Painful syncope. Reflex anoxic convulsions. Generalized epileptic seizure


The most common cause of sudden transient loss of consciousness is "postural syncope" or simple syncope. This diagnosis can be made only if the loss of consciousness occurred during vertical position body and consciousness recovered in a few seconds at horizontal position, and also if the reasons predisposing to fainting are established. These reasons include: standing up suddenly or standing for a long time, especially in the heat; factors that activate vasovagal reflexes - pain, fear, emotional upheaval, urination, defecation, cough, pressure in the carotid sinus. In addition, the cause of postural syncope may be taking antihypertensive drugs, autonomic neuropathy (for example, in diabetes). General mechanism the development of such conditions consists in a transient decrease in the blood supply to the brain as a result of the loss of vasomotor tone in the underlying parts of the body, i.e. in the legs and organs abdominal cavity; in addition, bradycardia may develop. With fainting associated with urination, defecation and coughing, additional factor is an increase in intrathoracic pressure, which reduces venous inflow and cardiac output. If syncope occurs following a single cough shock, one should be aware of the possibility of an epileptic seizure induced by coughing.
Signs of simple syncope are feelings of weakness, nausea, sometimes blackout before fainting, sweating, pallor, weak slow pulse, and hypotension. fast and full recovery consciousness in a horizontal position of the body confirms the diagnosis of syncope. Momentary convulsive movements and even urinary incontinence may occur with deep syncope, but in all such cases, epilepsy should be completely ruled out beforehand.
FROM simple fainting loss of consciousness due to blood loss can be confused if internal bleeding(for example, gastrointestinal or retroperitoneal) is not accompanied by bursting, painful sensations or bleeding. In this case, when the patient is laid down, consciousness is often also restored, but nausea, pallor, sweating, hypotension persist, shortness of breath is often noted, and tachycardia is usually observed instead of bradycardia.
Similar clinical picture observed in painless forms of acute vascular accidents: myocardial infarction or pulmonary embolism. In these cases, the loss of consciousness can also be short-term and sudden, the pulse can be frequent or rare, however, when the patient is in a horizontal position, symptoms of circulatory insufficiency persist: hypotension, shortness of breath, cyanosis, rhythm disturbances, swelling of the cervical veins, gallop rhythm, wheezing in lower sections lungs.
In the pathological conditions described above, a sudden and short-term loss of consciousness occurs most often only in an upright position: standing or sitting. If such attacks occur in bed or after the patient has fallen to the ground, one of three types of disorders should be suspected: disorders heart rate, cerebrovascular accident and epilepsy. In particular, in elderly patients, a sudden short-term loss of consciousness may be the result of rhythm disturbance - asystole in the form of a complete transverse block (Adam-Stokes attacks). These attacks may not have any precursors, except for an instant feeling of weakness and interruptions in the heart. Since cardiac arrhythmias can disappear very quickly, when examining a patient who has had a faint, you should first of all feel the pulse.
Second important reason short-term sudden loss of consciousness in the elderly may be a narrowing or occlusion of the artery supplying the brain. There are three possible pathogenetic mechanism of these disorders: "spasm", embolization of a small rapidly collapsing thrombus, exposure to pre-existing stenosis large vessels that feed the brain. Spasm seems to be a rather dubious cause of cerebrovascular accident, perhaps, excluding cases of a hypertensive crisis or migraine. In the presence of vertebral stenosis or carotid arteries the cause of a short-term loss of consciousness may be small emboli emanating from the stenotic site, or any factors that reduce systemic arterial pressure, which leads to a critical decrease in blood flow through the narrowed vessel. Syncope caused by these causes can be distinguished from simple postural syncope by the presence of focal cerebral symptoms. With circulatory disorders in the carotid artery system, there is usually a loss of vision on the side of the vascular lesion (“transient amaurosis”) or hemiparesis on the opposite side. Dizziness, imbalance, hemianopsia, diplopia are characteristic of circulatory disorders in the vertebrobasilar system.
There are two more syndromes in which the cause of loss of consciousness is insufficiency of the vertebrobasilar circulation: "Sistine Chapel Syndrome" and "Subclavian Steal Syndrome". In the first of these, fainting occurs against the background of overextension of the neck, when the blood flow through the atheromatous altered vertebral arteries decreases. In its classic form, this syndrome occurs in older tourists in Rome when they view Michelangelo's frescoes on the dome of the Sistine Chapel. With stenosis subclavian artery proximal to the origin vertebral artery the blood flow in the vertebral artery may become retrograde, supplying the arm (steal syndrome). This syndrome is characterized by a sudden short-term loss of consciousness, sometimes in combination with other symptoms of vertebrobasilar insufficiency, which occurs most often with vigorous work of the affected upper limb. Finally, instantaneous loss of consciousness as a result of narrowing of the vessels supplying the brain occurs with aortic stenosis. Such loss of consciousness is usually observed during physical exertion, it may be preceded by anginal pain.
Considering the causes of sudden loss of consciousness, especially in children, one should always remember the possibility of "small" seizures of epilepsy. These seizures can be distinguished from other forms of short-term loss of consciousness by the lack of connection with the position of the body and the ultra-short, instantaneous duration of the seizure. "Small" epileptic seizure it is so short that the patient maintains an upright position and does not have time to realize that something unusual has happened to him, he can only drop what he was holding during the seizure in his hand. Some patients, especially those with temporal lobe epilepsy, may experience sensory hallucinations or a "deja vu" sensation, and during a seizure they may notice instantaneous movements of the muscles of the face, eyes, or limbs. These movements can be both convulsive and arbitrary.
The table lists the information that should be obtained from a witness who observed sudden loss consciousness.

