While fainting is often harmless, it can sometimes point to a more serious issue. If you faint often, it’s essential to find out why. Once you know the cause, you can take steps to prevent it.
If you faint frequently, pass out while exercising, or take a long time to wake up, you should visit our board-certified neurologist, Kenneth K. Wogensen, MD.
Fainting (which doctors call syncope) happens for many reasons, some mild and others more serious. It may occur alongside other symptoms, such as headaches and vertigo. Understanding what causes fainting helps you manage and prevent episodes.
Your nervous system controls everything in your body, including blood pressure. If something goes wrong, your blood pressure can suddenly drop, reducing oxygen to the brain and causing you to faint. This can happen for various reasons, including nerve-related conditions.
Vasovagal syncope (the most common cause of fainting) happens when the vagus nerve, which helps regulate heart rate and blood pressure, reacts too strongly to triggers like stress, dehydration, or the sight of blood. This reaction causes the heart rate to slow and blood vessels to widen, leading to a sudden drop in blood pressure.
As a result, the brain doesn’t get enough oxygen, and the person may faint. Lying or sitting down helps blood flow return to normal, and most people wake up within a few seconds.
Getting up too fast can make you lightheaded and cause you to faint. This happens because gravity pulls blood down into your legs, and, if your body doesn’t adjust quickly enough, your brain doesn’t get enough oxygen. Dehydration, diabetes, and certain medications can make this condition worse.
Some people faint because of heart conditions that reduce blood flow to the brain. If you have a heart problem, fainting might signify that your heart isn’t pumping properly.
A stroke happens when a blockage cuts off blood flow to the brain. This can cause fainting, along with other symptoms like numbness, confusion, or difficulty speaking. If you suspect a stroke, seek medical help immediately.
Your body needs a steady supply of sugar to function. If blood sugar levels drop too low, your brain doesn’t get enough energy, which can lead to fainting. Eating regularly and managing conditions like diabetes can help prevent this.
Epilepsy and other seizure disorders can sometimes cause fainting-like episodes. These conditions develop when there’s unusual electrical activity in the brain, causing various symptoms that include loss of consciousness.
Not all seizures involve dramatic convulsions — many are subtle, making them harder to recognize. Some seizures, especially small ones, may cause brief moments of confusion or awareness lapses that can seem like fainting.
The good news is that there are many ways to manage and reduce fainting episodes. Treatments range from simple lifestyle changes to complex medical procedures.
For many people, minor lifestyle adjustments can make a big difference. These include:
If a specific condition causes your fainting, you may require medication to help, for example:
Some people faint because of anxiety or stress-related conditions. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you manage stress and learn coping techniques to prevent fainting in stressful situations.
For some heart-related fainting conditions, you might need an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) or a pacemaker. These devices monitor heart rhythms and provide electrical stimulation when required to prevent fainting episodes.
In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair structural heart problems.
Fainting can be unsettling, but, in most cases, it’s not life-threatening. Understanding what causes your fainting episodes and taking the right steps can help you manage and reduce them.
If you experience frequent fainting, don’t ignore it. Call Kenneth K. Wogensen, MD, or book an appointment online to find out what’s wrong and how to resolve it.
