Fainting (syncope): causes, symptoms, and treatment

Definition of fainting

What is fainting or syncope?

Fainting, or syncope, is losing consciousness for a period of time. Usually, this lasts for a few seconds or minutes and can make a full recovery right away.

Syncope occurs because low blood pressure causes reduced blood flow to the brain, or the heart does not supply enough oxygen-rich blood to the brain. This is usually just a mild condition, which occurs because of stress, heat, dehydration, tiredness, or prolonged sadness. In fact, the cause of fainting is often unknown and is not a serious condition.

However, in some cases, syncope can be a serious condition. This is usually related to heart damage or electrical system abnormalities that affect the heart's ability to pump blood efficiently.

Even in serious conditions, fainting can be a sign of an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest and death. Several other medical conditions can also cause you to faint.

How common is this condition?

Syncope can occur depending on health conditions. People who are sick or have heart disease usually pass out more often.

Cleveland Clinic says, fainting or syncope is a common condition. This condition affects 3% of men and 3.5% of women at some point in life.

Syncope is also more common with age and affects up to 6% of people over 75 years of age. However, this condition can appear at any age, even those who do not have any health problems.

Signs & symptoms of fainting

What are the signs and symptoms of syncope?

The most common symptoms and features of a fainting person are:

• The view was dark.
• Feel dizzy.
• Fall for no reason.
• Feel sleepy.
• Feeling shaky, unstable, or weak when standing.
• Changes in vision, such as seeing freckles.
• Headache.

Syncope is a condition that occurs suddenly. Usually, symptoms appear within seconds before syncope occurs, so sufferers do not feel any signs or warnings beforehand.

However, in some cases, a person may already have a feeling of fainting based on the symptoms that appear. In addition to the above symptoms, people who are about to faint may feel nauseous, have cold sweats, and have a palpitations (palpitations) or irregular heartbeats.

In severe conditions, the signs above can also be accompanied by other symptoms, such as shortness of breath, feeling of pressure or chest pain, and ringing in the ears. There may be other symptoms that are not listed. If you have questions about signs of illness, consult a doctor.

When to see a doctor?

You may pass out due to panic, feel sick, too tired, hungry, or drink too much. This can disappear after the body recovers.

Most cases of fainting are not cause for concern and require no special treatment, but there are some conditions that are medical emergencies. Therefore, you should immediately seek medical attention if you experience or find someone with the following conditions:

• Never experienced syncope before.
• Passed out or syncope many times.
• Wounds or bleeding.
• History of diabetes.
• Is pregnant.
• History of heart disease.
• Feeling pain in the chest and irregular heartbeat before losing consciousness.
• It took him more than a few minutes to regain consciousness.
• Seizures.

Cause of fainting

Fainting is caused by a lack of blood flow to the brain. This condition usually occurs because the nerves that regulate the heart rate and blood vessels are interrupted for a moment due to several things.

The causes can be various. This could be due to something trivial, such as when you get tense, have blood drawn, get shots, hear bad news, or even laugh too loudly.

However, syncope can also be caused by serious conditions, such as certain medical conditions or illnesses. Usually, this serious condition can cause you to experience syncope frequently. Here are some conditions or diseases that can cause you to experience fainting frequently:

• Heart problems

Disease or abnormality in the heart can cause syncope due to a temporary reduction in blood flow to the brain. This condition can occur due to various things, such as a malfunctioning electrical system in the heart or blocked blood flow due to narrow heart valves or thick heart muscle (cardiomyopathy).

In addition, a heart rate that is too slow (bradycardia) or a heart rate that is too fast (tachycardia) can also be the cause. Generally, this condition develops from dysfunction of the pacemaker, or natural damage to the electrical network in the heart due to aging or the side effects of medications.

Narrow heart valves, particularly the aortic valve, can also cause syncope. This most often occurs when you are exercising or taking medications that can cause your blood pressure to drop. It is caused by aging and can be inherited.

• Nervous system problems

Nervous (neurological) conditions or problems can also be a cause of syncope. Some of the common conditions that cause it, namely seizures, strokes, or transient ischemic attack (TIA) or a minor stroke. In rare cases, migraine and hydrocephalus can also be the cause.

• Metabolic / endocrine problems

Although rare, problems with the metabolic or endocrine systems can also cause people to faint. These conditions include low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia), decreased oxygen concentration in the blood (hypoxy), or decreased blood pressure due to abnormally low levels of steorides (Addison's disease).

• Blood pressure drop suddenly (vasovagal syncope)

Apart from the medical conditions above, blood pressure dropping suddenly is the most common cause of fainting. This condition is often called vasovagal syncope, which affects 80% of all fainting cases.

Some people who have vasovagal syncope usually have a condition known as orthostatic hypotension, which is a drop in blood pressure on standing. This condition usually occurs as a result of dehydration, use of prescription drugs, and diabetes.

However, vasovagal syncope can also occur due to certain situations or stimuli affecting the nervous system. This situation or stimulation usually takes the form of:

• Extreme pain.
• Stand in hot and overcrowded areas.
• Seeing blood.
• Take a warm shower.
• Urinating or defecating.
• Intense emotional stress.
• Restless or afraid.
• Starving.
• Use of alcohol or certain drugs.
• Hyperventilation or excessive breathing.
• Coughing vigorously, twisting your neck, or wearing a tight collar.

