# Fainting Signs and symptoms

pale, cool, moist skin

numbness in the fingers and toes

nausea

faintness, dizziness

confusion

loss of consciousness

DO NOT sit the patient on a chair with ! their head between their knees.

What to do 1 Follow DRSABCD. 2 Lie the patient down on their back with their legs elevated. 3 Loosen any tight clothing. 4 Ensure plenty of fresh air – open a window if possible. 5 Treat any injury resulting from a fall. 6 If fainting is the result of an underlying medical condition, advise the patient to seek medical aid. Fainting is a partial or complete loss of consciousness caused by a temporary reduction of blood flow to the brain. People usually recover from fainting quickly, often within seconds, without any lasting effects. Fainting can occur at any time and may be triggered by:

emotional shock

pain - overexertion

exhaustion

lack of food

sight of blood

low blood pressure

standing still in hot conditions.