Fainting
Fainting, also known by the medical term syncope, is the temporary loss of consciousness, often accompanied by falling down or a strong urge to lie down, followed by spontaneous recovery. The most common reason for fainting is a temporary decrease in blood flow to the brain. Except for the risk of physical injury from falling, fainting itself is often not a serious health problem. However, sometimes fainting can be a sign of a serious underlying disorder, so determining the cause is important.
Emotional stress
Drop in blood pressure due to change in position or blood loss
Heat or dehydration
Arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms)
Heart abnormalities
An oversensitive region in an artery in the neck called the carotid artery
Blood clots in the lung
Warmth
Nausea
Field of vision either whites out or blacks out
Dizziness, lightheadedness
Sweaty palm
A physical examination and a careful history of what happens just before and during fainting are very important in determining the cause. Individuals who faint often should be tested for abnormal heart rhythms using an electrocardiogram (ECG), a machine that records the electrical impulses of the heart. They generally should also be evaluated with an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) to see if there are abnormalities in the heart muscle or valves. In some cases, other tests may be performed, such as a Holter monitor (a 24-hour recording of the heart rhythm) or a tilt test, in which blood pressure and heart rate are measured while the person is lying down on a table and again after the patient stands up or the table is tilted upright.
Treatment for fainting depends on its underlying cause. If no serious cause is found, the only interventions that may be necessary are avoiding situations that lead to fainting and protection from injury from falling. If a more serious cause is found, treatment is directed at the responsible condition.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
301/592-8573
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
800/352-9424
http://www.ninds.nih.gov
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Sharon Parmet, MS, Writer; Cassio Lynm, MA, Illustrator; Richard M. Glass, MD, Editor
JAMA. 2004;292(10):1260. doi:10.1001/jama.292.10.1260.
JAMA. 2004;292(10):1260. doi:10.1001/jama.292.10.1260.
Fainting, also known by the medical term syncope, is the temporary loss of consciousness, often accompanied by falling down or a strong urge to lie down, followed by spontaneous recovery. The most common reason for fainting is a temporary decrease in blood flow to the brain. Except for the risk of physical injury from falling, fainting itself is often not a serious health problem. However, sometimes fainting can be a sign of a serious underlying disorder, so determining the cause is important.
CAUSES OF SYNCOPE
COMMON SYMPTOMS JUST BEFORE SYNCOPE
DIAGNOSING CAUSES OF SYNCOPE
A physical examination and a careful history of what happens just before and during fainting are very important in determining the cause. Individuals who faint often should be tested for abnormal heart rhythms using an electrocardiogram (ECG), a machine that records the electrical impulses of the heart. They generally should also be evaluated with an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) to see if there are abnormalities in the heart muscle or valves. In some cases, other tests may be performed, such as a Holter monitor (a 24-hour recording of the heart rhythm) or a tilt test, in which blood pressure and heart rate are measured while the person is lying down on a table and again after the patient stands up or the table is tilted upright.
TREATMENT
Treatment for fainting depends on its underlying cause. If no serious cause is found, the only interventions that may be necessary are avoiding situations that lead to fainting and protection from injury from falling. If a more serious cause is found, treatment is directed at the responsible condition.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov
http://www.ninds.nih.gov
Click here to download a copy of this article.
<< Back to article index...
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PEMBROKE PINES - 17890 NW 2 St., Pembroke Pines, FL 33029. Telephone (954) 442-6090, FAX (954) 442-0070
Email: Info@luislugomd.com
DON'T WASTE TIME HOLDING ON THE TELEPHONE. Do you need to make a reservation? Check on a Referral? Request a Prescription Refill? Request Medical Records? No need to call the office. Get help fast by logging on to our PATIENT PORTAL. Ask us about WEB ENABLE on your next Office Visit. All of your Health Needs are right at your fingertips. You can even access your Health Information SECURLY from your Mobile Phone or Tablet. Download the free Mobile App Today. DOWNLOAD THE FREE HEALOW MOBILE APP BY CLICKING HERE, then find us by using our unique practice code. GGAHBA. To use the Patient Portal, please call the office and ask to be Web Enabled. You will need a valid Email Address to receive instructions on the Patient Portal. New Patients may also join us by clicking on the Patient Portal Link at the top of this page then click the Pre Registration Button. Note. Pre Registration is only for new Patients. Regular patients need to be Web Enabled. Call and ask us how to get access.