Loss of consciousness- this is a condition that is conditioned by a transient dysfunction of cerebral blood flow, causing tissue hypoxia. It manifests itself in the loss of a person's awareness of reality, the disappearance of reflexes, the lack of response to stimulation from the outside (deafening sounds, pinches, pats on the cheeks), inhibition of the ganglionic nervous system. The parsed state is often a sign various pathologies or may be associated with certain ailments. There are many reasons for the disappearance of consciousness.

Sudden loss of consciousness is characterized by neurogenic etiology (epilepsy or stroke) or somatogenic (hypoglycemia, cardiac dysfunction) genesis. In addition, it is short-lived or stable.

Causes of loss of consciousness

- orthostatic, manifested by a sharp adoption of a vertical position, taking some pharmacopoeial drugs;

- occur due to increased susceptibility of the carotid sinus;

- appear due to squeezing inside the breasts (appears with frequent nighttime urination, coughing, defecation acts).

Hyperventilation syncope occurs due to a feeling of fear, anxiety. Its mechanism is due to uncontrolled acceleration and deepening of breathing.

Below are typical signs and symptoms of loss of consciousness. Before falling into an unconscious state, the individual often feels an attack of dizziness, nausea, a veil appears, flies before the eyes, the subject hears a ringing, sudden weakness occurs, and occasionally a yawn. Limbs may also give way and a feeling of impending fainting may appear.

To characteristic symptoms described condition include: cold sweat, fading of the skin, although individuals a slight blush may remain. After falling into an insensible state, the epidermis of the individual acquires an ashy hue, the frequency of myocardial contractions can either increase or decrease, the pulse is characterized by a small fullness, muscle tone is reduced. During the stay of an individual in a fainting state, his pupils are dilated, they react slowly to light. Reflexes are often weakly expressed or absent altogether. Symptoms of short-term loss of consciousness persist for no more than two seconds.

Prolonged loss of consciousness is characterized by an unconscious state lasting more than five minutes. This condition is often accompanied by convulsions and involuntary urination.

Usually, doctors distinguish three phases of loss of consciousness: pre-syncope, fainting directly, post-syncoping state.

The state preceding the loss of consciousness is characterized by the appearance of precursors. This state lasts up to twenty seconds. It is manifested by the following symptoms: nausea, lack of air, severe dizziness, weakness, a feeling of heaviness in the lower extremities, pallor of the dermis, cold sweat, numbness of the extremities, slower breathing, weak pulse, pressure drop, darkening and the appearance of "flies" in the eyes, grayness of the skin, the patient may feel ringing. In some patients, along with the symptoms being analyzed, there is also anxiety or a feeling of fear, palpitations, yawning, a feeling like a lump in the throat, numbness of the tip of the tongue, fingers, lips. Quite often the loss of consciousness does not come, and the attack comes to the end on the listed symptoms. Especially when taken by the patient immediately after the appearance of the first harbinger of a horizontal position. Very rarely, fainting is characterized by suddenness, in other words, it occurs in the absence of previous precursors. For example, when various violations myocardial rhythm. The feeling of loss of consciousness and "floating away from under the feet of the earth" are the final sign of the phase in question.

