When should I see a doctor about a faint?
Fainting is when you pass out for a short time. It is not usually a sign of something serious, but if it happens regularly you should see a GP.
Causes of fainting
There are many reasons why someone might faint. Causes include:
- Standing up too quickly – this could be a sign of low blood pressure
- Not eating or drinking enough
- Being too hot, or being very upset, angry or in severe pain
- Taking recreational drugs or drinking too much alcohol
- Medical diseases including:
- Heart problems
- Low blood pressure (often a side-effect of medication).
Symptoms of fainting
Fainting usually happens suddenly. Symptoms can include:
- Dizziness
- Cold skin and sweating
- Slurred speech
- Feeling sick
- Changes to vision.
Treatment if fainting
1. Make the person safe
- Lay the person flat on their back
- Elevate the person’s legs to restore blood flow to the brain
- Loosen tight clothing
2. Try to revive the person
- Shake the person vigorously, tap briskly, or yell
- If the person does not respond, call 999 immediately and start CPR if necessary
- If a defibrillator is available, bring it by the person and use it if you have been trained on its use
3.Turn the person on their side if they:
- Are vomiting or bleeding from the mouth
4. Do first aid after simple fainting
- If the person is alert, give a sugary drink, especially if they have not eaten in more than 6 hours or has diabetes.
- Stay with the person until they are fully recovered.
5. So. When should I see a doctor about a faint?
If the person:
- Has hit their head when fainting
- Faints more than once in a month
- Is pregnant or has a heart condition or other serious illness
- Experiences unusual symptoms, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, confusion, blurred vision, or difficulty talking.
Call 999 if the person:
- Has blue lips or face
- An irregular or slow heartbeat
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Is difficult to awaken
- Acts confused.
Summary
We have described when should I see a doctor about a faint? We hope you understand them better now.
