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How Can I Prevent Myself From Fainting?

If you have a tendency to faint and you are able to identify any situations that provoke fainting, work to avoid those situations. For example, you may need to be sure that you eat regularly to avoid hunger. Other interventions that may help are to avoid excess fatigue, warm environments and alcohol - all of which can cause fainting. You may need to learn to control your breathing so that you don't breathe too quickly and hyperventilate when you feel anxious. You may need to get up very gradually from a lying position. Many episodes of fainting occur when getting out of bed, so it is wise to carpet the area around your bed and keep it free of objects that you may hit during a fall.

To help prevent fainting, people who have documented vasovagal attacks should be on a high-salt diet and drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration and maintain blood volume. They should watch for the warning signs of fainting — dizziness, nausea, and sweaty palms — and sit or lie down if they feel the warning signs.

Elderly people with fainting need to have their medications reviewed by their doctor. They should also exercise caution when changing positions from lying to standing. Slowly elevating the body allows it to adjust to the new position, minimizing the chances of syncope. Dehydration must be also be avoided in older patients.