Causes of Faint, Fainting, Pass Out, Passing Out, Feeling Faint, Syncope Symptoms

Fainting or feeling faint is caused by not enough oxygen getting to your brain. Passing out for a very brief period, coupled with a quick recovery, is medically termed syncope.

And having a syncope moment will suddenly happen at some point in the lives of about a third of the population.  Fainting or passing out can even happen to those in good health.

An isolated “pass out” event is typically nothing to worry about.  It’s those repetitive fainting episodes that require further health investigation.

Before you fainted, you probably experienced some of these symptoms:

Then when you actually faint, you lose control of your muscles.  Thus, falling is a likely scenario.

Reduced brain oxygen causing syncope is due to a sudden drop in blood flow to your brain. This may be caused by:

Numerous causes can be behind your feeling faint or fainting symptoms.  Some harmless or expected pass out triggers include:

In some cases, especially for the elderly, heart rate and blood vessels don’t react fast enough for their brain’s need of oxygen.

Some health conditions that can cause or contribute to a pass out:

Cardiovascular caused syncope are the most serious types of fainting disorders.   If you should suffer from any of these forgoing conditions, then all of your fainting episodes call for a visit with your health care specialist.

Your taking certain medications can be a cause for passing out or feeling faint symptoms.   Making a fainting contribution are common drugs used to treat:

Alcohol, cocaine and marijuana use can be pass out causers as well.

When you feel like you are going to faint, then lie down and elevate your legs.  In the alternative, sit down and put your head between your knees until the faint feeling passes.

A couple of feeling faint or pass out prevention measures are:

  • increase salt intake
  • elevate your head in bed
  • move legs & feet prior to standing
  • avoid alcohol & large carbohydrate meals
  • consume caffeine or lie down after heavy meals
  • avoid your triggers ~ smells, tight collars, rapid neck movements

Fainting is often not a major cause for concern.  However, if you’re a multiple fainter, then a trip to your health care provider is a health promoting formality.

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