The stage of fainting itself has such signs of loss of consciousness: unconsciousness, shallow breathing, lowering muscle tone, weakness of neurological reflexes, sometimes convulsions. The pupils are dilated, the reaction to light is reduced. The pulse is rather weak or not palpable at all.

While in an insensible state, the epidermis acquires pallor, ashen or greenish tint, the limbs are cold to the touch, the pressure decreases (indicator systolic pressure reaches 60 mm Hg and below), the pupils are dilated, they react poorly to light, breathing becomes superficial (sometimes it seems that the person is not breathing at all), the pulse is rather weak, thready, reflexes decrease. If after twenty seconds blood circulation in the brain is not restored, then involuntary urination and defecation may occur, and convulsions are also possible.

The post-fainting stage is characterized by the persistence of general weakness against the background of the return of consciousness. In this case, a sharp adoption of a horizontal position can give rise to a new attack.

After a full return of consciousness, patients have no disorientation in time, self and space. The first reaction to fainting is fright. Therefore, breathing and heart rate increase. People feel tired, feel overwhelmed, often appear in epigastric region unpleasant sensations. People do not remember the middle phase of the insensible state. Their last memories relate to the first stage, that is, the deterioration of well-being.

Brief loss of consciousness

A sudden fall into an insensible state always provokes stress in people, since their brain associates the phenomenon in question with a life-threatening disorder or imminent death. Loss of consciousness mainly occurs due to deficiency of O2 in the brain tissues. Since this body rather intensive metabolic exchange and need for consumption huge amount oxygen, then a slight decrease in the oxygen content causes disturbances in consciousness.

The brain regulates the functioning of the body. It can also turn off organs that are on this moment he considers them insignificant for the life of the organism, and to help vital organs, for example, the heart. Turning off consciousness, the brain, as it were, disconnects individual oxygen consumers from the chain in order to reduce the body's energy consumption. The consequence of this is muscle weakness, dizziness and loss of consciousness, in which the body assumes a horizontal position, becomes completely immobilized, which allows the body to direct blood flow to the neurons of the brain. As a result of this mechanism, the individual quickly returns to consciousness.

A short-term loss of consciousness can be neurogenic, somatogenic and extreme.

In turn, neurogenic syncope is caused by a variety of factors and is divided into the following types, namely, reflex syncope, emotional, associative, dyscirculatory, maladjustment.

Reflex syncope is provoked by an increase in the tension of the parasympathetic nervous system, a decrease in pressure due to the rapid expansion of capillaries, which reduces the blood supply to the brain tissue. This type of fainting occurs mainly in a standing position. Reflex unconsciousness can occur due to exposure to stressors, a sudden sensation of pain (more often in young people). In addition, the considered variation of fainting often occurs with rapid movement from a horizontal position to the vertical torso of a person, with a long stay in a horizontal position, defecation, urination, while eating (mainly in the elderly).

Emotional loss of consciousness occurs due to a sharp emotional outburst, fright. More often seen with neurotic states. Often, emotionally unstable individuals experience palpitations, a feeling of heat and difficulty breathing against the background of a frightening event. There may also be a feeling of loss of consciousness.

Associative syncope occurs if the subject has a memory of past pathogenic situations associated with loss of consciousness.

Dyscirculatory unconsciousness is caused by a transient spasm of the brain capillaries, which deprives a certain segment of the brain of oxygen for a short period. The most commonly described variety of the insensible state is found in subjects suffering from vascular dystonia, migraines, hypertensive crisis.

A maladaptive loss of consciousness appears when an individual stays in a hot room, in an environment with reduced or high content oxygen.

Cardiogenic syncope occurs due to cardiac pathology, for example, with valvular disease, insufficient blood ejection, arrhythmias.

Sudden loss of consciousness of a somatogenic nature is associated with dysfunction of some organs. Therefore, it can be of cardiogenic origin, hypoglycemic, anemic and respiratory.

Anemic syncope occurs as a result of significant blood loss, in particular, quantitative loss of erythrocytes, which are the main carriers of O2.

Hypoglycemic unconsciousness is observed in a situation of sudden rapid decline blood sugar, which is the main nutrient brain.

Respiratory syncope is caused by a disorder of the respiratory system.

