Common Symptoms And Causes Of Dizziness

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Fainting

Durable Health

Fainting, also called syncope, blacking out, or passing out, refers to a sudden and temporary loss of consciousness, usually caused by insufficient blood flow to the brain. It often occurs among individuals with hypotension, a condition that causes your blood pressure to be lower than normal, depriving your brain of adequate blood and oxygen supply. Most episodes of fainting are very brief, with affected individuals regaining consciousness within just a few minutes. Some studies suggest that vasovagal syncope can be inherited.

A young, healthy person can have an episode of fainting, but this symptom may also indicate a particular medical condition, such as a deficiency in red blood cells (anemia), low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), an irregular heartbeat, a seizure, or a problem with how the nervous system regulates blood pressure. Fainting can be a problem primarily among the elderly who may sustain serious injuries from falls when they lose consciousness.