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When Fainting is Fatal

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Added to Videos on Mon 01/18/2010

Dr. Oz discusses why this common medical symptom can be fatal. Learn to distinguish when fainting is caused by low blood sugar as opposed to atrial fibrillation.                          

 

What to do when someone faints:

  1. Elevate legs to pump blood to the brain
  2. Give them sugar (either a sugar cube or candy) for them to dissolve under the tongue. Do NOT give them water as they could aspirate given their position.

Common causes of fainting:

  1. Low blood sugar
  2. Atrial fibrillation

Solutions:

  1. Avoid low blood sugar
  2. Pacemaker