Fainting at the sight of blood is a common physical response caused by temporary drops in blood flow to the brain, not fear. Known as vasovagal syncope, it occurs when the nervous system overreacts to ...

A newly discovered pathway between the heart and brain may explain why healthy people faint. The pathway appears to carry signals from the heart's lower pumping chambers to an area of the brainstem ...

Over one million Americans faint every year, and countless more do worldwide. Fear, pain, the sight of blood or prolonged standing – think the long lines of summer travel – can trigger fainting. These ...

Picture this: you’re standing in line at the grocery store when suddenly you feel dizzy, nauseous, and before you know it, you’re waking up on the floor with concerned strangers hovering over you. If ...

“Beware of fainting-fits… though at the time they may be refreshing and agreeable, yet believe me: they will, in the end, if too often repeated and at improper seasons, prove destructive to your ...

If you’ve ever questioned whether it’s safe to drive after fainting, a new study may put you at ease. A study from the University of British Columbia’s faculty of medicine has found people who have ...

Dear Dr. Douma: I would like to know what vasovagal syncope is. And what are the causes of these seizures? -- A.K., Queens Village, N.Y. Answer: A seizure is an overexcitement of nerve cells in the ...

Laura holds a Master's in Experimental Neuroscience and a Bachelor's in Biology from Imperial College London. Her areas of expertise include health, medicine, psychology, and neuroscience. Laura holds ...

While nearly 40% of the population will faint in their lifetime, until now scientists have not known the exact mechanism at play when we experience that brief, terrifying lack of consciousness. That ...

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You may have heard that people who feel faint should sit with their heads between their knees, but is that true? And how can you tell whether you or someone else who has fainted should go to the ...