Why do people faint when they stand to long?

Question

Like at a wedding or some long standing thing that you have to do. I've been watching AFV and see poeple at weddings faint. Why? Is it because there bored or something? Or what!?

Answer 1

I was a bridesmaid once at a wedding and I fainted while they were exchanging the rings. With so much excitement going on the day before the wedding, I didn't have time to get much sleep. We were up late boxing the cake slices for the guests and getting decorations ready. Plus in the morning, we had to wake up early for hair and make-up. By the time the wedding rolled around, I was exhausted and felt myself getting warm. Before I knew it, I had fainted but I was fully aware of what was going on around me. I tried to lean on the bridesmaid next to me before I fell but I missed. While I was on the floor, I heard a few people gasp and tell the minister to continue with the ceremony while they helped me. I also remember thinking, "wow, I can finally get some sleep. Maybe no one will notice me here." There was also a man with terrible breathe prepared to give me mouth to mouth and I prayed that he wouldn't put his stinky mouth anywhere close to me. Just as I falling deeper into my fainting spell, I heard my mother's voice telling me to wake up and slapping me. I just woke up and cried in embarrassment.

Lesson learned, make sure you get enough rest and stay hydrated before the ceremony. Be prepared to stand for awhile so maybe decorate chairs for the bride, groom and their parties to sit in as the ceremony goes on.

Best of luck!

Answer 2

Feeling Faint When Standing

Answer 3

Some people have various physiologies that make them prone to fainting. Just because you don't have that physiology, you can't assume that it doesn't exist. Some causes are:

1- Low blood pressure
2- Circulatory system that is less than optimal (orthostatic intolerance)
3- Empathetic system where emotions provoke transitory physical symptoms (vasovagal syncope)

Not eating, being dehydrated, and getting over warm will exasperate these conditions and even cause fainting in someone not so prone to fainting, but that doesn't mean that fainting is always preventable. That said, once you know yourself, you can take steps.

At Sunday Mass, I don't always stand all the time. I feel a bit guilty for sitting for a minute here and there, but we'd all feel much more uncomfortable if I fainted, something I used to do. When I have to give a presentation to a large group, I insist on a stool If there isn't one, I sometimes hop up and sit on a table and cross my ankles. I deliver these presentations in a conversational manner. Folks think it's my style. It is, but it is one born out of necessity.

Answer 4

There are actually a couple of different reasons why people may faint after standing for long periods of time. One of the major things is if people lock their knees. I know that is one of the first things they teach you in choir, band, and the military. You learn how to stand without locking their knees.

Another reason people could faint after standing for awhile is that they have not eaten. With the lack of food, a persons blood sugar has a tendency to dip and therefore, your body has to react in some way and usually that is when you faint.

I hope this helps.

Answer 5

Do you feel this way when standing in the same spot? If you feel this way when standing at attention or standing still it is because you are locking your knees which in turn cuts circulation of blood. I have seen guys fall out during dress inspection doing this. I hope this can help you and good luck.

Answer 6

Not bored, just stupid.

You will notice most people are standing for a long time. Gravity is the cause, not being tired, or anything else. Well ok STUPID is still in there.

Here is what happens.....AND what you can do to avoid it.

Locked knees.

IE they are standing erect. Knees locked. Never shifting weight.

ANYONE will pass out if they stand erect wtih knees locked and not moving much if at all. The trick is to have a slight bend in your knees and allow your weight to shift from one leg to the other. This can be done without notice, try it. Stand up and without leaning shift from one leg to the other to support the bulk of your weight.

All those people need to do is bend their knees a bit.

Some of them go to a higher degree of stupidity. Drunk or such. but in normaly everyday situations, it is simply a matter of bending their knees.

Answer 7

No, it has nothing to do with boredom. :-) It comes from locking their knees. They always warned against that in my choir, as we stood in one place for a long time during that, too.

This is from the Penn State Children's Hospital Website (so ignore the reference to children and apply it to everyone):

If your child must stand for long periods of time, make sure he or she knows to relax the leg muscles rather than keeping the knees locked. This will maintain the flow of blood to the brain.

Answer 8

What the person who answered your question first said is not true. Gravity causes the blood to be drawn downwards, leaving your brain undernourished and causing lack of oxygen there. That is the real reason for fainting.

Answer 9

Fainting is from locking your knees. Blood can't get to the brain fast enough and the person becomes overheated and falls.

Answer 10

if you have very low blood pressure, this can sometimes be aggrevated by standing for too long and your veins will kind of collapse under certain conditions (especially if you havent been eating or drinking lately)