Unexplained Fainting

[Caitlin16]

So, I'm 16 years old and I faint. I usually get dizzy, my vission goes blurry then dark and I studder my words when the "attack" is happening, then I fall to the floor.. This happened once over the summer and it felt as if my head kept banging against the floor. I could see out of the top of my eyes as if i was looking up. Weird thing is, I felt as if i was  thinking but I couldn't move or talk or move my eyes.. The "attack" lasted about a minute and I could get up. When i experience the dizzines my pupils tend to get larger. To the point where it happend at school and I was taken to the sick room and they asked about drugs,  ( which I'm not on). I was told I am anemic, low iron. about a year ago. And thats the only thing that is wrong with me that they know about. I had  two E.C.G's and both were fine, same with the blood test. They put me on a heart monitor and that was also fine.  I was wondering what this may be, and should they be looking else where?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

The symptoms that you are having are all the symptoms of anemia.I sincerely advise you to get your Hb and serum ferritin levels estimated and take some iron supplements for some days.Also eat healthy,nutritious diet consisting of green leafy vegetables.It is important to rule out anemia because anemia can lead to other complications also.

If the symptoms persist then pls consult a physician.EEG may be needed to rule out epilepsy which is the second possibility.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional doubts.

[Nannersone]

That used to happen to me a LOT when I was your age. I was tall and thin, and didn't drink enough fluids to keep from being dehydrated. I'd also go long periods without eating. Any of those can cause you to have fainting episodes. I was also really bad about feeling faint if I stood up too quickly from having been laying down or sitting.  It went away by the time I was in my early twenties.

I was told, by several different professionals, that it's not all that uncommon. Annoying as heck, though, when it's happening to you!