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WHAT  IS  FAINTING?

 

Fainting is a temporary loss of consciousness due to an insufficient supply of blood to the brain. The medical term for fainting is syncope.

 

• Fainting usually affects children over 10, especially pubescent girls. If your child is under 10 years old and faints more than twice, you should seek medical advice. 
• Fainting is often a reflex action. Over activity of the vagal nerve slows the heart, reducing the blood supply to the head. 
• As soon as the child falls to the ground, blood flows back to the head and consciousness returns. 
• Fainting may occur without warning, but it is usually preceded by a feeling of dizziness or light-headedness. 
• A child who is about to faint may also appear pale, yawn, feel cold or clammy, feel nauseous and have a slow heartbeat. 

 If your child has fainted, loosen any tight clothing on her waist, neck and chest and make sure that her legs are raised so that the blood can circulate properly and reach her heart.

 

Common Cause of Fainting

 

A variety of events may lead to a reduced blood flow to the brain. Fainting is more common in children and teenagers than in adults.

 

Lack of movement: movement helps to keep blood circulating around the body. Standing still for a long period of time may cause a pooling of blood in. the legs, and the resulting Jack of blood supply to the head can cause fainting.

 

Hyperventilation: abnormally rapid breathing, caused by conditions such as anxiety, can lead to dizziness and fainting.

 

Muscular relaxation: fainting can occur as a result of a general Muscle relaxation, e.g. when having a hot bath.

 

Powerful  emotional reation: some people faint on receiving bad news and others faint at the sight of blood. Fear and pail can cause fainting.

 

Situations: hunger, dehydration, anaemia, fatigue and exhaustion can all cause fainting.

 

Standing to attention, or just standing still, and being in a crowd can cause a young child to faint.

 

Less Common Cause

 

Most cases of fainting have a simple cause and are a one-off occurrence. However, there are more serious causes that should be investigated by a doctor.

 

Shock: this involves reduced circulation, which can lead to fainting and a complete loss of consciousness.

 

A reduction in the supply of blood to the head: heart disease, pregnancy and a heavy menstrual period can all cause a person to faint.

 

An epileptic fit: this may cause loss of consciousness, and be confused with fainting.

 

Carotid sinus syndrome: in some people, stimulation to the carotid sinus in the neck causes the vagal nerve to send impulses to the heart, slowing it down and causing faintness.

 

What to do when a child faints

 

If your child has fainted, certain measures should be taken to bring her back to consciousness and make her comfortable once she has come round.

 

• Check that your child is breathing, then position her with her head low and her legs raised above heart level. This will help the blood flow to the brain and circulate to the heart. 
• Make sure that your child has a supply of fresh air. Loosen any tight clothing. 
• Once conscious, your child should continue to lie down for at least 10 minutes and when she feels better, get up very slowly. 
• If your child feels faint: position her with her head low and legs raised. 

If your child has fainted, fan her face to keep her body temperature cool, and to keep her from overheating.

 

When to seek help

 

Fainting attacks usually last for one or two minutes. If someone who has fainted remains unconscious for longer than this, additional first aid may be needed. Medical help should be sought under certain circumstances.

 

• Any fainting episode in a child should be reported to a doctor, particularly if fainting episodes occur more than twice. 
• If there is a loss of consciousness for more than two minutes. 
• If the head has been injured either before or as a result of fainting and collapse. 
• If other symptoms are apparent, such as shaking, tongue-biting or urinary or faecal incontinence. These symptoms can indicate convulsions.
• If medication, alcohol or drugs are suspected as the cause. 
• If the lips go blue - this could indicate choking, severe asthma or severe allergy-anaphylaxis. 
• If a feeling of light-headedness persists. 

 If blood or fluid loss occurs (through, for example, a severe nose­bleed, a heavy period, diarrhoea or vomiting). The child could be in shock, which can lead to fainting. Seek immediate medical help. 

 

What to do when a child is unconscious

 

If your child is already unconscious when you find her, she mayor may not have fainted. Until you know otherwise, assume that her unconscious state has a more serious cause.

 

Check that your child's airway is clear and that she is breathing. If your child is not breathing, begin mouth-to­-mouth resuscitation immediately. 

Check your child's pulse to make sure that blood is circulating properly. If there is no pulse, carry out chess compressions immediately. 

As soon as your child is breathing comfortably, place her in the recovery position and call 966-2-690-5021 (Jeddah)  for  an ambulance  assistance. Make sure that someone stays with her at all times.

 

If your child is slow to regain consciousness but is breathing and has a pulse, place her in the recovery position and call 966-2-690-5021 (Jeddah)  for  an ambulance  assistance.

 

For  More  Information:  Please  consult  your  physician  on  your  next  visit.