Fainting-Is it normal?

I am convinced that you will not believe me if I told you that it is normal for your child to faint, at least when he is still below the age of 15 years. Medical research has recently proven that over 30 per cent of children worldwide have had a fainting episode. When this happens, it is most likely that you will panic and get really anxious about what may have caused the fainting or even the aftermath. To say the least, you will be very terrified. That is why in this issue, we breakdown the causes, symptoms and treatment of fainting, medically referred to as syncope, to help you know how to handle your child when he passes out and also help you deal with the situation more calmly.

But first and foremost, it would be important for you to understand that fainting is a temporary loss of consciousness and muscle tone as a result of inadequate blood supply to the brain. This deprives the brains of sufficient amount of oxygen and thus a person faints.

What Causes fainting?

a) Sudden loss of strength probably because of stress, excruciating pain or, for some children, because of seeing blood. Some even experience this sudden loss of strength and faint seconds after receiving immunization. Here, the heart rate slows down causing blood that usually goes to the brain to be pooled in the legs thus causing the child to faint.

b) Postural hypotension. This is a drop in blood pressure that occurs when a child has been standing for a long while or has changed from a seating to a standing position. Normally blood pools in the legs due to the standing, interfering with blood circulation in the heart and the entire body. A drop in blood flow to the brain occurs and a child faints.

c) Your child could also faint when he breathes too fast or too deeply a condition known as hyperventilation. This makes the heart rate and blood vessels unable to keep up with the body’s need for oxygen. Hyperventilation mostly occurs if a child is under duress.

d) Some children may faint during or immediately after exercising.

e) Fainting could be a sign of epilepsy

f) Or even as a result of a child being dehydrated.

Symptoms

■Your child may feel dizzy, nauseated and weak. He may generally feel like he is about to faint.

■ Irregular heart beat

■ Shortness of breath

■ Blurred vision, numbness or a tingling feeling

■ Confusion

You will however need to contact your doctor if your child:

• Faints more than once in a month.

• Finds it difficult to speak or looses arm or leg movement after a fainting episode

• Urinates or passes stool when he faints.

• If you suspect that your baby might have taken any kind of medication or taken alcohol.

Treatment/home remedies
Your child will be treated depending on his age, the extent of the condition and the causes of the fainting. For illnesses causing fainting, for instance the irregular rhythms or epilepsy, your child’s doctor will prescribe medication to help control the condition.

You will however be largely encouraged to help your child avoid situations that trigger the episodes. Nonetheless, if fainting occurs, try as much as possible to:

• Remain calm

• Have your child lie down with the legs elevated.

• You could also have your child sit with his head bent below his knees.

• Apply cold compresses to the temple to help stimulate blood flow.

• Avoid throwing cold water on his face.

• If your baby fell down, carefully check whether he has sustained any injuries.

• Allow your child to rest for a while after he comes around to safeguard him from possibly passing out again.

END: BL35/26