US Medical Term · symptoms
Fainting
Desmayo
Also: Síncope (regional variant)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Fainting |
| Spanish (Español) | Desmayo |
| Chinese (中文) | 昏厥 |
| Korean (한국어) | 실신 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Ngất xỉu |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Pagkahimatay |
| Portuguese (Português) | Desmaio |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | เป็นลม |
| Japanese (日本語) | 失神 |
What it means
Fainting (syncope) is a sudden, brief loss of consciousness caused by a temporary drop in blood flow to the brain. You may feel lightheaded, sweaty, or nauseated just before passing out. Common causes include standing up too fast, dehydration, emotional stress, heart rhythm problems, or low blood sugar. Most episodes are harmless and resolve quickly. However, call 911 if someone does not wake up within a minute, if fainting follows chest pain or palpitations, if the person is pregnant, or if episodes recur without a known cause. Place an unconscious person on their side if breathing.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
I fainted and woke up on the floor; I am not sure how long I was unconscious.
Me desmayé y desperté en el piso; no sé por cuánto tiempo estuve inconsciente.
I feel like I am about to faint — I am very dizzy and sweating.
Siento que estoy a punto de desmayarme; estoy muy mareado y sudando.
This is the second time I have fainted this month without a clear reason.
Esta es la segunda vez que me desmayo este mes sin una razón clara.
Where you'll see it
Related ICD-10-CM category
R55 Syncope and collapseRelated terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026