82
FAMILY ILLNESS
Feeling faint / passing out
A sensation of dizziness or lightheadedness may be followed by passing out( loss of consciousness). The cause is usually lack of food or a reduction in blood flow to the brain. A brief episode of feeling faint without other symptoms is not a cause for alarm, but you should consult your doctor if such episodes recur or if you have passed out.
START
Have you had any of the following?
Have you noticed any of the following?
! Unconsciousness
If someone remains unconscious for more than a minute or so, whatever the suspected cause, you should get emergency medical help.
• If you need to leave the person to call for help,
first lay him or her in the recovery position( pp. 14 – 15).
• Do not move the person if you suspect spinal injury.
Disturbed vision
Numbness, weakness, or tingling
Confusion
Difficulty speaking
None of the above
Are any of the symptoms still present?
Symptoms present
Symptoms no longer present
ACTION
DIAL 911 OR CALL EMS
! You may have had a stroke.
Bloodstained vomit
Red blood in the feces
Black, tarry feces
None of the above
ACTION
DIAL 911 OR CALL EMS
! You may have some bleeding within the digestive tract, perhaps from a stomach ulcer( an eroded area of the stomach lining) or from an inflammation in the colon.
ACTION
CALL YOUR DOCTOR NOW You may have had a mini-stroke.
Did any of the following occur when you passed out?
You twitched uncontrollably
You bit your tongue
You urinated
None of the above
ACTION
DIAL 911 OR CALL EMS
! if this is your first attack. You may have had a seizure, possibly due to epilepsy.
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR if you have had previous similar attacks.