to faint, it’s because there’s not enough blood getting to your brain. Even just a few seconds of this can bring on a fainting spell.<ref name="rf1">http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/Harvard_Heart_Letter/2009/August/When-the-lights-suddenly-go-out</ref> Combat gravity’s effect on your body by laying down and getting your blood ''not'' pooling in your core or legs, sending it back to your heart and brain. |
#*It’s best to do this on the ground, if possible. That way, if you do faint, you don’t run the risk of rolling off the surface you’re on and hurting yourself. | #*It’s best to do this on the ground, if possible. That way, if you do faint, you don’t run the risk of rolling off the surface you’re on and hurting yourself. | ||
#If you can’t lay down, sit down with your knees up, and put your head between your legs. If you’re in a situation where you’re not in an open area or you’re in public and can’t lay down, sitting with your head between your knees may be the best thing you can do to get rid of that nasty faint-y feeling. You may wish to stay in this position until the dizziness goes away. | #If you can’t lay down, sit down with your knees up, and put your head between your legs. If you’re in a situation where you’re not in an open area or you’re in public and can’t lay down, sitting with your head between your knees may be the best thing you can do to get rid of that nasty faint-y feeling. You may wish to stay in this position until the dizziness goes away. | ||
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===Preventing Recurring Fainting Episodes=== | ===Preventing Recurring Fainting Episodes=== | ||
#Eat regularly. Thinking of skipping breakfast? Don’t do it. Your body needs the salt and sugar to keep you standing up. In fact, if you keep your blood pressure and glucose levels stable, barring any other outlying physical condition, normal syncope (fainting) is completely avoidable. To keep your body firing as normal, eating (and drinking) regularly may be all you have to do. | #Eat regularly. Thinking of skipping breakfast? Don’t do it. Your body needs the salt and sugar to keep you standing up. In fact, if you keep your blood pressure and glucose levels stable, barring any other outlying physical condition, normal syncope (fainting) is completely avoidable. To keep your body firing as normal, eating (and drinking) regularly may be all you have to do. | ||
| − | #*That being said, some people do suffer from postprandial hypotension, which can lead to fainting. That’s a fancy word for your blood pressure dropping after you eat too much. Your blood starts congregating in and around your stomach, leaving none for your heart and brain – and voila, the perfect recipe for a fainting spell. If this sounds familiar, eat regularly, but don’t eat too much at one time.<ref | + | #*That being said, some people do suffer from postprandial hypotension, which can lead to fainting. That’s a fancy word for your blood pressure dropping after you eat too much. Your blood starts congregating in and around your stomach, leaving none for your heart and brain – and voila, the perfect recipe for a fainting spell. If this sounds familiar, eat regularly, but don’t eat too much at one time.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#Avoid excess fatigue. Another reason some people experience fainting spells is because they’re overly fatigued. It could be because you’re not sleeping enough or you exercise too much – both states can mess with your blood pressure and get your body off-kilter. | #Avoid excess fatigue. Another reason some people experience fainting spells is because they’re overly fatigued. It could be because you’re not sleeping enough or you exercise too much – both states can mess with your blood pressure and get your body off-kilter. | ||
#*If you’re exercising too much, you may not be getting enough liquids either (you’re sweating them all out). Make ''doubly'' sure that you drink plenty if this describes you. Between dehydrating and overexertion, you could be asking for trouble. | #*If you’re exercising too much, you may not be getting enough liquids either (you’re sweating them all out). Make ''doubly'' sure that you drink plenty if this describes you. Between dehydrating and overexertion, you could be asking for trouble. | ||
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#Stay in comfortable, cool environments. Heat is another culprit when it comes to fainting. It can dehydrate your body, shut down your systems, and spell disaster for vertical consciousness. If you’re in a stuffy, overheated, or crowded room, you may just have to leave. The fresh air will awaken your senses, your blood pressure will rise, and you’ll be back to normal before you know it. | #Stay in comfortable, cool environments. Heat is another culprit when it comes to fainting. It can dehydrate your body, shut down your systems, and spell disaster for vertical consciousness. If you’re in a stuffy, overheated, or crowded room, you may just have to leave. The fresh air will awaken your senses, your blood pressure will rise, and you’ll be back to normal before you know it. | ||
#*Crowds don't generally help. If you know you're going to be in a crowded, stuffy area, prepare by eating a good breakfast, wearing light clothing, bringing a snack, and always knowing where the nearest exit is should you need it. | #*Crowds don't generally help. If you know you're going to be in a crowded, stuffy area, prepare by eating a good breakfast, wearing light clothing, bringing a snack, and always knowing where the nearest exit is should you need it. | ||
