health

Fainting, also known as syncope (SING-ko-pee), is a brief loss of consciousness
caused by a temporary drop in the flow of oxygen-carrying
blood to the brain. Without enough oxygen, brain processes slow down,
and the person may pass out briefly. The sudden drop in blood flow can
occur for several reasons, including an irregular heart rate or rhythm, a
dip in blood pressure, or the pooling of blood in the legs usually after a
prolonged period of standing. Although fainting can be scary and embarrassing,
it usually is not a cause for panic. Healthy people sometimes faint
when they are extremely tired, get bad news, or see something upsetting.
In other cases, however, fainting may be a sign of a more serious medical
condition.