Page 21 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

COMMON CONDITIONS: GENERAL SYMPTOMS 19

Feeling dizzy or faint

Dizzy spells and feeling faint are common problems. Causes
include low blood sugar, drinking too much alcohol, or simply WARNING
getting up too quickly. Feeling faint may also be due to emotional Seek immediate medical help if
you are dizzy or faint and have:
shock or panic, or may occur in pregnancy. An occasional episode
● Diabetes
is rarely a cause for concern, but sometimes the problem is due ● Chest pain or palpitations
to an underlying condition or to certain drugs. ● Weakness in your arms or legs,
slurred speech, or blurred vision
See also Panic attacks, p.24.

See your doctor first
PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE
Make an appointment to see your doctor if:
● You are taking a prescribed medicine that Recovery measures If you feel faint
or dizzy, sit down and put your head on your knees.
may be causing the problem, such as drugs Alternatively, lie down and raise your legs on a chair
for high blood pressure or tranquilizers
or cushion. Try to keep calm, because fast breathing
(hyperventilating) and anxiety can make symptoms
worse. Breathe slowly and
What you can do yourself deeply. Open a window
or go out into fresh air
There are several things you can do to help if you feel steady
yourself get over fainting a or dizzy spell quickly. on your feet.

● Keep your head down on your knees or your
feet raised and take deep breaths (see PRACTICAL
TECHNIQUE, right).
Helping blood flow
● If it has been several hours since you last ate, Lean forward and put your
eat or drink a snack that contains sugar (not head down to improve the
something containing artificial sweeteners). blood flow to your brain.
● Don’t drink caffeinated drinks such as coffee,
tea, cola, or alcohol, and don’t smoke, since all
of these can make your symptoms worse.
PREVENTION
● Don’t try to drive or operate machinery until
you are completely recovered. Avoiding dizzy spells Combine these
steps with any treatment from your doctor to help
prevent further attacks.
● Avoid hot and stuffy environments. Have a window
Seek further medical advice
open, or go out into fresh air from time to time.
Arrange to see your doctor if: ● Don’t get up suddenly after lying down or sitting.
● Drink at least 6–8 glasses of water a day.
● You do not recover promptly from an ● Eat regularly. Have healthy snacks, such as fruit,
episode of dizziness or feeling faint between meals to keep your blood sugar level steady.
● You have repeated episodes of feeling faint ● Avoid straining on the toilet, since this can cause
or dizzy, or you develop any other symptoms a drop in blood pressure and make you feel faint.
● If you are pregnant, don’t stand for long periods
or lie flat on your back.