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Thinking of skipping breakfast? Don’t do it. Your body needs the salt and sugar to keep you standing up. In fact, if you keep your blood pressure and glucose levels stable, barring any other outlying physical condition, syncope (fainting) is hopefully completely avoidable. To keep your body working normally, all you may have to do is eat (and drink) regularly. That said, some people do suffer from postprandial hypotension, which can lead to fainting. That’s a fancy word for your blood pressure dropping after you eat too much. Your blood starts congregating in and around your stomach, leaving none for your heart and brain – the perfect recipe for a fainting spell. If this sounds familiar, it might help to eat frequent, low-carbohydrate meals. Eat regularly, but don’t eat too much at one time. Another reason some people experience fainting spells is because they’re overly fatigued. It could be because you’re not sleeping enough or you exercise too much – both states can affect your blood pressure and get your body off-kilter. If you’re exercising too much, you may not be getting enough liquids either (you’re sweating them all out). Make doubly sure you drink plenty if this describes you. Between dehydration and overexertion, you could be asking for trouble. Some people have triggers when it comes to fainting, and it doesn’t take fainting too many times to figure out what that trigger is. If you know what causes you stress and makes you anxious, avoiding it may be all you have to do. Needles, blood, and even more personal topics can bring about the urge to faint. The heart starts pumping profusely, you start sweating, your breathing changes, and all of a sudden you’re down for the count. Can you think of any possible triggers for the way you’re feeling? Heat is another culprit when it comes to fainting. It can dehydrate your body, shut down your systems, and spell disaster for vertical consciousness. If you’re in a stuffy, overheated, or crowded room, you may just have to leave. The fresh air will awaken your senses, your blood pressure will rise, and you’ll be back to normal before you know it. Crowds don't generally help. If you know you're going to be in a crowded, stuffy area, prepare by eating a good breakfast, wearing light clothing, bringing a snack, and always knowing where the nearest exit is should you need it. In addition to caffeinated beverages, alcohol should also make the “avoid” list if you’re worried about fainting. It, too, is dehydrating, can lower your blood pressure, and send you to the ground. If you do drink alcohol, stick to one drink a day. And if you haven’t eaten or drunk much that day, be sure to combine that drink with some food and other non-alcoholic beverage. If you have ever watched a military event where soldiers stand for long periods, usually one or two end up fainting. It’s not locking the knees as such that causes faintness, but the immobilization of the leg muscles.  You might try a technique called “tilt training,” which involves training your muscles over the course of weeks to combat the urge. You simply stand with your back and head against a wall with your heels about 6 inches (15 cm) out from it. Do this for about 5 minutes every other day. Slowly increase the time up to 20-minute sessions. It sounds simple, but this stance can help uncross the wires in your brain (the vagus nerve) that lead to fainting.
Eat regularly. Avoid excess fatigue. Keep your stress and anxiety to a minimum. Stay in comfortable, cool environments. Avoid alcohol. Don’t lock your knees.