Being in the midst of dizziness can scare us. Read the tutorial and find out how you can prevent fainting after a dizzy episode.
Steps
Step 1. Stop what you are doing
Nothing is as important as your mental health and well-being.
Step 2. Sit with your head between your legs
You will promote blood flow to the brain.
Step 3. Breathe deeply and slowly
Your brain needs oxygen, so it's important that you take long, deep breaths. Remember that you need to breathe slowly, otherwise you will hyperventilate.
Step 4. If you are not alone, communicate with others with simple nods of the head
This way you will remain alert and allow those around you to understand your needs.
Step 5. Maintain a current dialogue with yourself
Even if it takes a lot of effort to stay alert, don't stop talking to yourself.
Step 6. When the worst is over, stay seated anyway
Step 7. Get something to drink or eat, preferably containing sugar or carbohydrates
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is a common cause of dizziness. In these situations, fruit juice is a great choice.
Step 8. Raise your head slowly, if you feel the dizziness returning, bring your head back between your legs
Repeat until the vertigo is completely gone.
Step 9. Get up slowly and carefully
Accept any offer of assistance, but return to the starting position if a new dizziness occurs.
Step 10. Sip some water until all symptoms (such as cold sweats, dry mouth and nausea) are gone
Step 11. If you are indoors, look for some fresh air
Advice
- If, for some reason, it is not safe to stop what you are doing and sit down (for example because you are crossing the street), walk slowly with your head down and take deep breaths until you reach a safe place (such as a sidewalk). If your field of vision becomes narrow you are most likely going to pass out, interpret the warning sign, stop and breathe deeply until the limited vision disappears. The chances of a standing person being hit are lower than those of a person on the ground.
- The most common causes of dizziness are a lack of hydration, missing a healthy meal, and stress. The best way to prevent an episode of dizziness is therefore to drink plenty of water, eat regularly and healthily, and keep your stress levels under control.
- If you feel sick, keep a bucket close at hand in which you can throw up.
Warnings
- In case of severe dizziness (with tunnel vision, vomiting or brief episodes of fainting) seek immediate medical attention.
- If you frequently experience dizziness, talk to your doctor to look for a possible common cause.
- If your work or lifestyle is purely sedentary, your sympathetic nervous system may 'forget' the process of standing and cause dizziness on standing. Antidepressant drugs (a low dose) can alleviate the condition by relaxing the sympathetic nervous system.
