Also known as Syncope, fainting is a very common occurrence and is the temporary loss of consciousness caused by a lack of blood flowing to the brain. The condition can affect individuals of any age although when it occurs to an elderly person, it could be a sign of a more serious underlying medical problem. Studies have shown that about three percent of all adults aged between the age of 30 and 65 experience and episode of syncope, while about 6% of all individuals above the age of 75% may experience an episode. In most cases, fainting is triggered by the Vagus nerve that connects the digestive system to the brain. When a person consumes some food, this nerve will pull blood from other body tissues including the brain and direct it to the stomach and intestines. Fainting is the result of the Vagus nerve pulling too much blood from the brain. Individuals that suffer from a chronic illness of fainting are likely to start experiencing the attacks from the age of about 13 and continue to have episode throughout their lives. It is also important to identify the conditions that trigger the episode. Some people have a tendency to faint whenever they are exposed to certain conditions like the presence of blood, suffering from anxiety or a panic disorder and stress. The condition of your heart will also play a prominent role in whether you are affected by the condition or not. To elaborate, a healthy heart pumps blood through the veins more consistently. If your have a weak heart, chances are that your brain may suffer from a distinct lack of blood supply, causing you to faint.
The most common symptoms a person is likely to experience before losing consciousness include dizziness, feeling sweaty or nauseous. On awakening, the patient is also likely to feel like vomiting while also experiencing extreme weakness and temporary amnesia.
The primary focus of any treatment when a person faints is to make sure that regular supply of oxygen in the blood to the brain is restored. After a person faints, make sure that they are lying face up on a flat surface and their legs are raised above their head. Loosen up any tight clothes as they are likely to disrupt blood flow within the body. Once the patient has recovered, serve him or her a cup of ginger tea as its antidepressant, antispasmodic and stimulant properties are likely to be very helpful.