Syncope (medicine)

Syncope
Other names	Fainting, passing out
Pietro Longhi 027
A depiction of a person experiencing syncope
Specialty	Cardiology, neurology
Symptoms	Lightheadedness, sweating, pale skin, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, feeling warm, muscle twitching
Usual onset	Rapid onset, short duration, spontaneous recovery
Causes	Decreased blood flow to the brain, typically due to low blood pressure

Syncope, also known as fainting, is a loss of consciousness and muscle strength characterized by a fast onset, short duration, and spontaneous recovery. It is primarily caused by a decrease in blood flow to the brain, typically from low blood pressure.

Symptoms

Prior to the loss of consciousness, symptoms may include lightheadedness, sweating, pale skin, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, or feeling warm. Syncope may also be associated with a short episode of muscle twitching.

Presyncope

When consciousness and muscle strength are not completely lost, the condition is called presyncope. Despite the less severe symptoms, it is recommended that presyncope be treated the same as syncope due to the similar underlying causes.

Causes

The main cause of syncope is a decrease in blood flow to the brain. This can be due to a sudden drop in blood pressure, a severe irregular heart rhythm, or changes in blood volume or distribution. Certain conditions can also trigger syncope, such as standing for long periods, dehydration, or being in a hot environment.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of syncope begins with a detailed medical history and physical examination. Further tests, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, or tilt table test, may be required to identify the underlying cause.

Treatment

The treatment of syncope focuses on addressing the underlying cause. This could include medications, dietary changes, use of compression stockings, or in some cases, pacemaker or defibrillator implantation.

See Also

• Presyncope
• Blood pressure
• Cardiology
• Neurology

Syncope (medicine) Resources
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References