Patients who feel faint should lie down immediately if possible. If lying down is not possible, they should sit down with their head between their knees, which will help force blood back to the brain.

If a person observes someone else fainting, several steps should be taken to aid the patient. These include:

• Place the patient so they are lying on the back. Legs should be elevated above the level of the heart.
  
  
• Watch the airway carefully. People who lose consciousness may vomit.
  
  
• Check breathing. Position an ear over the patient’s mouth and listen for breathing sounds. If breathing cannot be heard, dial 911 immediately and then initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR, a technique designed to temporarily circulate oxygenated blood by chest compression and assisted breathing).
  
  
• Help restore blood flow. If the person is still breathing, elevate the legs above the level of the head. Loosen belts, collars and other clothing that may constrict breathing. If the person does not revive within two minutes, dial 911.
  
  
• Provide other aid as needed. Attend to any bumps, bruises or cuts suffered in a fall associated with fainting.

In some cases, fainting requires an emergency medical response. Call 911 if the patient fell from a height, does not regain consciousness quickly, is pregnant, is over 50 years old, or has diabetes. Symptoms that require a 911 response include:

• Chest pain, pressure or discomfort
• Convulsions
• Inability to move one or more limbs
• Loss of bowel control
• Loss of speech
• Pounding or irregular heartbeat
• Tongue trauma
• Visual disturbances

Fainting cannot always be prevented. However, patients can take various steps to help reduce the likelihood of fainting episodes by avoiding any triggers that have caused fainting in the past. In addition, eating regularly and drinking plenty of water can help keep blood pressure from dropping while also helping minimize blood pressure changes that occur due to shifts in body position.

The likelihood of fainting may also be reduced by rising slowly from a lying or sitting to a standing position. This gives the body time to adjust to position changes.

In addition, new research shows that fainting spells may be reduced or alleviated in some individuals by practicing a group of simple muscle-tensing exercises.