What to do if you pass out and hit your head?

Call 911 or the local emergency number right away if:
  1. There is severe head or face bleeding.
  2. The person is confused, tired, or unconscious.
  3. The person stops breathing.
  4. You suspect a serious head or neck injury, or the person develops any signs or symptoms of a serious head injury.


What to watch for after fainting and hitting head?

Concussion Danger Signs
  • One pupil larger than the other.
  • Drowsiness or inability to wake up.
  • A headache that gets worse and does not go away.
  • Slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination.
  • Repeated vomiting or nausea, convulsions or seizures (shaking or twitching).


How do I know if I hit my head after fainting?

Severe dizziness or feeling lightheaded. Progressively worsening headache. Double or blurry vision. Numbness or weakness in the arms or legs.


What happens when you hit your head so hard you pass out?

The heaviest part of the brain puts a lot of pressure on the brainstem, which can be twisted and pulled during the blow as the rest of the brain moves out of place. That twisting and pulling can cause brain circuits to break, or lose their insulation, or get kinked up, and that shuts off parts of the brain.

Should I go to the hospital if I fainted and hit my head?

Anyone who has just sustained an impact to the head should immediately seek emergency medical care by calling 911 or visiting an emergency room if they experience any of the following symptoms: Loss of consciousness.


Signs To Look For After Head Trauma, According To A Doctor



What to do after you pass out?

Most people will recover quickly after fainting once they lie down as more blood flows to the brain. It also helps to loosen any constrictive clothing. After they wake up, have them stay lying down or sitting for a while longer until they're feeling better. Give them water to help them stay hydrated.

How long should you monitor after hitting your head?

After experiencing concussion, careful monitoring is needed. This is usually for 48 hours. This is because the symptoms of concussion could also be symptoms of a more serious condition, such as: subdural haematoma – bleeding between the skull and the brain.

Should you get checked out after fainting?

More often than not, fainting will not lead to a diagnosis of a serious medical condition, but it is always best to call your doctor and get checked out. Your doctor will go over your medical history and perform a physical exam.


What is the difference between fainting and passing out?

Some people use the terms blackout and fainting interchangeably, but they are two different things. A blackout is a loss of memory. Fainting, also called passing out, is a loss of consciousness. Both of these can have several different causes.

How long should you lay down after fainting?

Lie Down: Lie down flat with the feet up for 10 minutes. Reason: This will increase blood flow to the brain. Simple fainting is due to a sudden drop in blood flow to the brain.

How long do you stay passed out after fainting?

Most people who faint stay out a few seconds to less than a minute. If the person is unconscious for a longer time, call 911.


What not to do when someone faints?

You should never, for instance:
  1. Slap someone who has fainted.
  2. Shake someone who was fainted.
  3. Throw water on them.
  4. Shout at them.
  5. Attempt to move them.
  6. Place a pillow under their head.
  7. Make them sit or stand up.


Does lying down help fainting?

If you think you're going to faint, you can try to stop it by taking these steps: If possible, lie down. This can help prevent a fainting episode, as it lets blood get to the brain. Be sure to stand up again slowly when you feel better — move to a sitting position for several minutes first, then to standing.

What position if someone faints?

lie down with your legs raised – if you cannot do this, then sit with your head lowered between your knees. drink some water. eat something. take some deep breaths.


Does your heart stop when you faint?

The heart rate may slow dramatically at the time of the faint, and the blood vessels (mainly the veins) in the body expand, causing blood to pool in the lower extremities and the bowels, resulting in less blood return to the heart and a low blood pressure (hypotension).

Can fainting damage your brain?

If the brain is starved of oxygen for more than a minute or two it is irreversibly damaged. While fainting carries the risk of hitting your head, evolution has judged a potential knock to be less dangerous than the threat of oxygen starvation.

What happens to your brain when you faint?

The heart slows down and pumps less blood, so blood pressure drops. Then the brain doesn't get enough oxygenated blood, and the person faints.


Do you always wake up after fainting?

A person should wake up and be alert less than 1 minute after fainting. They should feel normal within 10 minutes after fainting. If the person does not wake up within 1 minute, it is not just a fainting spell.

Are you OK after fainting?

Most fainting will pass quickly and won't be serious. Usually, a fainting episode will only last a few seconds, although it will make the person feel unwell and recovery may take several minutes. If a person doesn't recover quickly, always seek urgent medical attention.

How do you wake someone up after passing out?

Try to wake them up
  1. Call their name.
  2. Shake their shoulders.
  3. Pinch them — hard.
  4. Rub their sternum with your knuckles.


Is fainting a form of shock?

Fainting from an emotional shock is iconic, especially for females. Fear and other stressful emotional states that provoke a similar shock response in the cardiovascular system that occurs after traumatic injury will cause fainting. Some people faint at the sight of blood, for example.

Why would a person suddenly pass out?

Fainting usually is caused by a temporary drop in blood pressure. During that brief drop, the brain does not get the blood flow that it needs—and you lose consciousness.

Do you close your eyes when you faint?

Your eyes will usually stay open. Orthostatic hypotension: this is a fall in blood pressure on standing up, which can cause fainting. It can occur: Due to medication prescribed to lower blood pressure.


Does drinking water help with fainting?

Staying well hydrated is an effective way of preventing fainting spells. This means drinking at least 2.5 to 3 litres of fluid per day. You may need to drink more fluid in hot weather, prior to exercise, or if you are unwell with fever, vomiting, or diarrhoea.

How long can you be unconscious after hitting your head?

Grade I: no loss of consciousness; amnesia is absent or present for less than 30 minutes. Grade II: loss of consciousness for less than five minutes or amnesia for between 30 minutes and 24 hours. Grade III: loss of consciousness for more than five minutes or amnesia for more than 24 hours.