My niece is 40 yrs old, ex smoker (5 years or so) non drinker who is slim, as a matter of fact has always had trouble gaining weight. She has 3 children and works in child care full time. She suffers from a condition called Stargardts disease (macular degeneration). She has asthma and has had pneumonia in the past 3 years or so. She got out of bed two nights ago, greeted her son who had just arrived home, went to the fridge to get a drink, turned out the kitchen light and fainted. She said that she had only fainted once before (during her second pregnancy) and she felt it coming but this time she had absolutely no warning at all. She went straight back to bed and noted that she was sweating profusely all over her body from head to toe. She did remark to me a few days prior, that she has been tired of late. My mother (my nieces maternal grandmother) died from a brain tumour at the age of 35 and my brother and father (her uncle and grandfather) both died from massive heart attacks. My brother was only 39 but he was a chronic alcoholic. My father was 68 when he died. My second brother died at age 45 from diabetic shock. He was also a chronic alcoholic though. My niece s father died last year from liver cancer, her mother ( my sister) is a very healthy 62 year old, not on any medication. Her doctor is sending her for blood tests, an ECG and a CAT Scan. She is obviously worried about Cancer and Heart disease. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thank you, Karen Walker.
Hi welcome to ChatDoctorI have gone through your query regarding your niece s fainting spell with profuse sweating.  I can understand your concern for that. Dear Karen. I have gone through the history of sufferings of your family.  I don't think sufferings of your niece have any concern with their sufferings .  For your info, Her own multiple troubles are sufficient for her weak immunity leading to further sufferings as any ones weak immune system is responsible for one's health problem. For your info, Fainting is caused by multiple factors HBP/LOW BP, Low /high Sugar in blood, Worry, Anxiety, Heat exhaustion, Deny Chat Doctor.  Fainting results from inadequate energy substrate delivery to the brain. The major energy substrates are oxygen and glucose. To be healthy you have to strengthen your immune system by modifying your lifestyle and food habits. Right things at right time Include essential nutrients - Vitamins, minerals antioxidants in natural form, - fresh, veges, fruit, fiber, Aloe vera, lemon juice , ginger, garlic Eat flax seed, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, may experience decrease in headaches. Due to anti-inflammatory properties of the omega-3 fatty acids. Antioxidants like turmeric powder in a cup of hot milk, and You should take care to include balanced diet to remain healthy and for proper blood circulation do exercise, yoga, Panama & meditation regularly as usually reduce smoking gradually.  That will be the best way to a healthy living Inhaling the scent of peppermint oil or lavender oil may help alley fainting tendency & decrease headache. Learning to identify stressful situations which trigger headache and taking steps to avoid This is also a useful strategy Adequate diet intake helps to achieve better results. Avoiding fried, fast foods made of fine floor, too much of tea coffee, alcohol, smoking, anger, stress all create toxins, imbalance your system causing gas & other digestive problems. If problem persists, thorough check up is advised in time, so that early treatment can be started. Hope this helps solve your query Take care All the best.