Some Medications Will Make You Suffer with Fainting

Have you ever been to a wedding and saw someone faint, or maybe watched America's Funny Home Video, where they have back to back videos of people fainting?They are funny to watch.

I have felt as if I was going to faint, especially after I take some of my medications. It is a terrible feeling, however I do not have them very often and I have not actually fainted before.

There are people out in internet land that may have suffered from fainting on more than one occasion and have not thought about it being serious or excuse it to being too tired, hot, etc. If you are someone who seems to be suffering from fainting a little too often, I hope that this article can help.

Fainting (also known as Syncope) is a short term loss of consciousness, usually for less than one minute.

According to Dr's Guide.com - a quarter of young people who died suddenly of heart rhythm disorders had symptoms such as frequently or during exercise, according to a study session of the North America Society of Pacing and Electro physiology (NASPE). Another quarter had minor symptoms, including heart palpitations, dizziness, weakness, shortness of breath and chest pain. More than a third of those studied died during physical activity.

Such heart rhythm disorder kill more than 2,000 people a year in the United States, according to the American Heart Association. Out of the groups, 37 (17 percent) were athletes who died during athletic competition. Of the remaining deaths, 44 (20 percent) occurred during moderate activity, such as dancing.

"Fainting occurs when the heart isn't pumping efficiently enough to maintain adequate blood flow to the brain. As a result, you lose consciousness and faint," says Gerald Rogan, MD. "Just before fainting, a person may feel weak, nauseated, dizzy or lightheaded, experience blurred vision or sweat profusely.

Symptoms of fainting are: lightheaded (syncope), feeling like you will pass out, sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, rapid breathing, rapid heartbeat, loss of consciousness.

Things that can cause fainting: coughing, laughing, fear, pain, emotional stress, dehydration, sleep deprivation, head injury, heart disease, stroke, poor blood circulation, drug or alcohol use, seizure. Excessive dieting or mineral deficiencies, particularly of potassium, can make a person black out. There are also a number of medications that cause fainting as a side effect. For more information please go to www.wrongdiagnosis.com.

Pacemakers can help people who faint frequently, something that is common place for some people, and frequent fainting can cause serious problems.

Fainting occurs when the heart rate suddenly slows and dilating blood vessels cause blood pressure to drop. A pacemaker can keep the heart from slowing too much and decrease the risk of fainting.

The pacemaker did not prevent patients from having dizzy spells, which are often associated with fainting. In these patients, blood vessels may continue to dilate, even the pacemaker regulates the heartbeat, the researchers explain.

You need to see your doctor if you've suffered a head concussion, or heard injury with 24 hrs. You've had two or more fainting spells with 24 hrs. You have heart disease, stroke or seizures previously. You have memory lapse or lose control of your bowels. You're taking medication you work around machinery or in a high risk occupation and you fainting could endanger you or your co-worker.

Things you can do when you feel a fainting spell coming on. You do not need to remain standing or sitting. You need to lie down and elevate your legs to stimulate blood flow to the brain," says Dr. Rogan. "If you do that, there's a good chance you won't faint."

Regardless of where you are and you feel faint, drop to the ground right when you are, even if it is in the middle of the restaurant. "You have about five seconds between the time you start to faint and actually do. Lie down right where you are at and put your feet up. After a minute or two, try getting up slowly, and get to your destination."

Take 10 to 12 deep breaths a minute until you stop feeling faint. Deep breathing helps draw blood in your arms back to your heart. But over breathing can cause hyperventilation.

Keep an eye on the drugs or medications you take. Prescribed drugs such as diuretics, sedatives and blood pressure medications, can cause fainting. Always take time for sleep, lack of sleep can cause fainting.

Exercise helps strengthen blood vessels and maintain adequate blood flow. Brisk walking 20 minutes three times a day may be all you need to prevent fainting spells.

Do not forget to drink water, if water is not available try a sport drink, they are good for replenishing minerals, including potassium and magnesium. Sometimes just like irregular heartbeats, fainting will not occur when you are at the doctor's office. It may be advisable to keep a journal.

If fainting is becoming something abnormal, disrupting your quality of life, see your doctor now.