Health & Fitness

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Q) My spouse fainted today. What might have caused this?
 
A) People faint for a variety of reasons so it is important to contact your physician to help determine the reason. 

Rarely, it may be as a result of a heart disorder so your doctor may order an electrocardiogram (tests the electric signals of your heart), an echocardiogram (images the heart to look for structural abnormalities) and/or a stress test (studies the heart's rhythms during exercise). 

Your doctor may also order blood tests to rule out conditions such as anemia that can cause or contribute to fainting. If these tests prove negative, then the cause is most likely vasovagal syncope, which is the most common reason people faint.

Vasovagal syncope occurs when your nervous system, which regulates your heart rate and blood pressure, malfunctions in response to a trigger. This results in your heart rate slowing and the blood vessels in your legs widening which allows blood to pool in your legs and your blood pressure to lower. This then results in a lower blood flow to the brain causing the person to faint.  

Common triggers of this phenomenon include: heat exposure, prolonged standing, fear, exertion and, of course, the sight of blood. 

Some people will experience warning signs that they are about to faint such as pale skin, dizziness, nausea, a feeling of warmth or a cold, clammy sweat which might give them time to lie down and lift their legs or sit down and put their head between their legs to increase the flow of blood to their brain.

In most cases of vasovagal syncope, treatment is unnecessary, but doctors may recommend some people try foot exercises, wear compression socks, drink adequate fluids, avoid prolonged standing or in rare cases, prescribe medications to prevent this from reoccurring.

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Sunday, May 23, 2010