FAINTINGUNCONSCIOUSNESS

FIRST AID-FIRST HELP

WHAT IS FAINTING?• The medical term for fainting is syncope. Fainting is a sudden loss of consciousness, usually temporary and typically caused by a lack of oxygen in the brain. The brain oxygen deprivation has many possible causes, including hypotension (low blood pressure).

CAUSES OF FAINTING• It may be caused by malfunctioning lungs, problems with

blood circulation, or carbon monoxide poisoning. Some people faint at the sight of blood, or when receiving an injection or seeing somebody having one. • Children sometimes play a game (fainting game) in which

they deliberately restrict blood flow to the brain in order to trigger syncope - this is dangerous and may cause brain damage, and even death.

SYMPTOMS◾A feeling of heaviness in the legs◾Blurred vision◾Confusion◾Feeling warm or hot◾Light headedness, dizziness, a floating feeling◾Nausea◾Sweating◾Vomiting◾Yawning.

SIGNS TO RECOGNIZE• The individual may be falling over.• The patient may be slumping.• The person may be unusually pale.• There may be a drop in blood pressure.• There may be a weak pulse.

HOW TO DIAGNOSE?Its not easy differentiate a simple fainting from something serious like stroke. So fainting or unconsciousness should not be taken lightly. So if any symptom strikes you and indicates you fainting conditions you must first try to help yourself and then ask some one else’s help. if you notice someone fainting you should help the person. So the steps to perform first aid are-;

•Know•Observe•Act•sure

IF YOU FEEL FAINT•Don’t stay standing up. Find somewhere to either sit or lie down.• If you manage to sit down place your head between your knees.•When you do get up do so slowly.

IF YOU SEE SOMEBODY FAINTING

• Place the patient on his/her back, facing up• If the individual is breathing raise their legs about 12 inches

above heart level to restore blood flow to the brain• Try to loosen all belts, ties, collars and restrictive clothing• If they remain unconscious for more than a minute put the

patient in recovery position and get emergency medical help• Check for breathing, coughing or movement. If you cannot

detect any, start CPR. Continue giving CPR until either help arrives or the patient starts breathing on her/his own.• If the individual was injured and is bleeding after the fall, apply

direct pressure to control the bleeding.

WHAT SHOULD YOU AVOID• Pour water over the head of unconscious person.• Putting the victim’s head on pillow may obstruct breathing.• Give food or drink to an unconscious person.• Providing alcohol to a person who is recovering from swoon, as it may

worsen the situation.

WHEN SHOULD YOU TAKE THE PERSON TO HOSPITAL?• When the patient has stopped breathing or heartbeat has stopped.• The individual does not gain consciousness quickly.• If the individual is pregnant.• If the individual is over 50 years of age.• If the patient has diabetes.• When the faints are frequent.• When there are visual disturbances, inability to move, loss of speech, or

chest discomfort.

PREVENTION•Get your blood sugar and salt levels up.•Keep cool•Get hydrated with just plain water•Lie down and don’t get up quickly.•Control your breathing •Avoid your triggers

THANK YOU EFFORTS BY : AAGMAN SAINI