FIRST AID TIPS IN TREATING A FAINTED PERSON
Marching on Independence Day for your school is like being chosen as an American Idol winner for most pupils in Ghana. However, as a teenager, even though I fancied marching, I never joined the school cadet because I was scared I would faint if I was chosen to march on Independence Day. I had heard stories of most pupils fainting on the parade grounds because they didn’t eat heavily enough. On the contrary, fainting has nothing to do with food!
Ross and Wilson define fainting as a brief loss of consciousness. It happens as a result of a fall in the volume of blood supply to the brain cells and since the blood carries oxygen to the brain, the brain cells do not get sufficient oxygen to function effectively. Some people may faint at the sight of blood or upon receiving bad news.
The causes of fainting are numerous and varied. Here are some of the commonest:
- · Emotional factors such as sudden severe pain, grief or fear.
- · Excessive loss of blood due to haemorrhages (bleeding).
- · Standing in the same position for a long time.
- · Shock.
- · In a hot, moist or stuffy environment.eg walking on a desert.
- · Abnormal heart rhythms (too fast or too slow). When it beats too fast it doesn’t take enough time to fill its chambers with enough blood thus less blood supply to the brain. On the other hand, if its too slow it takes too much time to fill thus the rate at which blood is supplied to the brain is slow.
- · Disease conditions of the heart. Example, people with conditions where a part of the heart muscle dies (myocardial infarction). The heart muscle cannot pump the blood effectively in such cases.
- · Postural hypotension also known as orthostatic hypotension. When you wake up quickly from bed after lying down for a long time. Force of gravity acts on the blood causing it to pool or gather in your legs so that there is less blood in the hands, chest and the head. This is normal but sometimes the drop in blood pressure becomes too much as the body is not able to act quickly enough to restore blood pressure, then postural or orthostatic hypotension occurs. Thus, a second factor is needed to trigger this mechanism such as pregnancy, disease or medication so that the fall in blood pressure is much lower than normal.
Often before fainting one would show the following signs, however, in patients with cardiac problems, they rather complain of chest pain.
- · The person turns pale and the lips become white.
- · The skin becomes cold and clammy.
- · Sweating around the mouth and on the forehead.
- · Rapid and shallow breathing.
- · Rapid and faint pulse.
- · The person sinks to the ground unconscious.
The objective in treating someone who has fainted is to improve blood supply to the brain and also improve oxygen supply. Here are a few measures to take in treating someone who faints.
If you notice the first four signs on time, let him lie on his back for about 10-15 minutes or preferably let him sit with his head in between his knees to enhance blood supply to the brain. Remember, you only do this when the person is still conscious or awake. You can even give him or her a cold drink.
Loosen any tight clothing around the neck, waist or chest to enhance blood supply and also to improve the free flow of air around the patient.
However, if the person is already unconscious, just loosen any tight clothing. Allow fresh air to circulate around the patient. You can do this by opening all windows if indoors, control bystanders who tend to crowd around the person making less room for fresh air or you can also fan him or her.
You can also raise the person’s limbs (legs) above the heart so blood would move quickly to the brain.
Turn the person to his or her side to drain any saliva or secretions out of the mouth because these tend to choke the individual and obstruct breathing.
If the person sustains a head injury, bandage the site to control bleeding and transport to the hospital immediately for further investigations and treatment.
Never attempt to lift a person who just fainted back on his or her feet. Instead, allow the person to continue lying down. It’s an attempt by the body to move blood to the brain.
If the individual does not regain consciousness in a few minutes, transport him or her to the hospital at once.
If the cause of fainting is due to a cardiac problem, transport patient to the hospital immediately.
REFERENCES
· Ross and Wilson. Foundations of Nursing and First Aid. 6th Ed,Longman Group UK
BY: LOIS APPIAH
That's a great bit of information. Wonderful knowledge.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Expect more education on health issues. Keeping you informed is our pleasure. I hope you will be a regular visitor of this blog.
DeleteEvery a health cautious person you should have good knowledge as well as good training on First Aid and Arthritis.
ReplyDelete