Weakness loss of consciousness of extreme genesis occurs due to exposure to various external factors. It happens:

- intoxication, by inhalation of various toxic gases;

- medication, due to the use of pharmacopoeial agents that reduce the tone of capillaries;

- hyperbaric, due to high pressure in respiratory system due to increased numbers of atmospheric pressure;

Fainting and loss of consciousness, what's the difference

Both of these phenomena are not uncommon, but it is quite difficult for an untrained person to determine whether an individual has fainted or lost consciousness. The average layman does not have the proper knowledge, therefore, he cannot notice the difference between fainting and loss of consciousness.

So, a faint is called a sudden, short-term loss of reason, due to a transient insufficiency of the capillaries of the brain. In other words, the brain feels a lack of oxygen due to poor blood flow. The described state comes as a result of a sharp oxygen starvation. It is accompanied by inhibition of reflexes, a decrease in the frequency of myocardial contractions, and a decrease in pressure.

Loss of consciousness is a long-term disorder in which there is a lack of reflexes and depression of the ganglionic nervous system. The violation in question is dangerous with the possibility of going into a coma.

Below are the main characteristics of loss of consciousness and fainting.

Absolutely all individuals can fall into a state of syncope or fainting, regardless of their age differences, gender and physical condition. A short syncope often occurs with fright, in stuffy room due to lack of air, during menstruation, during gestation, with a sudden decrease in pressure, due to an overdose medicines or abuse of alcohol-containing liquids, with excessive physical exertion, hunger strike or improper diet. Each of the above factors provokes the outflow of blood from the brain tissue, which gives rise to a short-term oxygen starvation neurons.

The main signs of syncope (fainting) are the following: a slight clouding of the mind, noise that occurs in the ears, yawning, dizziness, cooling of the limbs, blanching or cyanosis of the dermis, profuse sweating, decreased muscle tension, nausea, pressure drop, unpleasant feeling in the mouth, dilated pupils. Falling into a faint looks from the side as if a person is gradually settling on the floor. Disabling consciousness does not occur instantly and can last up to 120 seconds.

Loss of consciousness is a prolonged syncope due to severe deficit oxygen in brain cells.

Among the factors that give rise to the violation in question, the following are distinguished: impaired blood flow through the capillaries caused by thrombosis, arrhythmia, narrowing of the lumen of the blood capillaries, embolism, venous congestion, insufficiency of cardiac output, a decrease in sugar concentration, an overdose of insulin, epilepsy, concussion, pathologies of the nervous system, chronic ailments pulmonary system, osteochondrosis of the cervical segment, intoxication of the body with various toxic agents, such as: nicotine, carbon monoxide, alcohol-containing substances.

In the unconscious state, the individual lies motionless. He has no reactions to external stimuli, the muscles of the body are relaxed, due to which involuntary urination or defecation is possible, the photosensitivity of the pupils is reduced. Skin cyanosis of the skin, cyanosis of the nails due to impaired breathing and oxygen deficiency are also noted.

First aid for loss of consciousness

Noticing that the individual is losing consciousness, in the first turn, it is recommended to provide first aid and take actions to prevent the occurrence of bruises and head injuries. Then the etiological factor of syncope should be eliminated. For example, if an individual is turned off due to heat, then the temperature in the room must be lowered by opening the windows. You can try to return a person to consciousness through external stimuli (spraying the face cold water, patting on the cheeks, irritation with ammonia).

Loss of consciousness first aid should exclude commotion and unnecessary fuss. will only make the situation worse.

If an individual has an ordinary faint, then the elimination of the factor that gave rise to such a state will quickly return the person to reason. In fainting, loss of consciousness occurs due to a violation of the blood supply to the brain. Therefore, the restoration of normal blood circulation is the main task of people providing assistance. To return blood flow to normal condition lay down the victim. In this case, his body should be placed on the same level with his head. This means that, contrary to the popular opinion of the inhabitants, nothing needs to be placed under the head, and even more so, it should not be thrown back. Since the vascular tone is reduced, raising the head will lead to the outflow of blood from the brain cells and the restoration of the blood supply to the brain will not happen.

Assistance with loss of consciousness usually differs little from measures to bring a person out of a faint. The patient must be removed from the area of ​​influence of damaging factors, his clothes should be unbuttoned to provide air access, laid horizontally, it is not recommended to shake or try to lift the patient. If nosebleeds occur, the individual should be laid on their side. It is impossible to give water to a person who is insensible, since his reflexes, including swallowing, are absent. The patient may choke if you try to force him to drink. If the individual has not regained consciousness after one hundred and twenty seconds, then he must be hospitalized.

