Is it possible to faint from holding your breath

In around a third of children who breath hold, there is a family history of breath holding. Breath holding is not caused by a health problem and will not harm your child.

It is believed that children who have breath holding spells may be more likely to faint as adolescents, and sometimes as adults. How can I help to prevent further breath-holding spells in my child? Helping your child to learn to deal with frustration, fear, and anger may help. Talk to your Maternal and Child Health Nurse for more advice on helping your child deal with fear and anger. Is my child holding his breath on purpose to get his own way, or is it out of his control?

Some children, however, may hold their breath to get their own way during a tantrum if it has proved a successful way to get what they want in the past.

Iron deficiency anaemia low red blood cell levels due to a lack of iron is more common in children who breath hold. Your doctor may want to check your child's iron levels and may start an iron supplement to try and reduce the frequency of spells. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers. To donate, visit www. This information is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your doctor or healthcare professionals. The authors of these consumer health information handouts have made a considerable effort to ensure the information is accurate, up to date and easy to understand.

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Breath-holding Spell. Is this your child's symptom? A spell that involves holding the breath, then turning blue and passing out Breath-holding spells were diagnosed by your child's doctor Symptoms of a Breath-Holding Spell An upsetting event happens right before the spell. A common trigger is being angry about parents setting limits temper tantrums. Another is getting scared. Some spells are triggered by a sudden injury, such as falling down. The child gives out 1 or 2 long cries Then holds his breath until the lips and face become bluish Then passes out and falls to the floor Then often becomes stiff.

May also have a few muscle jerks. Small studies have shown children who experience cyanotic breath-holding spells have differently functioning autonomic nervous systems the part of the nervous system which controls things like heart rate and breathing rate.

They have higher resting-heart rate and blood pressure, and pupils that have an exaggerated response to light in certain conditions these things are not dangerous for children. Although breath-holding spells can be very scary — particularly the first time — they are not cause for concern.

Parents often have two questions. The answer to both these questions is no. Iron deficiency anaemia , which can be associated with breath-holding spells, is very easily treated. Read more: 'No, I don't wanna What happens when you hold your breath? If you watched illusionist David Blaine sail via balloons into the lofty heights of commercial air space in early September, you might recall that he once held his breath for more than 17 minutes.

Does that seem safe in any way? Or even possible? In general, what happens to our bodies when we try to hold our breath? That depends on our own bodies and, obviously, the length of time we try to do it. When we hold our breath for short durations, our bodies are equipped to make short-term compensations to keep all the organs working and all the functions continuing. In a simplified sense, our bodies are made of millions of microscopic cells that are like batteries with salt solutions separated by films, or barriers.

The movement of these salts across the barriers generates charge. That energy is the essence of life that allows the cells to talk to each other and maintain all the bodily functions. When we hold out breath for long durations, oxygen levels decrease and carbon dioxide accumulates in the body.