What is Vasovagal syncope?
Syncope suggests fainting or passing out. Once fainting is caused by certain triggers, just like the sight of blood or a needle, or associate degree intense feeling like worry or fright, it’s known as vasovagal syncope. It’s the foremost common reason behind fainting.
Vasovagal syncope is usually stated as a neurocardiogenic or reflex syncope.
Anyone will experience vasovagal syncope, however it tends to be a lot more common in youngsters and young adults. This kind of fainting happens to men and girls in equal numbers.
Although some causes of fainting may be a signal of a lot of serious unhealthiness, that’s generally not the case with vasovagal syncope.
This article can show the causes, diagnosis, and treatment for vasovagal syncope, also as signs that you simply ought to see a doctor.
Syncope (pronounced “sin blow pea”) is the medical term for fainting or passing out. It's caused by a brief call the number of blood that flows to the brain.
Syncope will happen if you've got an abrupt call force per unit area, a call pulse rate, or changes within the quantity of blood in areas of your body. If you pass out, you'll doubtless become acutely aware and alert directly, however you'll feel confused for a touch.
Autonomic system (ANS)
The ANS mechanically controls several functions of the body, like respiratory, force per unit area, pulse rate and bladder management. Most times, this stuff happens while not a North American country noticing.
Syncope may be a common condition. It affects three-dimensional men and three.5% of ladies at some purpose in life. Syncope is a lot more common as you develop and affects up to six of individuals over age seventy five. The condition will occur at any age and happens in folks with and while not alternative medical issues.
Explanation of medical terms and concepts Vasovagal syncope
Vasovagal syncope (vay-zoh-VAY-gul SING-kuh-pee) happens once you faint as a result of your body overreacting to bound triggers, like the sight of blood or extreme emotional distress. it should even be referred to as neurocardiogenic syncope.
The vasovagal syncope trigger causes your pulse and pressure to drop suddenly. That results in reduced blood flow to your brain, inflicting you to shortly lose consciousness.
Vasovagal syncope is typically harmless and needs no treatment. however it's doable that you simply could injure yourself throughout a vasovagal syncope episode. Your doctor could suggest tests to rule out more-serious causes of fainting, like heart disorders.
Vasovagal syncope is a condition in which the body triggers a reflex called neurally mediated (or vasovagal) syncope This reflex causes blood vessels to dilate and heart rate to decrease One symptom of this condition is lightheadedness or fainting The most common cause of this reflex is pain pressure or discomfort on the head neck or torso Standing up quickly can trigger vasovagal syncope as well
is a reflex of the autonomic nervous system which can also result in fainting Vasovagal syncope commonly referred to as fainting or syncope is a vasovagal reaction that results in blood pooling in the feet and lower body causing oxygen-rich blood to head back toward the lungs from where it came A vasovagal episode is typically ushered in by situations that place strain on the heart; for example standing for long periods of time car rides or sporting events While some people may experience only one episode of vasovagal syncope others may
Symptoms Vasovagal syncope
Before you faint due to vasovagal syncope, you may experience some of the following:
Pale skin
Lightheadedness
Tunnel vision — your field of vision narrows so that you see only what's in front of you
Nausea
Feeling warm
A cold, clammy sweat
Blurred vision
During a vasovagal syncope episode, bystanders may notice:
Jerky, abnormal movements
A slow, weak pulse
Dilated pupils
Recovery after a vasovagal episode generally begins in less than a minute. However, if you stand up too soon after fainting — within about 15 to 30 minutes — you're at risk of fainting again.
When to see a doctor
Fainting is often a signal of a lot of serious conditions, like a heart or brain disease. you'll wish to consult your doctor once a fainting spell, particularly if you have ne'er had one before.
Causes Vasovagal syncope
Syncope may be caused by several things. Several patients have a medical condition they'll or might not comprehend that affects the system or heart. you will even have a condition that affects blood flow through your body and causes your force per unit area to drop after you modify positions (for example, going from lying right down to standing).
Vasovagal syncope happens once a part of your system that regulates vital signs and force per unit area malfunctions in response to a trigger, like the sight of blood.
Your vital sign slows, and also the blood vessels in your legs widen (dilate). This enables blood to pool in your legs, which lowers your force per unit area. Combined, they come by force per unit area and slowed vital signs quickly scale back blood flow to your brain, and you faint.
Sometimes there is no classical vasovagal syncope trigger, but common triggers include:
Standing for long periods of time
Heat exposure
Seeing blood
Having blood drawn
Fear of bodily injury
Straining, such as to have a bowel movement
Prevention
You may not perpetually be ready to avoid a vasovagal syncope episode. If you are feeling such as you would possibly faint, change posture and elevate your legs. This permits gravity to stay blood flowing to your brain. If you cannot change posture, sit down and place your head between your knees till you are feeling higher.
Diagnosis Vasovagal syncope
Diagnosing vasovagal syncope typically begins with a physical examination. Throughout the physical examination, your doctor can hear your heart and take your pressure level. He or she may additionally massage the most arteries in your neck to check if that causes you to feel faint.
