Holiday Overindulgence: The Dizzying Side Of Festive Fun
The holidays are a time for fun, sun, and perhaps that extra glass of bubbly or helping of Bobotie. But sometimes, too much of a good thing can leave you feeling light-headed. Read on to find out what you should do if you – or someone you know – suddenly feels faint this holiday season.
What is Fainting?
Fainting, medically known as syncope, is a temporary loss of consciousness, usually induced by an abrupt decrease in blood pressure. The most common reason for this abrupt decline is a shift in blood vessels or the heartbeat. Blood arteries constantly change their diameter to maintain a consistent blood pressure. For example, as we stand up, our vessels tighten (constrict) to combat gravity’s effects.
When you faint, your body’s parasympathetic nervous system (a group of nerves that helps your body relax) goes into overdrive, causing blood to pool in your peripheral tissues instead of going to your brain and heart. This lowered blood supply to the brain can suddenly make the world around you fuzzy. Your head spins, and before you know it, everything goes black momentarily, leaving you a bit dazed when you come to.
Symptoms of Fainting
The good news is that the majority of fainting usually lasts just a minute or two, followed by a complete recovery. While fainting happens quickly there are a few telltale signs that a fainting spell may occur. A few red flags include:
- Dizziness.
- Light-headedness.
- Pale complexation.
- Perspiration.
- Increased anxiousness and restlessness.
- Nausea.
When Should You Worry About Fainting?
Fainting can sometimes be followed by a more serious medical condition, such as a stroke or a disruption in the regular cardiac rhythm. Frequent fainting could be a result of an underlying medical condition, such as diabetes, heart disease, atherosclerosis, or lung disease.
If you’re feeling faint and experience shortness of breath, chest aches, heart palpitations, slurred speech, facial droop, weakness in any limb, or if your heart is racing or slower than usual, contact Affinity Rescue at 0861 11 77 74.
What To Do If You Feel Faint?
If you’re feeling faint, lay down and raise your feet. This may help avoid a loss of consciousness. If you cannot lie down, position your head as low as possible. Once the dizziness has passed, sit up carefully. Drinking water, eating something (simple carbs work well), or going outside for fresh air can also help if you feel light-headed.
What To Do If Someone Faints
If someone faints, here’s what to do:
- Help them lie down, and if they’ve fainted while sitting, gently lower them to the ground.
- If unconscious, roll them onto their side and check for breathing and a pulse.
- Try to elevate their feet above their head if you can. If the heat caused the fainting, loosen their clothing and cool them off with a damp cloth or by fanning.
- Check for injuries if they’ve fallen, and if they don’t wake up within a few seconds or recover in a few minutes, don’t hesitate to contact Affinity Rescue for an ambulance.
Fainting can be scary, but most of the time, it’s not severe. If someone faints, the first thing to do is lay them down and raise their feet. Remember to stay calm – fainting episodes are generally over fast. If you’re the one who keeps feeling lightheaded or passing out, it’s worth chatting with your doctor to make sure there’s nothing more going on.
If you have health conditions that might cause fainting, your Affinity Rescue plan is ready to provide quick, supportive and emergency medical care to help you feel better and stay safe.