| − | #Avoid alcohol. In addition to caffeinated beverages, alcohol should also make the “avoid” list if you’re worried about fainting. It, too, is dehydrating, can lower your blood pressure, and send you to the ground.<ref>http://www.webmd.com/brain/understanding-fainting-prevention</ref> | + | #Avoid alcohol. In addition to caffeinated beverages, alcohol should also make the “avoid” list if you’re worried about fainting. It, too, is dehydrating, can lower your blood pressure, and send you to the ground.<ref name="rf2">http://www.webmd.com/brain/understanding-fainting-prevention</ref> |
#*If you do drink alcohol, stick to one drink a day. And if you haven’t eaten or drunk much that day, be sure to combine that drink with some food and other non-alcoholic beverage. | #*If you do drink alcohol, stick to one drink a day. And if you haven’t eaten or drunk much that day, be sure to combine that drink with some food and other non-alcoholic beverage. | ||
| − | #Train your muscles. Sometimes tensing your muscles can stave off a faint. Cross your legs and tense the muscles, squatting if possible. You could also contract the muscles in your arms by clasping your hands together and trying to force them apart. These little movements are all about boosting blood pressure. Even if it doesn’t get rid of the faint, it could give you enough time to get a safe place to lie down.<ref>http://www.anxietybc.com/self-help/applied-tension-technique-people-who-faint-sight-blood-or-needles</ref> | + | #Train your muscles. Sometimes tensing your muscles can stave off a faint. Cross your legs and tense the muscles, squatting if possible. You could also contract the muscles in your arms by clasping your hands together and trying to force them apart. These little movements are all about boosting blood pressure. Even if it doesn’t get rid of the faint, it could give you enough time to get a safe place to lie down.<ref name="rf3">http://www.anxietybc.com/self-help/applied-tension-technique-people-who-faint-sight-blood-or-needles</ref> |
| − | #*There’s also a thing called “tilt training,” which involves training your muscles over the course of weeks to combat the urge. You simply stand with your back and head against a wall with your heels about 6 inches (15 cm) out from it. Do this for about 5 minutes every other day. Slowly increase the time up to 20-minute sessions. It sounds simple, but this stance can help with the uncrossing of the wires in your brain (the vagus nerve) that lead to fainting.<ref | + | #*There’s also a thing called “tilt training,” which involves training your muscles over the course of weeks to combat the urge. You simply stand with your back and head against a wall with your heels about 6 inches (15 cm) out from it. Do this for about 5 minutes every other day. Slowly increase the time up to 20-minute sessions. It sounds simple, but this stance can help with the uncrossing of the wires in your brain (the vagus nerve) that lead to fainting.<ref name="rf1" /> |
===Caring for Yourself after a Fainting Episode=== | ===Caring for Yourself after a Fainting Episode=== | ||
#Move slowly. Some people experience extreme dizziness upon first getting up in the morning – in part because they get up too quickly. This can happen at any time of day, though it’s most notable when getting out of bed or arising after a long period of time. Whenever you move, be sure to move slowly to give your heart and brain time to adjust for a change in blood flow. | #Move slowly. Some people experience extreme dizziness upon first getting up in the morning – in part because they get up too quickly. This can happen at any time of day, though it’s most notable when getting out of bed or arising after a long period of time. Whenever you move, be sure to move slowly to give your heart and brain time to adjust for a change in blood flow. | ||
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#*It’s a good idea to keep a snack with you handy if you’re worried about fainting again. What’s more, you could be able to come to the rescue of someone else who’s going through the same thing. | #*It’s a good idea to keep a snack with you handy if you’re worried about fainting again. What’s more, you could be able to come to the rescue of someone else who’s going through the same thing. | ||
#Talk to your doctor. If you know the cause of your fainting – it was overly hot, you hadn’t eaten, etc. – it’s probably safe to assume this was just an ordinary fainting episode and something that shouldn’t be alarming. However, if you’re not really sure where it came from, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor. He or she may be able to pinpoint the issue for you and help you avoid health complications in the future. | #Talk to your doctor. If you know the cause of your fainting – it was overly hot, you hadn’t eaten, etc. – it’s probably safe to assume this was just an ordinary fainting episode and something that shouldn’t be alarming. However, if you’re not really sure where it came from, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor. He or she may be able to pinpoint the issue for you and help you avoid health complications in the future. | ||
| − | #*Review your medications with him or her, too. Some medicines are known to cause symptoms of dizziness, fatigue, dehydration, and fainting.<ref>http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Fainting/Pages/Treatment.aspx</ref> If this is the case, your doctor should be able to provide you with a suitable alternative. | + | #*Review your medications with him or her, too. Some medicines are known to cause symptoms of dizziness, fatigue, dehydration, and fainting.<ref name="rf4">http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Fainting/Pages/Treatment.aspx</ref> If this is the case, your doctor should be able to provide you with a suitable alternative. |
== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
