How to Identify Causes of Fainting

Syncope or fainting is a temporary loss of consciousness. Often the person passes out for a few seconds and regains consciousness. Sometimes it can be a sign of more serious problems. Read on to learn about how to identify causes of fainting.

Instructions

• 1

  Evaluate your diet over the past couple weeks. If you have not been eating a well-balanced diet, your body is not getting enough energy to function properly.

• 2

  Determine if you were nervous, anxious or stressed out prior to fainting. When your heart rate increases, your blood vessels require oxygen faster. Sometimes the blood vessels can't react fast enough and your blood pressure drops. Also hyperventilating (breathing heavy) can cause you to pass out.

• 3

  Consider your environment at the time when you passed out. Were you physically active while it was hot outside?

• 4

  Take your age into consideration. If you are older and already have other health problems like diabetes, you may be at a greater risk of fainting during physical activity.

• 5

  <understand that restricting the flow of oxygen can cause fainting. Coughing, urinating or stretching can decrease the amount of oxygen in your blood causing you to pass out during these activities.