There are many types of syncope (fainting) episodes, and they can even be misdiagnosed. Vasovagal syncope is usually not serious, but it can signal a potentially dangerous medical condition. Being able to recognize a fainting event can greatly improve safety, especially when operating dangerous equipment. Read on to learn about self-diagnostic and prevention techniques.<\/p>\n
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Vasovagal syncope is a sudden but brief loss of consciousness<\/strong>. It is usually triggered by emotional distress<\/strong>, such as the sight of blood or a shocking event. These episodes may be isolated or recurrent [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Other common terms used to refer to syncope include:<\/p>\n Vasovagal syncope is also referred to as neurocardiogenic syncope [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n There are several reasons why someone might faint. Vasovagal is one of the most common types of fainting (about 50% of cases), together with orthostatic fainting (caused by low blood pressure) [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Types of fainting include:<\/p>\n Why do we faint? In some cases, it is because of the low blood\/oxygen supply to the brain. The faint brings our body into a gravitationally neutral position, thereby offering a better chance of restoring brain blood supply and preserving brain function [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In other cases (such as after emotional distress), fainting protects the heart against too much sympathetic (fight-or-flight) activity [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n The symptoms we list here are commonly associated with vasovagal syncope but are insufficient for a diagnosis. Work with your doctor to discover what underlying condition might be causing you to faint and to develop an appropriate plan to improve your health.<\/p>\n Symptoms Before Fainting Episodes<\/strong> [R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n Symptoms During Fainting Episodes <\/strong>[R<\/a>, R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n Symptoms After Fainting Episodes<\/strong> [R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n Defects in salt<\/a> metabolism may be associated with more severe symptoms. Low dietary salt can lead to a lower blood volume and make the body more susceptible to fainting<\/strong>. However, more conclusive evidence is needed to clearly associate low dietary salt with an increased incidence of vasovagal syncope [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Common vasovagal syncope is diagnosed if the fainting event is associated with emotional distress, such as fear or<\/strong> pain<\/strong><\/a>. Prolonged standing can also cause fainting [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Usually, syncope is diagnosed based on the patient’s fainting episode, medical history, physical examination, and blood tests [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Fainting episodes can either be one-time events or recurrent. They can even serve as a signal for more serious clinical disorders, such as allergies and diabetes [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n The tilt table test<\/strong> is used to replicate and document fainting symptoms. Patients are usually strapped to a tilt table, then suspended upright while medical data is collected [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n An implantable loop recorder<\/strong> can be surgically implanted under the skin to track heartbeat patterns. The recorder detects any abnormal heart rhythms during fainting events [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n The treadmill test is the newest method to diagnose syncope. Patients start walking at 1.7 mph at a flat incline. Speed and incline increase every 3 minutes and it ends after 30 minutes. After a 1-minute rest, the patient is administered nitroglycerin and medical data is collected [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Vasovagal syncope is commonly misdiagnosed<\/strong> as an epileptic seizure due to occasional involuntary movements (myoclonic jerks) after fainting. However, fainting does not show the same responses as a seizure on different diagnostic tools (ECG, EEG, etc.) [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Syncope is caused by defects due to improper blood flow, while epileptic seizures are caused by defects in brain activity. Misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment of the patient [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Many mechanisms have been suggested to cause fainting episodes, but these factors and their relative contributions are still not fully understood [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Vasovagal syncope occurs by the activation of a heart reflex (hypotension\/bradycardia reflex) through the stimulation of the<\/strong> vagus nerve<\/strong><\/a>. This reflex causes a rapid decrease in heartbeat and widening of blood vessels [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n The vagus<\/a> nerve is part of the parasympathetic nervous system, sometimes referred to as the rest-and-digest system [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In a clinical trial on 23 children and adolescents (7-18 years), those with vasovagal syncope had significant imbalances in the involuntary control of their body (autonomic nervous system). They had decreased sympathetic (fight-or-flight) and increased vagal tone<\/a>. These imbalances may be more severe for adolescents [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In a clinical trial on 29 people with syncope induced by the tilt table test, images of their hearts revealed a sudden loss of blood flow into the heart, possibly decreasing blood outflow moments before fainting [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n These factors increase the likeliness of fainting [R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n\n
<\/a>Types of Syncope<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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<\/a>Symptoms<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/a>Diagnosis<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/a>Vasovagal Syncope Can Be Misdiagnosed as a Seizure<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Causes<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/a>Triggers<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
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