Your doctor may additionally advocate many tests to rule out different attainable causes of your fainting — significantly heart-related issues. These tests could include:
Electrocardiogram. This takes a look at records of the electrical signals your heart produces. It will observe irregular heart rhythms and different internal organ issues. you will ought to wear a conveyable monitor for a minimum of each day or as long as a month.
Echocardiogram. This test uses ultrasound imaging to view the heart and look for conditions, such as valve problems, that can cause fainting.
Exercise stress test. This test studies heart rhythms during exercise. It's usually conducted while you walk or jog on a treadmill.
Blood tests. Your doctor may look for conditions, such as anemia, that can cause or contribute to fainting spells.
Tilt table test. If no heart issues seem to cause your fainting, your doctor could recommend that you just endure a tilt table check. Throughout the check, you lie flat on your back on a table that changes positions, tilting you upward at numerous angles. A technician monitors your heart rhythms and vital signs throughout the check to ascertain if dynamic your posture affects them.
Treatment Vasovagal syncope
In most cases of vasovagal syncope, treatment is senseless. Your doctor could assist you determine your fainting triggers and discuss ways in which you may avoid them.
However, if you expertise vasovagal syncope usually enough to interfere together with your quality of life, your doctor could counsel attempting one or additional of the subsequent remedies:
Medications. A drug called fludrocortisone acetate that's normally used to treat low blood pressure may be helpful in preventing vasovagal syncope. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors also may be used.
Therapies. Your doctor might advocate ways to decrease the pooling of blood in your legs. These might embrace foot exercises, sporting compression stockings or tensing your leg muscles once standing. you will have to be compelled to increase salt in your diet if you do not typically have high force per unit area. Avoid prolonged standing — particularly in hot, huddled places — and drink many fluids.
Surgery. Very rarely, inserting an electrical pacemaker to regulate the heartbeat may help some people with vasovagal syncope who haven't been helped by other treatments.
Preparing for your appointment
It's a good idea to prepare for your appointment to make the most of your time with your doctor.
What you can do
Write down details of your symptoms, including any triggers that may have caused you to faint.
Make a list of any medications, vitamins and supplements you're taking.
Write down questions you want to ask your doctor, including questions about potential tests and treatments.
What to expect from your doctor
Questions your doctor might ask you include:
What were you doing just before you fainted?
What signs and symptoms, if any, did you experience before you fainted?
Have you ever fainted before? If yes, what were you doing before you fainted then?
Have you recently started taking a new medication?
Have you ever had a head injury?
Has anyone in your family died suddenly of heart problems?
General summary
Extremely stressful situations are to blame for 90 percent of vasovagal attacks The nervous system is naturally designed to react in this manner Your body's "flight or fight" mechanism kicks in when you perceive yourself -- either consciously or unconsciously -- at risk of danger causing your heart rate and blood pressure to drop Then your body quickly redirects its circulation away from the extremities (arms legs) and towards the vital organs such as the heart and lungs
Is a vasovagal attack serious?
The cause of a vasovagal attack is unknown It typically occurs after an emotional or physical stress but can occur for no particular reason at all The symptoms are not serious and normally resolve themselves within 30 minutes to two hours but sometimes the symptoms can last longer or recur during the same day
Can vasovagal cause death?
Yes vasovagal syncope can cause death Vasovagal fainting occurs when the vagus nerve sends a message to the brain telling it to stop pumping blood throughout the body This causes you to lose consciousness and fall as if you have fainted Vasovagal syncope is harmless because your heart still beats but at an extremely slow rate If this occurs due to an intense situation like anxiety or fear then the loss of consciousness will be temporary and once you wake up there are no long-term side effects because your heart resumes its normal rhythm after a few seconds or minutes
Can I drive if I have vasovagal syncope?
Vasovagal syncope occurs due to a sudden drop in heart rate If you stop breathing for four seconds you may faint and fall down since your body is not getting enough oxygen It can happen while standing sitting or lying down Common symptoms include nausea sweating trembling and fainting
What medications can cause vasovagal syncope?
There are a number of medications that can cause vasovagal syncope or fainting Some of these meds include alpha blockers beta blockers seizure medication and epilepsy drugs Women may also be at risk if they take estrogens birth control pills or hormone replacements Menopause can also trigger episodes of vasovagal syncope because your body stops producing estrogen during this time Estrogen helps to regulate blood pressure and heartbeat which is why women who have gone through menopause commonly experience abnormal heart rhythms and symptoms like dizziness and chest pain during times of stress or physical exertion This
Is vasovagal syncope a mental disorder?
Vasovagal syncope is also known as neurocardiogenic (NCG) syncope because it is due to a neurological reflex that causes the heart to slow or even stop This condition can lead to fainting but it is not considered a mental disorder according to the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – Fifth Edition Instead vasovagal syncope is categorized as a circulatory disorder in this manual listed under "Cardiovascular Disease."