A person of any age can have syncope, which means fainting or passing out.  It is a special concern in the elderly because of numerous underlying problems. Syncope is a fairly common: people pass put at least once in their lives. Still, it is always a potentially serious problem. Syncope can also be a sign of a serious medical problem.

Syncope, a loss of consciousness and postural tone, occurs when the blood flow to the brain is reduced for a few seconds. The brain’s blood flow can be interrupted for many different reasons, such as getting up from a chair too fast or facing the bright sun all of a sudden.

Additional Causes:

1. Medications or drugs, including those for high blood pressure, antidepressants and those that affect mental status
2. Losing too much fluid from dehydrating, vomiting or diarrhea
3. Low blood sugar with diabetes
4. Straining when going to the bathroom
5. Arteries becoming hard, thus reducing blood flow through the brain
6. Irregular heartbeat and blood flow
7. Emotional conditions such as fear, stress, injury, illness and seeing blood

There are many signs and symptoms of syncope. A person having syncope is unaware that he or she has passed out and fallen to the ground. The person will only know after he or she gains consciousness.

Symptoms Before the Syncope Episode:

1. Lightheaded, nauseated, sweaty or weak
2. Feeling of dizziness or vertigo
3. Blurred or faded vision
4. Muffled hearing and tingling sensations in the body
5. Chest or stomach pain
6. Abnormal heartbeat

Care of Syncope:

1. If possible, contact your doctor right away to talk about what happened. If you cannot get up and start feeling worse, ask for an ambulance.
2. If you have diabetes, always check your blood sugar regularly. If it is lower than 70, consume something sweet. If it is over 300, contact your doctor.
3. Always check your blood pressure and make sure it stays within the 100-170 range. If it goes above or below, call your doctor.
4. Drink extra fluid no matter where you are.
5. Lie down until you feel normal.
6. If you are elderly or witness syncope in an elderly person, contact the ambulance.

Normally, after a syncopal episode, there should be a quick return to normal. There may be other signs and symptoms, depending upon the underlying causes of the faint.

Source: http://www.medicinenet.com/fainting