$Unique_ID{BRK01398}
$Pretitle{Ill Defined Symptoms and Rare Diseases}
$Title{Fainting at the Slightest Sight of Blood}
$Subject{fainting treatment first aid}
$Volume{N-23}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Fainting at the Slightest Sight of Blood


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QUESTION:  Can you help reassure both my wife and myself?  She will faint at
the slightest sight of blood, and I am neither sure of the correct treatment
to render, nor the seriousness of her problem.  Your instructions are needed
and your impression as to the cause would be most appreciated?

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ANSWER:  The reason that people faint, or "pass out" (doctors call it
"syncope") is simply that the brain does not receive enough blood flow
carrying the oxygen that the brain needs.  However the cause of this reduced
blood flow is not always the same in each individual, and when it occurs
repeatedly, deserves a bit of attention.  From your letter it would seem that
your type of fainting, which is quite common and not at all dangerous, is of
the vasovagal variety, and is brought on by physical or emotional stimuli,
like pain, or in your wife's case, the sight of blood.  For some reason, this
causes the nerves leading to small vessels in our circulatory system, to send
out messages which make the vessels dilate, and grow larger, increasing their
capacity to hold blood very rapidly.  Much of our circulating blood can "pool"
in these vessels, diminishing the amount available to circulate to our brain.
The brain simply can not function properly without enough oxygen, causing a
loss of consciousness.  Some warning symptoms may be experienced, like
dizziness or light-headedness before the actual loss of consciousness.  Then
the fall, hopefully onto some soft spot, which brings the head down to the
level of the heart, thus increasing the blood flow to the brain.  Actually
this is nature's own treatment, and once in the horizontal position, no
further treatment is needed.  The faint is rapidly over, and the patient can
slowly begin to get back to normal.  Easy at first, for sitting up too rapidly
after a faint can sometimes cause it to re-occur.  Keep your wife sitting
where she is for a moment or two, then up to sitting on a chair, then
gradually to a full standing position, all easy actions for you to help with.
Just stay calm, the episode will end rapidly, with no lasting ill effects to
worry about.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
