Passing Out

If you're feeling faint, should you put your head between your knees? Not if you can do this instead...

If your feeling dizzy, or like you're about to pass out, lie down if you can, right away. A lot of people think they should put their head between their knees, which is a good option if there is absolutely no room to lie down. Fainting is usually caused by a lack of blood flow to the brain, and when we lie down, we get our head on the same level as our heart. The symptoms should usually pass in a minute or so.

In otherwise healthy people, fainting isn't a huge cause for alarm. Teens, especially between the ages of 8 and 18 often experience dizzy spells and fainting due to changes in the nervous system. Common triggers are hot showers, standing in one position for too long, or stressful situations. If it happens more than rarely, or if the trigger isn't obvious, then you should seek medical attention.

Sources: Mayo Clinic, Teens Health