Why does a person faint and what is this condition? The brain cannot function normally without a constant flow of blood and nutrients. A sudden disruption of this process causes severe oxygen starvation of brain tissue. The result is a short-term loss of consciousness - usually it lasts a few seconds. The repetition of these cases indicates cardiac and neurological problems in the body, and the causes of fainting are varied. There is no need to delay their diagnosis. Not only fainting, but also pre-fainting conditions should alert you and lead you to a qualified specialist. Now you can undergo a consultation and a set of preparatory examinations when registering for a course of enhanced external counterpulsation or shock wave therapy of the heart absolutely free of charge!
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Symptoms of loss of consciousness
Fainting and loss of consciousness - what's the difference? There is no difference, since fainting is a loss of consciousness for a short time (usually up to 1 minute). The main precursor can be called a pre-fainting state. And speaking about the symptoms of loss of consciousness, most often they mean the symptoms of a pre-fainting state:
- a feeling of lightheadedness and nausea sets in;
- the heart begins to beat quickly;
- circles and “spots” appear before the eyes;
- vision loses clarity;
- a strong pounding appears in the temples;
- cold sweat is produced profusely;
- there is a feeling of imminent fall.
It is at this moment that emergency measures must be taken to prevent loss of consciousness. Timely provision of first aid is also extremely important.
However, fainting can occur quite suddenly, without this “warning”. Its symptoms cannot go unnoticed by others:
- a person suddenly loses his balance and falls in a “sheaf”;
- loss of consciousness occurs;
- the skin becomes pale;
- Limbs may twitch and urine may leak involuntarily.
Having regained consciousness, the person feels overwhelmed and experiences severe drowsiness.
Causes of fainting
There are many reasons why people faint, and almost all of them are associated with a sharp decrease in the intensity of blood flow in the brain. Among the most common causes of loss of consciousness are disorders of the nervous system (50% of all cases) and heart pathologies (25%). Also, immediately before unconsciousness may:
- vascular function is impaired due to a pre-stroke condition, atherosclerosis;
- increased pressure in the vessels of the skull due to hydrocephalus, tumor, hemorrhage;
- the amount of sugar and oxygen in the body decreases, which occurs with kidney pathologies, hypoglycemia, anemia;
- decreased circulating blood volume due to bleeding.
Consequences and complications
The consequences of such a condition depend on the causes of its occurrence. The most serious consequences may be:
- Development of coma and cerebral edema , which leads to disorders of important life functions.
- Suffocation due to retraction of the tongue in an unconscious state.
- Various injuries received during a fall.
With frequent manifestations of this condition, a person sometimes has to change his occupation.
Causes of frequent fainting
The causes of frequent fainting are classified into a separate group. They are usually associated with various mental disorders that manifest themselves periodically, for example, hysterical neurosis. A sudden disruption in blood flow can occur with epilepsy. Often first aid for fainting is necessary for people with low blood pressure and diabetes. A drop in vascular tone can cause fatigue, neurosis, and even a simple transition from a sitting state to a standing state and vice versa.
There are also specific causes in women and men that lead to short-term loss of consciousness.
First signs
The following are signs that precede syncope:
- causeless anxiety, weakness, incessant yawning, heavy breathing;
- pale skin, sweating;
- headaches that bring a pressing or squeezing sensation, noise in the ears (ringing in the ears may be present), dizziness, hearing problems, suffocation;
- adrenaline rush, accompanied by heat at the end of the fingers;
- darkening before the eyes;
- tonic convulsions;
- a sharp increase or decrease in pressure, heart rate increases;
- nausea, vomiting, sour taste in the mouth.
Fainting is characterized by the presence of the following manifestations:
- the muscles are relaxed and the body is motionless;
- breathing slows down;
- blood pressure decreases;
- in case of deep fainting, the occurrence of convulsions and incontinence cannot be excluded;
- Pupils dilate, in the presence of serious pathologies, there is no reaction to light.
First aid for fainting:
- position the patient in such a way as to improve blood supply to the head - raise your legs and try to lower your head a little lower than your body;
- loosen the patient's collar, open the window in the room for air access;
- Sprinkle water on your face, apply ammonia to your nostrils;
- the patient has come to his senses - offer him something sweet;
- If possible, give an intravenous injection of glucose - this will improve blood circulation.
If help for loss of consciousness is provided in a timely manner, the person will feel better within a few minutes.
Types of fainting
In medicine, there are three main types of fainting.
With neurogenic, there is a temporary disorder of cardiovascular reflexes that control the dynamics of blood in the body. This type is varied:
- vasodepressor – consequences of excessively strong emotions, stress, fear, they occur most often;
- orthostatic are caused by a sharp transfer of the body from a lying position to an upright one;
- fainting due to tight collars is explained by too high sensitivity of the carotid sinus;
- loss of consciousness in older men when urinating at night, coughing, defecating - a consequence of a sharp increase in intrathoracic pressure.
If a patient has disturbances in heart rhythm, problems with the conduction of cardiac tissue are observed, and myocardial infarction is diagnosed, then they speak of cardiogenic loss of consciousness.
If, due to sudden fear, panic, or anxiety, a person’s breathing unconsciously quickens and deepens, causing loss of consciousness, such fainting is classified as hyperventilation .
