9 causes of fainting in adolescents

• April 25, 2024

Factors cause fainting in adolescents. Here we present a list of some of the causes that can arise specifically in this sector of the population.

1. Physical triggers Either by excess heat, by too much exercise, by inadequate fluid intake, dehydration, hunger, exhaustion, or simply by getting up abruptly.
2. Emotional stress . Emotions such as fear, pain or anxiety can affect the nervous system of a person, causing a drop in blood pressure. An example of this may be the fact that some people faint when they see blood.
3. Hyperventilation. It is said that a person hyperventilates when breathing too fast, which causes a decrease in carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood. This can make you pass out.
4. Consumption of drugs or certain medications. Some illegal drugs - such as cocaine or methamphetamine - can cause fainting (and even heart attacks in some cases). Fainting is also a side effect of some medications.
5. Hypoglycemia Our brain depends on the constant supply of sugar from the blood to function properly and keep us awake. People who inject insulin or take other medications for diabetes can develop hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and faint if they overdo the dose of the medication or do not eat enough.
6. Anemia. Patients with anemia have fewer red blood cells than normal, which reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches the brain and other tissues. Girls who have very heavy menstruation or people who have iron deficiency anemia for other reasons (such as not taking enough iron in the diet) are more prone to fainting.
7. Pregnancy. During pregnancy, the body experiences many changes, including changes in the circulatory system, which can cause fainting. In addition, the body's fluid needs increase, so a pregnant woman may faint if she does not drink enough. And the uterus, as it grows, can partially compress large veins and obstruct blood flow, which can reduce cerebral blood flow.
8. Eating disorder. People with anorexia or bulimia may faint for a variety of reasons, including dehydration, hypoglycemia, and changes in blood pressure or blood circulation caused by starvation, vomiting, or excessive exercise.
9. Heart problems. Heart problems, such as heart rate abnormalities, can cause fainting. If a person faints repeatedly, especially during exercise or physical exertion, doctors may suspect a cardiac abnormality and perform tests to observe cardiac function.

Some health problems - such as seizures and a very rare type of migraine - can make it look like a person is fainting. But these health problems should not be confused with fainting and treated differently.