Fainting rarely occurs suddenly. Often it follows pre-syncope symptoms, which include rapidly increasing nausea, dizziness, tinnitus and blurred vision. All of the above is observed against the background of general weakness. Sometimes there may be yawning, sweating. The human epidermis acquires a waxy pallor. After that, relaxation of the muscles is noted, the individual turns off and settles. From the moment of discovery of the first signs feeling unwell before the fall, most often, no more than sixty seconds pass. Therefore, loss of consciousness, first aid should begin immediately after the appearance of debut precursors. Indeed, often the etiological factor is unknown.

It is impossible for an individual who has regained consciousness to independently give medications, in particular, nitroglycerin for complaints of cardiac algia. Since such actions can generate a drop in pressure, which will cause repeated fainting. Often, loss of consciousness occurs against the background of a sharp drop in pressure, in which any nitrate-containing substances are completely contraindicated.

Loss of consciousness is considered a rather threatening symptom, indicating the presence of a serious pathology in the body. Therefore, assistance with loss of consciousness should be provided immediately. A person assisting with a loss of consciousness does not have time to panic. After all, any delay often carries a serious threat to the life of the victim.

Diagnosing loss of consciousness is not difficult. Suffice it to note the presence of such phenomena as the lack of response to external stimuli, including pain, complete immobility, excluding convulsions. In this case, the definition of the etiological factor is often difficult.

In order to facilitate the task of diagnosing syncope, physicians use all known modern science research methods. The process of diagnosing begins with a study of the anamnesis, which makes it possible to identify the presence of pathologies that can cause loss of consciousness, to determine the use of pharmacopoeial drugs that lower blood pressure or affect the functioning of the nervous system, it turns out, if possible, a provoking phenomenon, for example, physical overstrain, rapid rise from a lying position , being in a stuffy room, heat.

From laboratory research First of all, blood sampling is carried out:

- for general analysis, which allows to detect the presence of anemia;

- to determine the concentration of glucose (this analysis allows you to establish the presence of hyper- or hypoglycemia);

- to identify indicators of blood saturation with O2 (helps to identify disorders that prevent normal oxygenation).

There are also various instrumental research:

- electrocardiogram, which allows to establish the presence of heart blockades and arrhythmias;

- a type of electrocardiogram - daily monitoring myocardial rhythm;

- ultrasound examination of the heart muscle, which helps to detect changes in the cardiac contractility of the heart, to establish the condition of the valves;

- dopplerography of carotid capillaries, which helps to establish barriers to blood flow;

— CT scan, allowing to identify brain pathologies;

- magnetic resonance imaging, aimed at establishing damaged segments of the brain tissue.

In order not to face in life with the violation in question, it is necessary to take preventive measures.

To prevent syncope, the ideal solution is regular physical exercises that optimize natural blood circulation and strengthen blood capillaries. At the same time, it must be taken into account that any load on the body, first of all, should be regulated and moderate. No need to try to break Olympic records in the first lesson. The key here is consistency, not intensity. In addition, the nightly promenade not only minimizes the risks of loss of consciousness, but also increases the overall resistance of the body. various ailments and stress.

Aromatherapy is also at the top of the list. preventive measures hostility. Regular aroma procedures help to get rid of convulsions, spasms, improve blood circulation, and saturate blood with O2.

In addition to the listed preventive measures, there are measures aimed at avoiding fainting when harbingers are felt. If suddenly there is numbness of the limbs, nausea, cold sweat, then you need to quickly take lying position, while raising your legs up, or sit down, lowering your head below the level of your knees. Then you should remove from the neck area any objects that interfere with free breathing (tie, scarf). After easing the condition, it is recommended to drink water or sweet tea.

Often people are concerned about what fainting and loss of consciousness are, what is the difference between these terms and how to provide the correct first aid to a person who is unconscious.

Characteristics of loss of consciousness

Loss of consciousness is a condition in which the body does not respond to external stimuli and is unaware of the surrounding reality. There are several types of unconsciousness:


Thus, it turns out that fainting is one of the varieties of loss of consciousness.

