A.– Fainting, which your doctor may refer to using the medical term syncope, is not uncommon. Experts say as many as one in three adults experiences at least one fainting spell over time.
In most cases, it’s not related to a serious medical condition, but if you faint, you should always get an evaluation by a doctor to rule out more serious causes, including heart-related problems.
The most common reasons for fainting are two conditions, vasovagal syncope and orthostatic hypotension.
Vasovagal syncope occurs when a nerve that regulates your blood pressure and heart rate is overstimulated. This might occur if you feel anxious about something or start feeling too warm while standing in a crowd of people.
Orthostatic hypotension is a drop in blood pressure that occurs when you stand up. During these episodes, your blood flows down to your feet, and if your body can’t work fast enough to get sufficient blood to your brain, you faint.
Orthostatic hypotension can be aggravated if you’re too warm, don’t drink enough water, or are very hungry.
While vasovagal syncope is more common in younger people, orthostatic hypotension becomes more common with age. Neither of these conditions is life threatening. But fainting can result in a fracture or head injury, especially in older people.
