Medical

What is syncope; Symptoms, Causes, Treatments

Syncope is also known as fainting or anesthesia in the medical field. Reduced blood flow to the brain may cause this complication, resulting in loss of consciousness and muscle control. As a result of falling, blood flow to the brain increases, and the person regains consciousness. It’s more common than you think. Syncope can affect anyone at any age. We suggest you read this article and become familiar with syncope in order to prevent it and prepare before it occurs.

syncope

Syncope – what is it?

The medical term syncope refers to fainting or anesthesia caused by reduced blood flow to the brain. The following conditions may lead to this complication:

Blood pressure drops suddenly;

Heart rate decreased;

Different parts of the body have different amounts of blood.

It is likely that you will regain consciousness very quickly, but you may feel confused at first.

At least once in their lives, 3% of men and 3.5% of women experience syncope. Age increases the risk of developing the disease. As an example, 6% of people over 75 become infected. Whether you are healthy or sick, syncope can occur at any age.

Syncope types

Different factors cause different types of this complication.

Syncope of the vasovagal system

Vasovagal syncope occurs when your body reacts to certain stimuli. Some people experience syncope, also called neurocardiogenic syncope, when they see blood or experience severe emotional distress.

The stimuli cause your blood pressure and heart rate to drop suddenly in vasovagal syncope. Blood flow to the brain is reduced, and you temporarily lose consciousness as a result. Syncope of this type is safe and does not require treatment, but you can be injured.

When this condition occurs, the autonomic nervous system is disrupted, resulting in a slowed heart rate and dilated blood vessels in the legs. By reducing blood flow to the brain, you lose weight by sending blood to the legs. Vasovagal syncope can be caused by the following stimuli:

  • The longest standing;

  • Exposure to high temperatures;

  • The sight of blood.

  • Donation of blood for testing or donation;

  • The fear of bodily harm;

  • The act of putting pressure on the body.

Syncope in a particular situation

Vasovagal syncope is a type of situational syncope. In certain situations that affect the nervous system, such as:

  • Insufficiency of water;

  • Emotional stress;

  • Anxiety;

  • The fear;

  • The pain;

  • Hunger;

  • Alcohol or drug use;

  • Breathing very fast;

  • Forced cough and neck rotation;

  • Urinate

A body condition can cause syncope

A change in posture, such as lying down while standing, can cause this type of syncope. This complication can also be caused by some medications and dehydration. In a standing position, patients with this complication often drop their systolic blood pressure by at least 20 mm Hg and their diastolic blood pressure by at least 10 mm Hg.

Syncope of the heart

Cardiovascular disease causes cardiac syncope, which affects blood flow to the brain. An abnormal heartbeat or abnormal blood flow can cause this condition, which may include:

  • Heart structure defects;

  • Artery;

  • Heart valve disease;

  • Aortic stenosis;

  • Clot;

  • Heart attack.

Syncope

Neurological diseases such as seizures, strokes, or transient ischemic attacks can cause this complication. Even if a person’s blood pressure is normal, rare conditions such as migraines and hydrocephalus can cause brain syncope.

One-third of patients with syncope have no idea what caused it. Some medications can also increase the risk of syncope.

Syncope symptoms

Syncope is characterized by the following symptoms:

  • Anesthesia;

  • Feeling weird;

  • Falling for no reason;

  • Dizziness;

  • Tired and lazy;

  • Fainting, especially after eating or exercising;

  • Feeling of instability or weakness when standing;

  • Change in vision, like seeing a point.

Often, patients can already feel syncope. Syncope warning signs include:

  • Confused;

  • Nausea;

  • Heartbeat;t;

  • Speech disorder;

  • Weak pulse;

  • Change in body temperature;

  • Cold sweat;

  • Paleness;

  • Narrow or dilated pupils;

  • Feeling distant sounds;

  • Numb;b;

  • Dizziness;

  • Feeling the rotation of the room;

  • Body weakness;

  • Tremble;

If you notice these symptoms, you can prevent them by sitting or lying down and placing your feet above the syncope.

When you faint or syncope, what should you do?