Causes of loss of consciousness

The main causes of loss of consciousness are:

  • overwork;
  • strong pain;
  • stress and emotional upheaval;
  • dehydration of the body;
  • hypothermia or overheating of the body;
  • lack of oxygen;
  • nervous tension.

Knowing the reasons for fainting and loss of consciousness, what is the difference between these conditions, you can properly provide first aid.

Brain damage that causes loss of consciousness can be caused by direct exposure to poisoning, hemorrhage) or indirect (bleeding, fainting, shock, suffocation, metabolic disorders).

Types of loss of consciousness

There are several types of unconsciousness:

Any manifestations of violations of the functioning of body systems can be fainting and loss of consciousness. The difference in severity of symptoms depends on the duration of unconsciousness and the presence of additional injuries.

Clinical picture of loss of consciousness

In an unconscious state, the victim is observed:

Knowing what symptoms fainting and loss of consciousness manifest, what is the difference between them and how to properly provide first aid, you can prevent the death of the victim, especially if he has no breathing and cardiac activity. Since timely cardiopulmonary resuscitation can restore the functioning of these systems and bring a person back to life.

First aid for loss of consciousness

First of all, you need to eliminate possible reasons loss of consciousness - remove the person to fresh air if there is a smell of smoke or gas in the room or the action electric current. After that you need to release Airways. In some cases, it may be necessary to clean the mouth with a tissue.

If a person does not have heart contractions and breathing, it is urgent to start cardiopulmonary resuscitation. After the restoration of cardiac activity and breathing, the victim must be taken to a medical facility. When transporting with the victim, there must be an accompanying person.

If there are no problems with breathing and heart function, you need to increase blood flow to the brain. To do this, the victim must be laid in such a way that the head is slightly lower than the level of the body (if there is a head injury or nose bleed, this item cannot be performed!).

Loosen clothing (untie tie, unbutton shirt, belt) and open window to allow airflow fresh air This will increase the supply of oxygen. You can bring a piece of cotton wool to the victim's nose with ammonia, in most cases it helps to return him to a conscious state.

Important! If the duration of unconsciousness exceeds 5 minutes, urgent medical attention is needed.

Knowing how fainting differs from loss of consciousness, you can provide the victim with the correct first aid.

Syncope characteristic

Fainting is a short-term loss of consciousness caused by a lack of oxygen due to impaired blood supply to the brain. A short-term loss of consciousness does not pose a danger to human life and health and often does not require medical intervention. The duration of this state is from several seconds to several minutes. Fainting can be caused by: pathological conditions body:

  • violations nervous regulation vessels at abrupt change position (transition from horizontal to vertical position) or when swallowing;
  • with a decrease cardiac output- stenosis pulmonary arteries or aorta, angina attacks, cardiac arrhythmias, myocardial infarction;
  • with a decrease in the concentration of oxygen in the blood - anemia and hypoxia, especially when climbing great height(Where is or stay in a stuffy room.

The causes of fainting and loss of consciousness must be known in order to be able to distinguish between these conditions and provide necessary for a person first aid.

The clinical picture of fainting

Fainting is a characteristic manifestation of some diseases. Therefore, with frequent fainting, it is imperative to see a doctor and undergo an examination to identify pathological processes in the body.

Fainting is a short-term loss of consciousness caused by a lack of oxygen due to a violation of the blood supply to the brain. The main symptoms of fainting are nausea and a feeling of stuffiness, ringing in the ears, darkening of the eyes. At the same time, the person begins to turn pale, his muscles weaken and his legs give way. With loss of consciousness, both an increase in the pulse rate and its slowdown are characteristic.

In a fainting state, a person’s heart tones weaken, pressure drops, all neurological reflexes are significantly weakened, so convulsions or seizures may occur. involuntary urination. Loss of consciousness and fainting are mainly characterized by the victim's lack of perception of the surrounding reality and what is happening to him.

First aid for fainting

When a person faints, it is possible because his muscles weaken. To prevent this, it is necessary to turn the person on his side and call ambulance, since it is quite difficult to independently determine the cause of this condition.

First aid for fainting and loss of consciousness makes it possible to support the vital functions of the victim's body until the ambulance arrives. In most cases, first aid avoids death.

Without proper examination to detect exact reason fainting is impossible. Since it can be a consequence and pathological process in the body, and ordinary overwork or nervous tension.

Fainting and loss of consciousness. What is the difference between these concepts?

