Collapse (medical)

Collapse (Medical)

Collapse is defined as a sudden and oftentimes unforeseen decrease in postural tone, leading to physical weakness or prostration. This may be accompanied by loss of consciousness. In instances where the loss of consciousness is evident, this condition is specifically termed as syncope.

Etiology

The underlying causes of collapse can be broadly categorized as follows:

• Cardiac Causes: These are typically the most critical triggers of collapse. Examples include:

 * Irregular heart beat: Sudden alterations in the heart rhythm can cause a transient reduction in blood flow to the brain.
 * Low blood pressure: A decline in systemic blood pressure can decrease cerebral perfusion leading to collapse.
 

• Seizures: Seizure activity, especially those involving the entire brain, can lead to a transient loss of consciousness and postural tone.

• Psychological Causes: Stressors or intense emotional reactions can precipitate what's commonly known as a "psychogenic" or "vasovagal" syncope.

Diagnostic Approach

Identifying the exact cause of collapse is paramount for effective management and prevention of future episodes. The following steps are instrumental in achieving an accurate diagnosis:

• History Taking: A detailed account of the events leading up to, during, and following the collapse is vital. This history should be gathered from both the patient and any available witnesses.
• Physical Examination: This can offer clues about possible triggers or underlying conditions.
• Diagnostic Tests: While many tests can be conducted, their diagnostic yield may vary. They serve to either confirm or refute the suspected causes identified from the history and physical exam.

Investigations

Though many diagnostic tools are available, not all patients require extensive testing. The choice of tests is typically driven by the clinical scenario and the suspected underlying etiology.

References

Collapse (medical) Resources
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Portions of content adapted from Wikipedia's article on Collapse (medical) which is released under the CC BY-SA 3.0.