Index
Syncope is the medical term for fainting.
This occurs when the brain does not receive enough blood flow and consciousness is lost. Usually, a slow heart rate causes a drop in blood pressure, reducing blood flow to the brain.
In most cases of Sincope, those who suffer it recover in a matter of seconds or minutes. A small number of people, mostly the elderly, have fainting episodes.
If you have trouble speaking or have difficulty moving your arm or leg after fainting, you should call for emergency help immediately. This can be a sign of a stroke.
Signs and symptoms of Syncope
- Dizziness.
- Warmth sensation.
- Blurry vision.
- Perspiration.
- Heaviness in the legs.
- Confusion.
- Nausea and sometimes vomiting.
In addition to losing consciousness when you faint, you can also submit:
- Pallor.
- Drop.
- Have spasmodic shaking of your body.
- Have a weak pulse
- The experience of a fall in blood pressure
What causes it?
Fainting often occurs due to a simple cause, such as:
- Standing for long periods of time.
- Feeling emotionally distressed
In rare cases, it may be the result of a health condition, such as:
- Heart disease (decreased blood flow to the heart or irregular heartbeat).
- Low blood sugar
- Panic attack.
- Problems that regulate blood pressure.
- Severe blood loss
Who is at greater risk of suffering from Syncope?
- Over 65 years of age.
- Having heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure.
- The use of recreational drugs.
- Take certain medications, such as blood pressure, insulin, oral medications for diabetes, diuretics, medications to control heart rhythm, or blood thinners.
- Pregnancy.
- The smokers.
What would your doctor ask you?
You should consult your doctor after fainting, who will ask you the following questions:
- What was he doing before fainting?
- How he felt next.
- You will have a physical exam.
- He will perform other tests, such as blood tests and electrocardiogram (ECG).
- I will send you an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
- It will focus on the medications you take.
- Consider the pre-existing medical conditions you may have.
- Compare your most recent fainting with similar episodes you had in the past.
- This will help your doctor identify why you passed out and rule out certain health conditions. If seizures are suspected, your doctor may also do an electroencephalogram (EEG) test.
Treatment for Syncope
- Avoid fatigue, hunger, and stress.
- Do not skip meals.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Avoid changing positions quickly, especially when you get up after sitting or lying down.
- Sleep with the feet of your bed elevated.
- Do not stand for long periods of time.
- Wear elastic stockings if necessary to prevent blood from accumulating in the legs.
- Diuretics and other medications (both prescription and over-the-counter) can contribute to the problem. So check with your doctor.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
Any severe underlying health condition should be treated when a person faints:
- Elevate the legs to help increase the flow of blood to the brain.
- Loosen any tight clothing.
- Apply cold water to the face of the person.
- Turn the person’s head to the side to avoid vomiting or suffocation.
- A pregnant woman should lie on her left side to relieve pressure on the heart.