Having understood the features of the unconscious state of the body, we can conclude that loss of consciousness is general concept. It includes many different manifestations. Fainting is one of them and is a short-term loss of consciousness, which is observed as a result of oxygen starvation of the brain.

Among the most common causes loss of consciousness experts distinguish:

Sudden oxygen deprivation. Such situations often arise during a long stay in a stuffy room, with prolonged immobility (passengers in vehicles, soldiers in the ranks, children in the choir, etc.), with getting up abruptly from a chair, bed, due to wearing a tight collar, with sharp turn neck.

What to do? For starters, don't be scared. Such fainting is purely reflex, regulatory in nature, when, in response to a sudden outflow of blood into lower limbs and the resulting oxygen starvation, our brain, like a computer, switches to a maintenance mode. If you have already fainted more than once, try to avoid situations that provoke it: do not stand for a long time, do not get up abruptly, etc.

Drop in blood pressure. This development could lead to severe blood loss, shocks of various origins, thermal shock and other critical conditions. Often, hypotensive patients also faint - owners of abnormally low blood pressure (below 100/60 mm Hg in men and 95/60 in women).

What to do? The most effective preventive and remedy is vascular training. These procedures include cold and hot shower, dousing with cold water, bath or sauna, massage and hydromassage. But, resorting to them, you need to observe a sense of proportion. Isometric exercises are also useful, which include a carpal expander, which trains the support reflex in the body.

Decreased blood sugar. We are talking about hypoglycemia, in which the glucose level is below 2.8 mmol / l. Mild hypoglycemia is not life-threatening, but urgent action must be taken to prevent the condition from worsening.

What to do? it is urgent to normalize or increase blood sugar. At the first of its symptoms (an acute feeling of hunger, sweating, trembling in the limbs, deterioration of vision - especially at dusk, etc.), you should immediately take 20-30 g of pure sugar or other rapidly absorbed carbohydrates.

If you are a diabetic, it is best to take 3-4 sugar cubes or a small packet of juice with you when leaving the house (unlike other carbohydrate foods, refined sugar is absorbed the fastest).

Heart rhythm disturbances (faster or slower). Cardiac arrhythmias that occur against the background of emotional and, experts consider the most dangerous cause sudden attacks of loss of consciousness, which can result in cardiac arrest.

What to do? Undergo an examination, which includes, in addition to the usual electrocardiogram, a daily ECG recording (the so-called Holter monitoring), a test with physical activity(on a bicycle ergometer or treadmill), ultrasound examination of the heart.

It may also be necessary to conduct an electrophysiological study of the heart and a number of other special tests. It is better to do them in a specialized clinic or center where they are familiar with the problem fainting and sudden cardiac death.

(obsolete medical name Syncope is a condition characterized by loss of consciousness and a drop in blood pressure. The metabolism slows down, sudden weakness and stupefaction occurs. Fainting can last from a few seconds to tens of minutes.

In most cases, fainting is caused by a sudden decrease in metabolism in the brain, impaired cerebral circulation the brain stops getting enough oxygen. Although the brain does not function at full capacity, the main vital functions decrease, but do not disappear completely. The patient is breathing, the heart is beating.

Loss of consciousness may be caused by various diseases. Sometimes fainting occurs by coincidence - fatigue, stuffiness, long fasting.

Before fainting, there is always a pre-fainting state, which can also last from a few seconds to several minutes. In some cases, it is enough for the patient to sit or lie down, relax the collar, to avoid fainting.

Pre-fainting is characterized by the following symptoms:

  • pulsation in the temples;
  • shortness of breath - a subjective feeling of lack of oxygen;
  • increased sweating;
  • sensation of heat in the whole body;
  • nausea, dizziness;
  • tachycardia, feeling of rapid heartbeat;
  • appearance dark spots before your eyes.

If the patient fails to sit down, then he faints. In most cases, patients quickly recover without assistance (although this does not mean that it does not need to be provided). Sometimes after fainting there are other unpleasant symptoms, such as jitter and involuntary twitching limbs, urge to urinate.

Causes of fainting

There are several physiological reasons which can lead to short-term loss of consciousness. Let's consider some of them.

