What Are Your Treatment Options For Syncope?

Fainting, also known as syncope, is a momentary loss of consciousness and posture caused by a reduction in blood supply to the brain.

Fainting may be caused by a variety of situations. These include irregular heartbeats, seizures, low blood sugar, anemia, and issues with how the neurological system controls blood pressure. Some fainting disorders seem to run in families.

While fainting might signal a medical issue, it can also occur in apparently healthy people. Fainting is especially dangerous for the elderly, who might sustain major injuries from falls when they faint. Most episodes are just a few minutes long. In most circumstances, the person who has fainted regains full consciousness within a few minutes.

A physical examination is often used to diagnose vasovagal syncope. Your doctor will listen to your heart and assess your blood pressure during the physical exam. They may also massage the major arteries in your neck to check whether you feel dizzy.

Your doctor may also suggest a series of tests to rule out other potential reasons for your fainting, notably cardiac issues. Among these tests are:

• Electrocardiogram: This test captures the electrical impulses produced by your heart. It may identify abnormal heart rhythms as well as other cardiac issues. You may be required to wear a portable monitor for at least a day and up to a month.

• Echocardiogram: This test utilizes ultrasound imaging to examine the heart and check for disorders that might cause fainting, such as valve issues.

• Stress Test with Exercise: This test looks at cardiac rhythms while exercising. It is commonly done while walking or jogging on a treadmill.

• A Blood Test: Your doctor may check for illnesses that might cause or contribute to fainting episodes, such as anemia.

During the exam, you lay flat on your back on a rotating table that tilts you upward at different degrees. During the test, a technician will monitor your heart rhythms and blood pressure to determine whether adjusting your posture has any effect on them.

Treatment

Treatment is required in the majority of instances with vasovagal syncope. Your doctor may be able to assist you in identifying your fainting triggers and discussing measures to prevent them.

However, if you get vasovagal syncope often enough that it interferes with your quality of life, your doctor may advise you to try one or more of the following syncope treatment:

• Medications: Fludrocortisone acetate, which is often used to treat low blood pressure, may be useful in reducing vasovagal syncope. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are another option.

• Therapies: Your doctor may advise you on how to reduce blood pooling in your legs. Foot exercises, using compression stockings, or tensing your leg muscles while standing are examples. If you don’t generally have high blood pressure, you may need to increase your salt intake. Drink lots of water and avoid extended standing, particularly in hot, busy settings.

• Surgery: Inserting an electronic pacemaker to control the heartbeat may assist some persons with vasovagal syncope who have not responded to conventional therapies.

Slow Down and Take It Slowly

Use our expert philosophies from South Valley Neurology to live a better, more satisfying life. If you have chronic headaches or have suffered from a particular injury, you should see a neurologist to determine the precise reason for your fainting spell.