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Syncope ((syncope ⓘ), commonly known as fainting or passing out, is a loss of consciousness and muscle strength characterized by a fast onset, short duration, and spontaneous recovery. [1] It is caused by a decrease in blood flow to the brain , typically from low blood pressure . [ 1 ]
Apart from treating underlying reversible causes (e.g., stopping or reducing certain medications, treating autoimmune causes), several measures can improve the symptoms of orthostatic hypotension and prevent episodes of syncope (fainting). Even small increases in the blood pressure may be sufficient to maintain blood flow to the brain on standing.
Psychological treatments are the treatment of choice because they are more accurate at addressing the problem. Some of these treatments used especially for fear of medical procedures include exposure-based treatments, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, and applied tension to react against fainting. [3]: 82
[2] [4] If this is insufficient for treating vasovagal syncope, medications such as midodrine or fludrocortisone may be tried. [4] Occasionally, a cardiac pacemaker may be used as treatment. [2] Reflex syncope affects at least 1 in 1,000 people per year. [1] It is the most common type of syncope, making up more than 50% of all cases. [2]
Left ventricular hypertrophy is a leading cause of sudden cardiac deaths in the adult population. [ 39 ] [ 30 ] This is most commonly the result of longstanding high blood pressure , or hypertension, which has led to maladaptive overgrowth of muscular tissue of the left ventricle , the heart's main pumping chamber. [ 40 ]
These can lead to syncope. [16] Finally, in calcific aortic stenosis [17] [18] at least, the calcification in and around the aortic valve can progress and extend to involve the electrical conduction system of the heart. If that occurs, the result may be heart block, a potentially lethal condition of which syncope may be a symptom. [citation needed]
The primary symptom of vasovagal fear is vasovagal syncope, or fainting due to a decrease of blood pressure. Many people who suffer from fainting during needle procedures report no conscious fear of the needle procedure itself, but a great fear of the vasovagal syncope reaction.
Presyncope describes lightheadedness or feeling faint; the name relates to syncope, which is actually fainting. Disequilibrium is the sensation of being off balance and is most often characterized by frequent falls in a specific direction. This condition is not often associated with nausea or vomiting.