Jessica, a vivacious 12-year old soccer player, loves the fresh air, the warm sun and the feel of soft grass under her feet as she kicks the ball around. Held hostage in her Midwest home all winter, this young athlete has vowed to spend her summer outdoors. Inspired by the success of the Women’s World Cup team, Jessica spends hours a day practicing, and because she gets into such a zone, she infrequently has time to hydrate adequately before heading outside to exercise. One day, after a long soccer session, a spell of dizziness came over her. Knowing she wasn’t feeling well, Jessica began to walk to the bench to catch her bearings. First, her vision began to narrow, and then she felt her hearing go muffled. She woke up on the ground wondering what happened.
What Is a Fainting Spell?
As scary as it may be, fainting — also known as syncope — is actually very common. It occurs in about one-third of the general population, and there are a number of different things that can cause someone to pass out. Syncope is defined as the transient loss of consciousness and muscle control due to low blood flow to the brain. To put it more simply, fainting can occur when one’s blood pressure or heart rate drops suddenly. Syncope is not considered a disease itself, but is rather a sign or a symptom that can potentially signify an underlying condition. Although it’s rare, fainting can be a precursor of a life-threatening illness, like a heart disorder, which is why patients who suffer from this problem should be evaluated promptly by a physician.
When Passing Out Isn’t a Problem
The most common cause of fainting is due to what physicians term vasovagal syncope. Vasovagal syncope is the result of changes in vessel tone and blood pressure as mediated by the brain and it can occur when your body overreacts to certain triggers such as prolonged standing, dehydration (like Jessica experienced), the site of blood, emotional trauma, stress, having blood drawn, fear of bodily injury, straining — like having a bowel movement — and even hair combing. These swooning signs provide comfort to physicians because often, they suggest the cause of fainting is benign and nothing to worry about. When vasovagal syncope is occurring, patients like Jessica will experience warnings signals that include dizziness, headache, nausea, sweating, paleness, feeling warm or hot, and vision and/or auditory changes. Although vasovagal syncope is typically harmless and requires no treatment, a physician may instruct a patient to increase his or her fluid and salt intake, and sit or lie flat if these symptoms occur.
When Should I Worry?
Fainting, when associated with exercise or exertion, should not be taken lightly. Typically in a benign fainting spell, a patient will have some recall just prior to passing out. But when a patient has no memory of the event whatsoever, it can suggest than an arrhythmia was the culprit. A thorough evaluation of fainting should include an electrocardiogram test, as well as a detailed examination of the patient’s family members, since family history can help provide deeper clues as to whether or not passing out is benign or a bigger problem. Physicians will often ask if anyone in the family experiences or has experienced passing out spells, seizures, sudden unexplained death (like drowning), single car accidents or heart attacks at a young age. All these seemingly weird questions can suggest a life-threatening arrhythmia may run in the family.
Summertime Syncope Safety
During the summer, temperatures are hot, outdoor activities are abundant and fainting can occur more frequently due to overheating and dehydration. It’s important to stay vigilant and be prepared in case this happens to someone you know. Although benign fainting spells are brief and sufferers come back to their own within 10 to 15 seconds, they can still injure themselves during the event. Luckily, in Jessica’s case, a neighbor witnessed her passing out, moved her into a shady place, gave her a glass of water and made sure she wasn’t hurt. If you see someone faint, don’t just stand there! Check to see if they’re conscious, and if they’re not, call 911 immediately and start administering CPR. Despite the fact that fainting is fairly common and most instances are benign, being attentive and aware of this topic — especially during the sizzling summer months — can potentially help save a life.
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Fainting Spells: Why You Need to Know the Facts originally appeared on usnews.com
