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CATHERINE W GICHUKI
DOHA
AROUND six in 1,000 people have an episode of fainting once a year, according to Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) consultant of Internal Medicine Dr Amal El-Hawari.
Speaking to media persons, Dr Hawari said fainting is common and affects more than 40 percent of the population.
Fainting or black out or collapse refers to a person who has a sudden brief loss of consciousness and usually has a spontaneous recovery.
“This happens because the blood vessels suddenly expand with inappropriate low heart rate and decreased blood flow to the brain.”
She said this is especially common among those aged between 10 and 30 years.
According to her, around 3 percent of cases reported to the Emergency Department are of fainting cases, most of which are simple fainting.”
“Blood vessels dilate due to certain triggers. These triggers can include exposure to emotions, scary uneasy situations, seeing blood, severe period pains, being in a very crowded hot place, and drop in blood pressure,” she pointed out.
According to her, a person starts feeling light, nausea, blurred vision, dull hearing and then collapses. “They are still aware of what is happening in their surroundings to a certain extent. If it is simple fainting, they regain their consciousness within a minute or so.”
She said there is a difference between a simple fainting and seizure, adding, “When a person has seizure, they don’t remember anything.”
Talking about the first aid to be given to a person in case of fainting, she said, “First lay the person down and lift their legs up to try to push more blood to the brain so that they come around quicker.”
However, fainting is a concern if a person is elderly, or is 40 and above and has the first fainting episode; or if it happens with exercise. “If it happens with exercise it might be the result of cardiac problem or palpitations.”
“Sometimes it is a result of arrhythmia (irregular heart beat) or long QT syndrome (which is a serious problem and can cause sudden death), while on other occasions it could be a result of hypoglacemia or hypotension. “I would advise those experiencing fainting to consult a doctor.”
She said they get referrals from different specialties, Emergency Department and health centres.
DOHA
AROUND six in 1,000 people have an episode of fainting once a year, according to Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) consultant of Internal Medicine Dr Amal El-Hawari.
Speaking to media persons, Dr Hawari said fainting is common and affects more than 40 percent of the population.
Fainting or black out or collapse refers to a person who has a sudden brief loss of consciousness and usually has a spontaneous recovery.
“This happens because the blood vessels suddenly expand with inappropriate low heart rate and decreased blood flow to the brain.”
She said this is especially common among those aged between 10 and 30 years.
According to her, around 3 percent of cases reported to the Emergency Department are of fainting cases, most of which are simple fainting.”
“Blood vessels dilate due to certain triggers. These triggers can include exposure to emotions, scary uneasy situations, seeing blood, severe period pains, being in a very crowded hot place, and drop in blood pressure,” she pointed out.
According to her, a person starts feeling light, nausea, blurred vision, dull hearing and then collapses. “They are still aware of what is happening in their surroundings to a certain extent. If it is simple fainting, they regain their consciousness within a minute or so.”
She said there is a difference between a simple fainting and seizure, adding, “When a person has seizure, they don’t remember anything.”
Talking about the first aid to be given to a person in case of fainting, she said, “First lay the person down and lift their legs up to try to push more blood to the brain so that they come around quicker.”
However, fainting is a concern if a person is elderly, or is 40 and above and has the first fainting episode; or if it happens with exercise. “If it happens with exercise it might be the result of cardiac problem or palpitations.”
“Sometimes it is a result of arrhythmia (irregular heart beat) or long QT syndrome (which is a serious problem and can cause sudden death), while on other occasions it could be a result of hypoglacemia or hypotension. “I would advise those experiencing fainting to consult a doctor.”
She said they get referrals from different specialties, Emergency Department and health centres.
