Fainting

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Call 911 Now

• Still passed out or hard to wake up after 2 minutes
• Caused by choking on something
• Fainted suddenly after medicine, allergic food or bee sting
• Trouble breathing and not a breath-holding spell
• Bleeding large amount
• You think your child has a life-threatening emergency

Go to ER Now

• Talking or acting confused for more than 5 minutes
• Feels too dizzy to stand after drinking fluids
• Fainted during exercise
• Heart is beating too fast
• Chest Pain
• Muscle jerking or shaking during fainting

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

• Followed a head injury
• Followed a belly injury
• First fainting spell
• Passed out for more than 1 minute after laying down
• Dehydration suspected. No urine in more than 8 hours, dark urine, and very dry mouth.
• Fainted 2 times in one day
• Age less than 10 years
• Cause of fainting is unknown. Not if cause is long standing, sudden standing, pain or stressful event.
• Your child looks or acts very sick
• You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

• You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

• Simple fainting from long standing, sudden standing or pain is a frequent problem
• You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

• Simple fainting and now alert and feels fine
• Prevent Simple Fainting

Atención en el hogar

Fainting Treatment

What You Should Know About Simple Fainting:

• Fainting is common and happens in 15% of teens.
• Standing too long in one place is the most common cause of fainting. It's caused by blood pooling in the legs.
• Standing up quickly after lying down can cause anyone to feel dizzy. If your child doesn't sit down when this happens, he may faint.
• These are normal types of fainting.
• Simple fainting doesn't cause any long-term problems.
• Here is some care advice that should help.

Lie Down:

• Lie down flat with the feet up for 10 minutes.
• Reason: this will increase blood flow to the brain. Simple fainting is due to a sudden drop in blood flow to the brain.
• Caution: getting up too soon can cause your child to faint again.

Drink Some Water:

• Give your child a large glass of water. Reason: to increase blood volume.
• Do this before he stands up again.
• Offer fruit juice if your child hasn't eaten breakfast yet. Reason: also raises blood sugar.
• In hot weather, drink extra water to stay hydrated.

Ease Stress:

• If fainting was due to stress or fear, help your child talk about what happened.
• Talk about what scared them.
• Try to calm your child with a soothing voice.
• Comfort them. Tell them they are safe and you will protect them.

What to Expect:

• Most children with a simple faint are alert within 2 minutes.
• They feel normal after lying down for 10 minutes.
• They are able to stand without feeling dizzy.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Still feeling faint or dizzy after 15 minutes
• Passes out again on the same day
• You think your child needs to be seen
• Your child becomes worse

Prevent Simple Fainting

When Dizzy, Lie Down or Sit Down:

• Most fainting can be prevented.
• Learn the early warning signs for fainting. They are feeling dizzy, blurry vision, and nausea.
• If you feel these warning signs, lie down right away.
• If you can only sit, put your head down by your knees.
• You only have 5 - 10 seconds to prevent fainting and falling down.

Move Your Leg Muscles:

• If long standing in one place is needed, tighten and relax your leg muscles. Do this a few times each minute. This will pump the blood back to your heart. Caution: never stand with your knees locked.
• For long sitting in one place, move your feet and legs every few minutes.
• When getting out of bed, sit on the edge for a few minutes before standing. If you feel dizzy, lie down again.
• If getting out of a hot tub or bath, go very slowly.

Extra Water and Salty Foods:

• If you tend to faint, extra water and salt are key.
• Drink extra fluids every day. Your goal is 8 cups (2 liters) per day. You may need more during sports or hot weather.
• Add some salty foods to your diet. Too little salt in your diet also isn't healthy. It can cause low blood pressure.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Fainting is a frequent problem
• You have other questions or concerns

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