What to do if…
you faint briefly and wake up feeling confused

What to do now

1. Get safe and stay down. Lie flat if you can. If there is no obvious injury and you can do it safely, raise your legs. Loosen tight clothing around your neck or waist and avoid getting up too fast.

2. Ask someone to do a quick check. Have them check whether you are breathing normally, whether you hit your head, whether there is heavy bleeding, and whether you can speak clearly and move both sides of your body normally.

3. Call 911 now if any emergency warning sign is present. This includes not regaining consciousness within about 1 minute, not becoming alert quickly, worsening confusion, unusual behavior, trouble staying awake, chest pain or pressure, trouble breathing, a pounding or irregular heartbeat, heavy bleeding, serious injury, seizure-like shaking, loss of bowel or bladder control, trouble speaking, facial droop, one-sided weakness or numbness, new vision trouble, severe unsteadiness, or a sudden severe headache.

4. Treat head injury as higher risk. If you hit your head and have worsening confusion, a headache that gets worse, repeated vomiting, slurred speech, weakness, numbness, poor coordination, seizure-like activity, one pupil larger than the other, or trouble staying awake, call 911 or go to an Emergency Department.

5. Get medical advice today if you are not calling 911. If this was your first faint, the faint was unexplained, you woke up confused, you fainted during exercise, you fainted while lying down, you fainted more than once, or you have diabetes or possible low blood sugar, contact a primary care clinician, urgent care, or an Emergency Department for same-day guidance.

6. Avoid another fall while you wait. Stay seated or lying down, keep your phone near you, and ask someone to stay with you or check in. If you are alone and worried you may need emergency help, consider unlocking your door only if it feels safe.

7. Write down the basics for the clinician. Note the time, what you were doing, whether you had warning symptoms, whether you hit your head, how long you seemed out, how confused you were afterward, and any witness details such as shaking, pale skin, trouble waking, or unusual behavior.

8. If you have diabetes or suspect low blood sugar, follow your plan. Check your glucose if you can do so safely. If you cannot safely eat or drink, cannot check your glucose, or confusion continues, get urgent medical help.