Emergencies >>>> Fainting

Fainting.

Fainting (commonly referred to as syncope) is a short-term loss of consciousness. It occurs as a result of sudden failure of the vascular system of the brain. A sharp vasoconstriction blocks blood flow and causes a lack of oxygen in the brain. In an unconscious state, a person lies motionless, does not respond to speech and other external stimuli, but the part of the brain that is responsible for the processes of respiration and blood circulation continues to function.

Fainting is always preceded by a light-headed state. Its signs: darkening in the eyes, circles before the eyes, pounding in the temples, dizziness, nausea, heart palpitations, ringing in the ears, impaired coordination of movements, a feeling of general weakness, cold sweat (hot flashes), numbness of the limbs. The skin begins to turn pale, blood pressure decreases, the pulse weakens, the eyes close, the muscle tone disappears and the person falls. Often, in an unconscious state, a person may experience twitching of the limbs, involuntary urination.

Signs of fainting: the person is unconscious; pulse is weak and rare; breathing is shallow and rare.

Procedure (pre-medical):

It is advisable to prevent a person from falling, as this can aggravate his condition with additional injuries (sit down, lay down or just hold in his hands)
It is necessary to give the victim's body a horizontal position, laying on his back (legs slightly above the head, do not put anything under the head) to ensure blood flow to the brain
Put the head tilted slightly to one side to prevent aspiration of saliva or other masses, possibly in the oral cavity
If it is not possible to lay down, then sit down so that the victim's head is below the knees (lower between the knees)
Free the neck and chest from the constricting parts of clothing (tie, scarf, collar, corset, belt or undo tight fasteners)
Open a window in the room for fresh air
Sprinkle the face and chest with cool water, pat the victim lightly on the cheek (do not put a cool towel on the head, as it will provoke a narrowing of the vessels of the head, and we need the opposite action)
Bring a cotton swab moistened with ammonia to your nose
After the restoration of consciousness, hot tea is shown, and with reduced pressure, something sweet

As a rule, being in a horizontal position, a person wakes up after a few seconds (minutes), but if the fainting lasts more than 2-3 minutes, this is already a critical state of the body and requires urgent medical intervention.

Causes.

After the person has come to his senses, it is necessary to deal with the causes of fainting.

Fainting may occur:<>/p

with diabetes
sunstroke
heatstroke
with dehydration
with migraine
with Parkinson's disease
in case of injury
with concussion
with arterial hypotension (low pressure)
with an attack of anxiety, fear as a result of deep and rapid breathing (hyperventilation)
with pain, fear, emotional stress, the sight of blood, stuffiness, prolonged standing (neurogenic - vasodepressor)
when standing up suddenly, taking certain medications
in patients with arterial hypertension or atherosclerosis when wearing tight collars, scarves, ties (neurogenic - with sensitivity of the carotid sinus)
in patients with increased intrathoracic pressure (occurs when coughing, when urinating at night in older men, during bowel movements) (neurogenic)
with myocardial infarction, blockade of conduction, with heart rhythm disturbances - arrhythmias , with bradycardia (cardiogenic)