In addition, there are classifications that distinguish:
- maladaptive form - when fainting is caused by adaptation to external conditions (a person overheats, etc.);
- anemic – when the volume of hemoglobin and red blood cells drops sharply, and what remains is not enough to fully supply the brain with oxygen;
- hypoglycemic – when glucose levels in the body drop;
- extreme forms – when the body is exposed to extreme conditions: high mountain air, burns, intoxication with harmful substances, medications.
Forecast
According to medical statistics, in approximately 93% of cases, benign fainting occurs with a favorable prognosis, which does not require drug treatment.
An unfavorable prognosis is observed in those patients in whom fainting is provoked by cardiovascular disease . These people are at risk of death due to heart problems. Risk factors for sudden death in patients with syncope are as follows:
- Age over 45 years.
- Ventricular arrhythmias.
- Heart failure.
- The presence of pathological changes on the ECG, which indicate arrhythmogenic disorders.
- Myocardial infarction.
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
- Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.
Diseases that cause fainting
Patients with arrhythmia may experience fainting because the blood supply to the brain is sharply reduced. With bradycardia, symptoms of loss of consciousness are also observed. The reasons are a sharp, almost instantaneous drop in heart rate to 30 or even 20 beats per second when the norm is 65-72.
- In addition, patients may need help with fainting:
- pulmonary hypertension;
- dehydration;
- Parkinson's disease;
- with aortic stenosis;
- diabetes mellitus
Is it possible to raise blood pressure on your own at home?
– At home, in order to raise blood pressure, you can drink tea or coffee, eat something salty, and quickly drink 1-2 glasses of cold water (with ice in large sips).
You can also use so-called physical counterpressure maneuvers: crossing your legs in combination with maximum tension in the muscles of the legs, abdomen and buttocks; maximum squeezing of the rubber ball in the hand; squeezing one hand with the other with gradual abduction of the hands (phalanxes of the fingers in a lock in front of the chest).
All this is done with effort, muscle tension for as long as possible, until the symptoms disappear completely.
Diagnostics
The initial examination consists of listening to the patient’s complaints about the frequency and duration of fainting states, and determining the conditions under which loss of consciousness occurs. A neurological examination is performed.
The patient must be sent for laboratory blood tests.
Among instrumental studies, the most effective are:
- various types of ECG;
- echocardiography;
- computer sphygmomanometry;
- cardiac rhythmography;
- 24-hour blood pressure monitoring;
- duplex scanning of blood vessels.
These are the most modern diagnostic methods that identify the objective cause of fainting and allow you to prescribe optimal treatment.
Diagnostic measures
MRI of the brain
- Cost: 14,000 rub.
More details
Diagnosis begins with an initial appointment with a neurologist. First, the doctor will try to find out in what circumstances, under the influence of what provoking factors, loss of consciousness develops. To establish a final diagnosis, you will need to undergo a series of instrumental examinations.
Thus, if cardiogenic fainting is suspected, the patient is referred for an ECG, echocardiography, and also for consultation with a cardiologist. If epilepsy is suspected, an electroencephalogram is performed. It is also common to take a blood sample to check blood sugar levels to rule out hypoglycemia. If anemia is suspected, it is necessary to conduct a blood test for hemoglobin content. If there is a possibility of neurological or organic diseases of the brain, then MRI and/or vascular examination are prescribed.
Treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis; it is enough to undergo an examination and receive treatment prescriptions.
Prevention
Knowing what to do if you faint, you also need to take preventive measures:
- eat rationally (it is better to consult your doctor about your individual diet);
- Moderate physical activity must be present;
- walk at least 2 hours a day;
- Women during pregnancy should regularly visit a gynecologist;
- eliminate extreme loads and overheating;
- Among medications, the doctor may prescribe nootropics, venotonics, adaptogens, and vitamins.
Our doctors
Belikov Alexander Valerievich
Neurologist, Candidate of Medical Sciences
21 years of experience
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Novikova Larisa Vaganovna
Neuropathologist, Candidate of Medical Sciences, doctor of the highest category
Experience 39 years
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Pankov Alexander Rostislavovich
Neurologist
40 years of experience
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Diagnostics and treatment at the Center for Pathology of the Circulatory Organs
At the CBCP clinic you have modern European diagnostic equipment, advanced research methods and highly qualified doctors at your service.
Even if you have experienced a fainting state once, this is already a reason to see a doctor. And repeated fainting is a mandatory reason to visit a cardiologist and conduct professional diagnostics. Timely detection of cardiac pathology is far from a death sentence. The CBCP cardiology clinic will select an individual treatment program, and your body will return to tone.
List of sources
- Bova A.A. Syncope in clinical practice: educational method. allowance. – Mn.: Asobny, 2009. – 45 p.
- Autonomic disorders: Clinic, treatment, diagnosis / ed. AM Wayne. – M., 1998. – 752 p.
- Guseva I.A., Bondareva Z.G., Miller O.N. Causes of syncope in young people // Ros. cardiology journal. - 2003. - No. 3. — P. 25-28.
- Stykan O.A. Akimova G.A. Differential diagnosis of nervous diseases: a guide for doctors. - St. Petersburg: Hippocrates, 2000. - P. 132-177.
