Syncope
What is Syncope?
Syncope is a brief loss of consciousness and posture, which is caused when the blood supply to the brain is temporarily inadequate. Syncope is generally defined as a transient loss of consciousness with spontaneous recovery. It is also known as fainting, blackouts, or passing out. Syncope can occur at any age, but are most common in the elderly.
Causes of Syncope
Syncope can be caused by many different conditions including certain medical conditions, medications, physical stress, sudden changes in posture, emotional stress, or even fear. Some of the most common causes of syncope include:
- Decreased blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension)
- Heart rate abnormalities (bradycardia)
- Heart valve disorders
- Neurological disorders
- Anemia
- Dehydration
- Medications (vasodilating agents, beta-blockers, antiarrhythmics, calcium channel blockers)
- Excessive exercise
- Alcohol or drug use
- Emotional stress
- Sudden changes in posture
Symptoms of Syncope
Syncope is usually characterized by a sudden onset of confusion, followed by a brief period of unconsciousness or black out followed by a quick recovery. Common symptoms associated with syncope may include nausea, sweating, blurred vision, and paleness of the skin. In more severe cases, the person may become severely disoriented, confused, weak, or have difficulty speaking.
Diagnosis of Syncope
If a person has any of the symptoms associated with syncope, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. The doctor will do a physical exam, including taking the patient’s medical history, to determine the cause. Other tests, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, and other tests may be done to rule out any underlying medical conditions.
Treatment of Syncope
Treatment for syncope is based on the underlying cause. If the cause is medication related, the doctor may recommend changing the dose or discontinuing the medication. Depending on the cause, the doctor may prescribe medications to help regulate blood pressure or other medications to help regulate the heart rate. In some cases, lifestyle changes, such as increasing physical activity and reducing stress, may help reduce the risk of syncope.