HEALTH

Symptoms that foretell fainting

When the intensity of blood directed to the brain decreases, a loss of consciousness and thus fainting may occur.

Fainting, mechanically, is manifested by a sudden loss of muscle tone, which causes a fall towards the ground, with loss of facial colouring. Before fainting, one may experience weakness, nausea and problems with vision and hearing. Usually the loss of consciousness lasts about two minutes.

The causes of fainting can be as varied as the symptoms preceding it. (Source: Humanitas Hospital Milan)

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What is fainting
When the intensity of blood directed to the brain decreases, a loss of consciousness and thus fainting may occur. Fainting, mechanically, is manifested by a sudden loss of muscle tone, which causes a fall towards the ground, with loss of facial colouring. Generally, the loss of consciousness lasts about two minutes. The causes of fainting can be as varied as the symptoms preceding it. (Source: Humanitas Hospital Milan)
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Causes of fainting
The causes of fainting can be very varied. They range from episodes caused by stressful situations to those caused by fear, but also fainting as a result of strong emotions, severe pain, taking drugs or alcohol, low blood pressure, hypoglycaemia or convulsions. Fainting can also often be caused by standing up too quickly.
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Conditions that can cause fainting
Other causes of fainting may include certain diseases such as diabetes, stroke, myocardial infarction, headache, cervical arthrosis or even ventricular hypertrophy and pulmonary embolism.
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Symptoms preceding fainting
Fainting is very unlikely to be sudden and without symptoms. In most cases, in the moment immediately before fainting, the person may experience dizziness, light-headedness, blurred vision, nausea, tingling in the lips or fingertips, palpitations or chest pain. (Source: msdmanuals.com)
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Always recommended to consult a physician
In the event of a fainting spell that is not caused by a particular situation (such as fear, for example), it is always a good idea to consult your doctor to find out whether or not any further investigation is necessary. It is especially important to consult your doctor if you faint after a fall, if you are over 50 years old, if the fainting is associated with diabetes or pregnancy, but also if the phenomenon is linked to convulsions, irregular heartbeat, persistent chest pains.
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