  1. Disorders in the work of the autonomic nervous system. This system is responsible for vascular tone. In case of failures, it cannot correctly give commands to the vessels, they are sharply reduced, loss of consciousness occurs. This is the main cause of syncope of a neurogenic nature - the most frequent syncope.
  2. Diseases of cardio-vascular system. They are the cause of the so-called. cardiogenic syncope. The heart does not work well enough, the vessels narrow, which leads to cerebral hypoxia.
  3. Atherosclerosis and vascular disease. This also includes ischemic attacks and strokes.
  4. Raise intracranial pressure. Occurs as a result of certain diseases - a tumor, congenital hydrocephalus, or against the background of cerebral hemorrhage and after head trauma.
  5. Decrease in blood glucose, decrease in oxygen concentration in tissues. Such conditions occur with diabetes, anemia, kidney and liver failure.
  6. As a result of a decrease in the volume of fluid circulating in the body. May be the result of bleeding, diarrhea, or other excess fluid loss.
  7. Poisoning with toxins: carbon monoxide, ethyl alcohol and others.
  8. As a result of various psychological and psychiatric diseases. For example, with neurosis, anxiety common symptom is hyperventilation. The body tries to control the oxygen content, which leads to vascular spasm. In such cases, patients need to learn breathing techniques.

There are others the reasons: infectious diseases, traumatic brain injury, epileptic seizures. In each individual case, it is necessary to undergo an examination to find out why fainting occurs.

If this is an isolated case, and before that there were no pathologies at medical examinations, you don’t have to worry. But if fainting recurs, you need to visit a neurologist.

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Varieties of fainting

The classification of syncope is based on the causes of loss of consciousness. There are three main types of fainting:

  • neurogenic;
  • cardiogenic;
  • hyperventilating.

Among neurogenic syncope, in turn, there are vasodepressor and orthostatic. The first - the most frequent, usually occur in fairly young patients in stuffiness, stress, fatigue, lack of nutrients.

Orthostatic syncope occurs with a sharp change in body position (usually with a sharp rise, standing up). It can also be caused by taking certain medications.

Cardiogenic loss of consciousness occurs when the heart rhythm is disturbed, may accompany a heart attack. On the cardiogenic syncope accounts for up to a quarter of all cases of loss of consciousness, especially among the elderly.

Hyperventilatory syncope occurs due to rapid breathing. This symptom is typical for panic attacks, anxiety attacks. Sometimes this condition is called a vegetative crisis.

Clinical picture

Fainting is different rapid development. Loss of consciousness occurs rapidly. Sometimes patients do not even have time to understand that something is wrong. In other cases, there are typical symptoms pre-fainting state.

Fainting state characterized by the following clinical manifestations:

  • lack of consciousness;
  • weak pulse;
  • reduced breathing rate (bradypnea);
  • lack of pupillary response to light;
  • the patient wakes up after 1-5 minutes (if the fainting lasts longer, this is serious);
  • after fainting, pallor, weakness persist;
  • some time after there is low blood pressure;
  • may experience dizziness and nausea.

In most cases, syncope develops when the patient is in an upright position. If the patient loses consciousness lying down, then it is necessary to suspect a serious somatic pathology.

Diagnostic measures

Diagnostics begin with initial appointment at the neurologist. First, the doctor will try to find out under what circumstances, under the influence of what provoking factors, loss of consciousness develops. To establish the final diagnosis, a series of instrumental examinations will be required.

So, if fainting of a cardiogenic nature is suspected, the patient is sent for ECG, ECHO-cardiography, and also for a consultation with a cardiologist. If there is a suspicion of epilepsy, then an electroencephalogram is done. It is also customary to take a blood sample for 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 CT and / or MRI are prescribed, as well as a study of blood vessels.

Treatment carried out on an outpatient basis, it is enough to undergo an examination and receive medical appointments.

First aid for fainting

It is important to know how to provide first aid in case of loss of consciousness.

  • The patient must be laid on his back with the elevated position of the lower extremities.
  • Unbutton the collar, loosen the tie, remove the scarf, provide fresh air.
  • To speed up the return to consciousness, you can sprinkle the patient with cold water. For the same purposes, it is recommended to use ammonia.

If the patient does not recover within 2-3 minutes, an ambulance should be called. With prolonged fainting, even after regaining consciousness, the patient may experience some dysfunction.

The treatment of fainting should be carried out by qualified specialists. Neurologists of the CELT clinic are ready to spend the entire necessary diagnostics and set the maximum effective treatment. Modern equipment and highly qualified doctors are the guarantee of patients' health.
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