It is caused by a sudden loss of consciousness which happens when the brain doesn�t receive enough oxygen or blood sugar to work normally. It is usually preceded by a sensation of dizziness or sickness, pallor, sweating, shallow breathing, loss of sight and unsteadiness on the feet.

Causes of fainting fits
� The sight of blood.
� A strong emotion (fear, joy)
� Prolonged fasting.
� Physical exertion on especially hot days.
� Extreme tiredness.
� Being a long time in an enclosed space in a stale atmosphere.
� Addison's disease: kidney failure brought on by an underactive adrenal gland.
� An allergic reaction to a medicine.
� Heart disorders.
� Anaemia (destruction of red corpuscles).
� A drop in blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia).
� Shallow irregular breathing (hyperventilation).
� Epileptic attacks.
� Brain embolism (stroke).

Seriousness
A person can faint while urinating, coughing or stretching because these are all acts which can interrupt the flow of oxygen to the brain. If it happens once there is no cause for alarm. Fainting fits tend not to be serious unless they occur often. If they do, you should see a doctor especially if you show any of the symptoms described below:
� Irregular heartbeat.
� Chest pain.
� Difficulty breathing.
� Sudden attack.
� Blurred vision.
� Confusion.
� Difficulty speaking.
� Fainting with sudden movements of the head.
� Fainting more than once in a month.

What to do if you faint?
� If you feel that you are going to faint, lie down on the floor or sit down straight away so as to avoid hurting yourself if you fall and warn someone nearby
� If someone near you faints, put him or her somewhere with plenty of air.
� Place them face up, with their legs raised to help blood to return to the brain.
� Loosen clothing to assist breathing.
� Do not give them anything to eat or drink.
� If they vomit, turn them on one side.
� If they do not regain consciousness, stretch their neck and raise the lower jaw so their tongue doesn�t slip back and block the airways.
� When they regain consciousness, tell the patient to breath deeply and cough a few times. This will enhance the blood flow to the brain. They should sit up slowly.
� Seek medical aid.

Fainting should not be confused with...
� Vertigo. Sensation of movement, either of the sufferer or things around them. The patient may fall to the ground but will remain conscious. Pulse and blood pressure remain normal.
� Conversion disorder. This is what was formerly known as conversion hysteria and is a psychosomatic disorder. There is no pallor or change of pulse and blood pressure. The patient will tend to fall gently without hurting themselves.
� Hypoglycemia. Either spontaneous or due to an overdose of insulin, it may lead to a fainting fit or even a coma. It usually causes debility, trembling, diaphoresis (sweating), headache and tachycardia, although blood pressure remains normal.

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