As soon as you feel the symptoms of this complication, stop working and sit or lie down. Maintain a level body and keep your feet above your head. Syncope is prevented by returning blood to the brain. Whether you faint, sit or lie down, you will not suffer head injuries if you fall.

If this feeling persists or if you feel faint often, contact your doctor. Ask someone else to drive you to the doctor if you need to see one. When you have syncope symptoms, driving can be dangerous.

Supporting someone with syncope

Whenever you feel someone around you is about to faint, help them sit or lay down. Also, loosen clothing that interferes with breathing, such as a scarf or tie.

If someone has syncope in your presence and does not regain consciousness after two minutes, call 911. Turn the person to the side and make sure they are breathing while waiting for medical help. Until the emergency arrives, please do not leave him alone.

What is the best time to see a doctor?

Fainting is not usually a sign of a severe complication, but it is always a good idea to notify your doctor if you experience syncope. You can consult your doctor if necessary after this complication occurs. You should see a doctor in this case.

  • More than once, you fainted;

  • The anesthesia lasted more than two minutes.

  • You may be pregnant.

  • When you faint, you lose control of your bladder or intestines;

  • If your heartbeat is irregular or powerful,

  • There is pain in your chest;

  • A history of heart disease, high or low blood pressure, or diabetes.

What is the diagnosis of syncope?

Your doctor will refer you to a syncope specialist if you have syncope. An assessment of the disease begins with a review of your medical history and physical examination. Syncope symptoms, including those before and during fainting, will be discussed with your doctor in detail.

You may need to perform one or more tests to determine the cause of syncope. The tests look like this:

  • Heart health;

  • Heartbeat;

  • Blood volume;

  • Blood flow in different situations.

Syncope tests that may be prescribed

  • Anemia and metabolic changes are checked by a blood test;

  • An electrocardiogram (EKG) is used to study the neural activity of the heart.

  • Testing the heart’s neural activity during exercise with an electrocardiogram;

  • A portable heart monitor measures the heartbeat and rhythm in the body.

  • An echocardiogram is a high-frequency sound wave image of the heart’s structure.

  • Lie on a leaning bed and measure your blood pressure and heart rate;

  • Measure the amount of blood based on the gender, height, and weight of the patient.

  • Involuntary reactions test: Measures reactions such as blood pressure, blood flow, heart rate, skin temperature, and sweating. This will ensure that your autonomic nervous system is functioning properly.

The doctor can determine the cause of syncope by performing these tests. Your doctor may recommend other tests.

Treatment of syncope

Syncope treatment depends on the disease, which will be determined after the doctor evaluates and tests the patient. Treatment aims to prevent syncope. Treatments include:

  • You are taking medication or changing the medication you are taking;

  • To improve blood circulation, wear unique clothing, such as tight socks;

  • Eat small, frequent meals, consume more salt, drink more fluids, increase your dietary potassium, and avoid caffeine and alcohol.

  • Use extra pillows or expand the bed’s base to raise your head while yosleep.p;

  • Syncope-causing stimuli or conditions should be avoided;

  • Heart disease treatment.

Syncope repeated

Syncope can be controlled with proper diagnosis and treatment. There is a 30% chance of getting this complication again if you’ve ever had it before. Many factors influence your risk of re-syncope, including underlying causes, age, gender, and other illnesses.

Methods for preventing syncope

You should avoid fainting if it is caused by a specific stimulus. Syncope is inspired by a variety of things every day, including:

  • A sudden change in posture, such as standing up suddenly;

  • Long-term standing;

  • Severe pain or fear;

  • Pregnancy;

  • Water shortage;

  • Severe fatigue.

Exercise and contract your legs if you are worried about blood clotting in your legs. Wearing tight socks is also an option. Avoid stressful situations after syncope and drink plenty of fluids.

Conclusions

Even though syncope is not usually a serious complication, it is important to understand why it occurs. When you faint, you may need to reduce stress or consume more water and food. When you feel fainting symptoms, you should do the following:

  • Breathe in a controlled manner and keep calm;

  • Place your head between your legs or lie down with your feet above your head.

  • If you lose consciousness, contact your doctor.

Syncope stimuli can be identified and avoided depending on when you feel faint. You can quickly deal with syncope by following those steps and consulting your doctor.

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