Vasovagal syncope: the main manifestations, diagnosis and treatment

sudden loss of consciousness due to a sharp expansion of blood vessels and slowing heart rate is called vasovagal syncope. In this case, the disease itself does not pose a serious danger to the patient, except for traumatism in the fall. Attacks begin in childhood, tend to continue in the future. The treatment of vasovagal syncope is aimed at stabilizing the work of the central nervous system, changing the way of life.

Causes

vasovagal attack associated with a variety of human conditions and diseases:

• prolonged sun exposure and heat, leading to vasodilation, blood pressure drops( see Sunstroke.);
• overeating or exhaustion, which is due to the distribution of blood in the body or lack of nutrients, respectively;
• excessive drinking, smoking, taking drugs;
• chronic fatigue, poor sleep;
• depression or chronic stress;
• organic diseases of the heart, blood vessels;
• tumor processes in the body, leading to exhaustion.

Most of these causes lead to a decrease in the body's resistance to external environmental factors, which as a result affects the state of the central nervous system, namely its vegetative department. This part of the central nervous system controls the work of internal organs, including the heart and blood vessels. As a result of such disorders, the lumen of the blood vessels changes, which leads to a drop in blood pressure and a decrease in the heart rate.

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main manifestations of vasovagal syncope vasovagal syncope

The appearance is always accompanied by the following symptoms:

1. nausea, excessive sweating, tinnitus, blackout. Manifestations appear in the patient before fainting and are his forerunners.
2. Blurred skin due to a drop in blood pressure.
3. Reduction in blood pressure, heart rate before and during loss of consciousness.
4. A vasovaginal attack occurs in the patient in an upright position. In this regard, the adoption of a horizontal position with the appearance of precursors of fainting allows a person to retain consciousness.

The occurrence of any of these symptoms more than once should be the reason for contacting your doctor and conducting diagnostic activities.

diagnostic methods in relation to the nature of the causes of vasovagal syncope, the most important in the diagnosis have a physical examination of the patient, medical history. It is important to identify the profession of a person, to learn in detail about the diet and frequency of nutrition, the drugs used, the transferred and existing diseases.

During external examination pay attention to the color of the skin and visible mucous membranes, respiratory rate and evaluate heart rate, identify heart sounds and breath sounds. Overall

and biochemical blood test did not have high specificity and may indicate only concomitant diseases: anemia( decreased red blood cell count and hemoglobin), inflammation( increased leukocyte and erythrocyte sedimentation rate).

To clarify the diagnosis and search for organic disorders, perform an instrumental examination:

• electrocardiography: allows to evaluate the work of the heart, contractions of the myocardium, to reveal a rhythm disturbance;
• Holter monitoring for 24 hours or more is aimed at diagnosing "hidden" cardiac dysfunction, allows to evaluate its functioning in the periods before and during fainting;
• echocardiography in most cases does not reveal any abnormalities;
• special orthostatic tests, consisting in a sharp transfer of the patient from the horizontal to the vertical position, are aimed at analyzing the work of the autonomic nervous system.

Methods for treatment of vasovaginal syncope

Treatment of vasovagal syncope involves both lifestyle changes and the use of medication. Patients are recommended a number of simple actions to prevent the development of loss of consciousness:

• to drink two or more liters of water per day to maintain adequate volume of circulating blood;
• to exclude from life psychic, physical stress factors;
• normalize sleep, give up strong tea and coffee;
• visit a psychotherapist or engage in auto-training;
• with varicose veins and edema on the legs shows the use of compression linen, which allows to return stagnant blood to the central blood stream. Such orthopedic knitwear is chosen by the attending physician.

In the presence of vascular diseases, patients after the consultation of a doctor prescribe medicines:

• alpha-adrenomimetics( Prazosin): cause narrowing of peripheral vessels, normalize the blood pressure level in the patient;
• beta-blockers( Metaprolol, Nebivolol): allow to normalize the work of the heart, reduce the impact of stress hormones( adrenaline, noradrenaline).

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In case of cardiac rhythm disturbance( sinus node weakness syndrome, different types of atrioventricular blockade), surgical treatment is used in the form of implantation of the pacemaker. This display operation in the following situations:

1. The patient is over 40 years old.
2. Vasovagal syncope occurs very often.
3. Before fainting, his precursors are absent( nausea, dizziness, darkness in the eyes).
4. With the removal of the ECG during an attack, there is a stop of cardiac activity.

Despite external harmlessness, vasovagal fainting can lead to craniocerebral injury and other traumatic injuries. When you have attacks, you need to contact your doctor. It is he who will conduct an external examination, appoint additional diagnostic methods, and select rational treatment.