Fainting

Fainting, which medical professionals call syncope is a temporary loss of consciousness. Unlike a seizure, the person who faints usually regains alertness soon after regaining consciousness. Fainting is caused by a temporary loss of the brain´s blood supply.

Fainting can sometimes be a sign of a more serious condition. People of any age can faint, but elderly persons more often have a serious underlying cause. Three percent of adults aged 30-62 years have an episode of syncope  but 6% of those older than 75 years faint. Syncope accounts for 1-3% of emergency department visits and 1-6% of hospital admissions. The biggest risk is in people with heart disease, especially those with congestive heart failure or coronary heart disease.

Because fainting can be caused by a serious condition, you should be transported to a hospital emergency department in an ambulance. Calling your health care provider may waste time. The only exceptions are people who meet certain conditions. If all of these conditions apply, and you have a primary health care provider who is familiar with your medical condition, you may not have to go to the hospital. Have a family member or companion call your health care provider and ask if you should be taken to the hospital. If your health care provider is not available within 15 minutes, you should go to the hospital. Do not attempt to drive yourself; call 999 for emergency transport.

If possible, help the person who has fainted to the ground to minimize injury. Stimulate the person vigorously (yelling, briskly tapping). Call 999 immediately if the person does not respond. Check for the pulse in the neck and begin CPR, if needed. After the person recovers, encourage him or her to lie down until medical help arrives. Even if you believe the cause of the fainting is harmless, have the person lie down for 15-20 minutes before attempting to get up again. Ask about any persistent symptoms, such as headache, back pain, chest pain, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, weakness, or loss of function, because these may indicate a life-threatening cause of the fainting.

Aromatherapy Treatments:

Essential oils can be helpful for a state of shock or for feeling faint. Neroli and Peppermint are the best to use but if these are not available then Lavender or Rosemary can be used. Simply hold the opened bottle under the nose of a person who feels faint or to aid recovery after the faint. Alternatively put a few drops on a handkerchief and hold under the nose of the person.