What is the cause of blacking out and feeling light-headed?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am an 18 year old girl and recently I have had trouble with conscious blacking out. The first time it happened was this month, and I have not had any trouble until a few days ago where it happened three to four times in one day. I will be standing or just walking around and start to feel light-headed and my eyes, although being wide open, will go completely black and will stay that way for minutes. All the while, I simultaneously lose my hearing and ability to support my body weight. My ears ring very badly and everything sounds like my ears are plugged up and my legs will give out. I stay coherent throughout the whole thing. I do not know what causes this and it does not happen often but it is worrying me.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

This is fainting. I need to know some more information regarding the symptoms. Has it followed some kind of stress, dehydration, prolonged standing especially in hot weather, panic, fear or pain? Because it is common for fainting to follow all these events, and it is called as vasovagal syncope or fainting. However, if not, then we need to rule out cardiac cause like arrhythmias, as it may cause these episodes due to decreased blood supply to the brain, mostly due to abnormalities in the heart rate. Did you have any palpitations, just prior to episodes?

You should get one ECG (electrocardiogram) done and if not informative then, you will need Holter monitoring done. If possible, try to get an ECG done or at least measure your pulse rate during the episode. Also, get your blood pressure checked once.

In treatment, it is important you protect yourself during the episodes. You should quickly get to a safe place and lie down or sit for a few minutes. Have some fluids after that. Increase your fluid intake in general, avoid dehydration, prolonged fasting, and smoking, alcohol or drugs, if any.

Hope this helps you and get back if you have any doubts.