Vasovagal syncope occurs when the part of your nervous system that regulates heart rate and blood pressure malfunctions in response to a trigger, such as the sight of blood. Your heart rate slows, and the blood vessels in your legs widen (dilate).
What is syncope? Syncope (SINK-a-pee) is another word for fainting or passing out. Someone is considered to have syncope if they become unconscious and go limp, then soon recover. For most people, syncope occurs once in a great while, if ever, and is not a sign of serious illness.
Vasovagal syncope is a condition that leads to fainting in some people. It's also called neurocardiogenic syncope or reflex syncope. It's the most common cause of fainting. It's usually not harmful and not a sign of a more serious problem.
Causes of fainting
standing up too quickly – this could be a sign of low blood pressure. not eating or drinking enough. being too hot. being very upset, angry or in severe pain.
There are many different causes of blackout – it might be an effect of drugs or alcohol, a problem with circulation, or a problem within the brain, such as epilepsy. It may not be serious, but it is important to see your doctor and try to establish the underlying cause.
Syncope can be classified into four categories: reflex mediated, cardiac, orthostatic, and cerebrovascular.
Most people will recover quickly after fainting once they lie down as more blood flows to the brain. It also helps to loosen any constrictive clothing. After they wake up, have them stay lying down or sitting for a while longer until they're feeling better.
As scary as it may be, fainting – also known as syncope – is actually very common. It occurs in about one-third of the general population, and there are a number of different things that can cause someone to pass out.
One of the most common reasons people faint is in reaction to an emotional trigger. For example, the sight of blood, or extreme excitement, anxiety or fear, may cause some people to faint. This condition is called vasovagal syncope.
' If you have fainted, you should see a physician or visit an emergency room right away to identify the cause of your fainting and to ensure you do not have a serious underlying condition. Generally, fainting indicates a drop in blood pressure resulting in too little blood (and, hence, oxygen) reaching your brain.
Fainting is a temporary loss of consciousness. If you're about to faint, you'll feel dizzy, lightheaded, or nauseous. Your field of vision may "white out" or "black out." Your skin may be cold and clammy. You lose muscle control at the same time, and may fall down.
Complete amnesia, often spanning hours, is known as an “en bloc” blackout. With this severe form of blackout, memories of events do not form and typically cannot be recovered. It is as if the events simply never occurred.
Do true feelings come out when you're drunk? True feelings may come out when you're drunk, but this isn't necessarily true all the time. Instead, alcohol can make people make fake stories and react with emotions they don't feel.
The Difference Between Blackout and Fainting
Some people use the terms blackout and fainting interchangeably, but they are different things. A blackout is a loss of memory. Fainting, also called passing out, is a loss of consciousness.
New research on alcohol's affect on brain activity helps to explain that age-old phenomenon: why people do stupid things when they are drunk. University of Missouri researchers found alcohol dulls the brain signal that warns people when they are making a mistake, ultimately reducing self-control.
Most fainting will pass quickly and won't be serious. Usually, a fainting episode will only last a few seconds, although it will make the person feel unwell and recovery may take several minutes. If a person doesn't recover quickly, always seek urgent medical attention.
Fainting is a brief loss of consciousness. Normal awareness returns in less than 1 minute if the person is allowed to lie down.
Eat more healthy salty snacks. These include pretzels and nuts (peanuts, pecans, almonds, etc.). The extra salt helps your system hold onto the fluids so will have more fluids in your system to help prevent the dizziness or fainting episodes.
Some jerky movements may occur, especially if the person is still sitting or slouched with their head higher than their body. When coming round after a faint, the person often feels awful, sickly and may vomit, or even have diarrhoea. Often there is prolonged fatigue after a faint.
If someone faints or appears to be fainting, call 911 or your local emergency number. Assist the person by lowering him or her to the ground or other flat surface, while facing up in a horizontal position. Check for breathing and injuries.
Your doctor will go over your medical history and perform a physical exam. If there is concern your fainting episode could be a predictor of something for more serious, such as a heart condition, you will likely receive a series of tests. Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) - records the electrical activity of your heart.
Vasovagal Syncope
It might be more likely to occur if the patient is relatively dehydrated, is exposed to extreme heat, has been standing for a long period of time, is sleep deprived or is under a lot of stress.
Prop up the person's legs about 12 inches (30 centimeters). Loosen belts, collars or other tight clothing. To reduce the chance of fainting again, don't get the person up too fast. If the person doesn't regain consciousness within one minute, call 911 or your local emergency number.