Risk factors for fainting

Fainting is a condition that is common to anyone at any age. However, there are several factors that increase a person's risk of developing syncope. Here are some of the risk factors for you to experience fainting:

• Are over 60 years of age.
• Have a history of heart disease.
• Stress.
• Have fainted, including when doing activities or sports.
• Abnormal heart examination.
• Have a medical history in the family that may cause fainting.
• Consumption of certain drugs, including illegal drugs.
• Excessive alcohol consumption.

Having no risk factors does not mean you are not affected by this condition. These factors are for reference only. Consult with a doctor for more detailed information.

Diagnosis for fainting

When you arrive at the hospital, the medical team will check for symptoms, ask about possible factors that may have caused you to faint, and perform a physical exam. Your doctor and medical team may also measure your blood pressure in different positions, such as lying down and standing.

If you are suspected of having a serious condition, your doctor will generally perform several screening tests to complete the diagnosis, such as:

• Electrocardiogram (EKG)

An electrocardiogram (EKG) is a test to measure the electrical activity in the heart. This test is done if the doctor suspects that the fainting is due to a heart problem.

• Echocardiogram

The test uses high-frequency sound waves to create a picture of the structure of your heart. Just like an EKG, an echocardiogram is also done if you suspect a heart problem.

• Blood test

Blood tests are done to see if other conditions are causing syncope, such as diabetes or anemia.

• Electroencephalography (EEG)

An EEG is done to check the electrical activity in the brain. This can usually detect if there is a problem with your nervous system.

• Holter monitor

A holter monitor is a test to record heart rhythms for 24 hours. You will usually be asked to use this tool for 24-48 hours while doing normal activities.

• Imaging test

Imaging tests may also be needed to see images of the structure of your organs. This test can be a chest x-ray or CT scan.

Apart from those listed above, you may need other screening tests. Consult with your doctor for the right type of examination for your condition.

Treatment for fainting

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How do you treat a fainting person?

Usually, syncope can heal on its own. However, in certain conditions, you may need medication or treatment from a doctor to treat this condition.

The type of treatment chosen depends on the cause of your fainting spells. For example, if you experience syncope due to a medication you are taking, your doctor may ask you to stop, change, or change the dose of that medication.

If you experience fainting due to a certain illness, treating the condition can be a way to cure the fainting person. In addition, there are several ways or treatment options that can also help people feel fainting are:

• Wear support clothing or compression stockings to improve blood circulation.
• Make changes to your diet. Your doctor may recommend that you eat small and frequent meals, increase the salt (sodium), drink lots of water, and consume lots of food.
• Avoid or change situations that trigger syncope.
• Position your head higher while sleeping, like using an extra vault.

Specific treatment options for cardiac syncope

Depending on the diagnosis, cardiac syncope or cardiac syncope can be stopped or controlled with one or more of the following therapies:

• Pacemaker

This method is the standard treatment for syncope caused by a slow heartbeat (bradycardia). The pacemaker continuously monitors the natural rhythm of the heart. It provides an electrical impulse to stimulate or accelerate heart muscle contraction if the heart rate drops below a certain number of beats per minute.

• Treatment for fast heart rate (tachycardia)

This treatment depends on whether it occurs in the upper chambers (atria) or lower chambers (ventricles). These treatments include medications and medications to control heart rate and underlying disease, catheter ablation, cardioversion regulation, and use of tools. implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).

First aid for people who fainted

What to do if I pass out or syncope?

Some steps or ways of handling that can be done if you experience fainting are:

• If you feel like you might pass out, lie down

Keep your head lower and raise your legs. This method can help increase blood flow to your brain. Lying down also lowers your risk of injury if you pass out.

• If you can't lie down, sit down

You may not be able to lie down because it is not possible. In this case, sit down and place your head between your knees to increase blood flow to the brain.

• Stay lying or sitting for a while

Don't get up too fast or it will make you feel like passing out again.

What are some ways to help someone pass out?

Here are steps or ways to help someone who passes out near you:

• Get a physical exam

The first way you can treat someone who has fainted is to do a physical exam. Checks are done to make sure there are no injuries to the people you are helping. You also need to make sure he is still breathing.

If there is no injury and the person you are helping is still breathing, raise the person's leg above the heart, about 30 cm, if possible. Loosen the belt or collar of the shirt he is wearing.

To avoid the possibility of fainting again, don't wake the person up too quickly. If the person is not conscious for up to a minute, call the medical team immediately.

• Check for breathing

If the person is not breathing, get help Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and immediately contacted medical personnel. Do this help until the medical team comes to help.

Prevention of fainting

Steps that can be taken to prevent or avoid syncope are:

• Don't skip meals.
• Eat healthy and balanced nutritious foods, including foods that are sodium to keep blood pressure from being low.
• Drink lots of water to avoid dehydration.
• Understand and avoid the various external factors that can trigger or cause you to faint, such as seeing blood, stress, or standing too long.
• Take medicines according to the recommended dosage and conditions.
• Do not rush to get up from sitting or lying down, as this can cause a drop in blood pressure and prevent adequate blood flow to the brain.
• Avoid clothes with tight collars.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.