Questions to Ask Is the person who fainted not breathing and does he/she not have a pulse? Do CPR and Get Emergency Care. Are signs of a heart attack also present with the fainting? Chest pain or pressure. Pain that spreads to the arm, neck or jaw. Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Nausea and/or vomiting. Sweating. Rapid, slow or irregular heartbeat. Anxiety. Get Emergency Care and give first aid before emergency care. Are signs of a stroke also present with the fainting? Numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg. Temporary loss of vision or speech, double vision. Sudden, severe headache. Did the fainting come after an injury to the head? Get Emergency Care and give first aid before emergency care. Do you have any of these with the fainting? Pelvic pain. Black stools. Have you fainted more than once? Do any of these apply? You are take high blood pressure medicine. You started taking a new medicine. You increased the dose of a medicine you take. Self-Care/First Aid

Do these things when you feel faint:

• Sit down, bend forward and put your head between your knees, or
• Lie down and elevate both legs 8 to 12 inches.

If you faint easily:

• Get up slowly from bed or from a sitting position.
• Follow your doctor's advice to treat any medical condition which may lead to fainting. Take medicines as prescribed, but let your doctor know about any side effects so he/she can monitor your condition.
• Don't wear tight-fitting clothing around your neck.
• Avoid turning your head suddenly.
• Stay out of stuffy rooms and hot, humid places. If you can't, use a fan.
• Avoid activities that can put your life in danger if you have frequent fainting spells. Examples include: Driving and climbing high places.
• Drink alcoholic beverages in moderation.

For women who are pregnant:

• Get out of bed slowly.
• Keep crackers at your bedside and eat a few before getting out of bed. Try other foods such as dry toast, graham crackers, bananas, etc.
• Eat small, frequent meals instead of a few large ones. Have a good food source of protein, such as lean meat, low-fat cheese, milk, etc. with each meal. Avoid sweets. Don't skip meals or go for a long time without eating.
• Don't sit for long periods of time.
• Keep your legs elevated when you sit.
• When you stand, as in a line, don't stand still. Move your legs to pump blood up to your heart.
• Take vitamin and mineral supplements as your doctor prescribes.
• Never lay on your back during the 3rd trimester. It is best to lay on your left side. If you can't, lay on your right side.

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