Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Lately I’ve Been Blacking Out But Not Fainting Every Time
Question: Lately I’ve been blacking out but not fainting every time I stand up. I get really dizzy and everything goes black for a few seconds. I was so dizzy when I woke up this morning I had to hold on to the bed so I didn’t fall over when I sat up. My feet are always freezing, it’s 95° out and 72° inside my house, I wear socks to keep my feet warm but it doesn’t help at all. Also, every once in a while I’ll get a very sharp pain in my chest that lasts for maybe 10 seconds. I’m just wondering if I need to see a physician or if all of this is normal. For reference, I’m a 23 year old female with no health conditions.
Brief Answer:
Autonomic instability, need to see a physician
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for using the Ask a Doctor service.
I have gone through your query and understand your concerns. You are suffering from postural hypotension (when the BP falls on change of posture i.e. on getting up), thus leading to your blackout like sensations. This in turn, is due to autonomic instability (less than proper functioning of the part of nervous system that controls the functioning of internal organs), thus leading to peripheral vasoconstriction (shrunken blood vessels over the hands and feet), thus leading to your freezing feet.
This is not normal and you definitely need to see a physician.
Regards
Autonomic instability, need to see a physician
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for using the Ask a Doctor service.
I have gone through your query and understand your concerns. You are suffering from postural hypotension (when the BP falls on change of posture i.e. on getting up), thus leading to your blackout like sensations. This in turn, is due to autonomic instability (less than proper functioning of the part of nervous system that controls the functioning of internal organs), thus leading to peripheral vasoconstriction (shrunken blood vessels over the hands and feet), thus leading to your freezing feet.
This is not normal and you definitely need to see a physician.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
what is peripheral vascoconstriction?
Brief Answer:
Explanation provided
Detailed Answer:
When you place your hand in ice, your blood vessels constrict. This is peripheral vasoconstriction. Peripheral refers to non-central location. This response is coordinated by the autonomic nervous system. The problem seems to lie there. I hope that the explanation is clear.
Regards
Explanation provided
Detailed Answer:
When you place your hand in ice, your blood vessels constrict. This is peripheral vasoconstriction. Peripheral refers to non-central location. This response is coordinated by the autonomic nervous system. The problem seems to lie there. I hope that the explanation is clear.
Regards
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
