Fainting
Fainting is a brief loss of consciousness due to a drop in blood flow to the brain. The episode is usually brief lasting less than a couple of minutes and you recover from it quickly and completely.
The medical name for fainting is syncope.
If it is the first time a child has fainted it should be treated as a medical emergency in case there is an underlying medical condition.Possible causes:
- Low blood sugar
- Standing in one place for too long
- Seizures
- Sudden drop in blood pressure due to dehydration or bleeding
- Standing up very suddenly from a lying position
Fainting can also be related to:
- Emotional distress
- Fear
- Severe pain
Treatment:
- Have the child lie down or sit down
- Loosen belts, collars and restrictive clothing
- Check for breathing
- Have him place his head between his knees if sitting
- Advise him to get up slowly after the event
- If there is bleeding from an injury control the bleeding
- Call 911 if he doesn’t regain consciousness within one minute
- Start CPR if there is no breathing or signs of life and continue until trained medical help arrives or until the child regains consciousness