Explore Over 11,000+ Conditions, Medications, and Symptoms.

Get a personalized feed by signing up for free.

Recurrent Syncope

by Alike Medical Team ∙ Updated on June 13, 2023

Additional names

This group contains additional names: - Transient loss of consciousness - Fainting - Vasovagal syncope - Neurocardiogenic Syncope - Cardiogenic syncope - Vasovagal - Presyncope

General

Syncope is the medical term for fainting. It is an event of temporary loss of consciousness, which passes in a few moments with a full return to consciousness. The mechanism responsible for syncope occurrence is a sudden decrease in blood flow to the brain. There are 3 main types of syncope: *- Vasovagal syncope*: This is a non-alarming form of syncope, which occurs during stress, excitement or prolonged standing. *- Orthostatic syncope* This is a syncope that occurs due to a sharp drop in blood pressure, usually after a sudden change in posture (e.g. transition from sitting to standing). *- Cardiac syncope* - This is a worrying type of syncope, which results from dysfunction of the heart. There are other types of syncope as well. A syncope event requires a medical examination, as although the cause may be non-alarming, in some cases a cause that needs treatment will be discovered.

820 people with Recurrent Syncope are on Alike.

"Alike is the place to get answers from people who firsthand share your health challenges"

Signs & symptoms

Syncope manifests as a brief event of loss of consciousness. Recovery from syncope is rapid, and in a situation where recovery is slow and involves vague consciousness, a non-syncope condition should be suspected. In some cases of syncope, there is a phenomenon called pre-syncope, which heralds impending fainting and includes dizziness, blurring, weakness and visual disturbances.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of syncope requires examination of the possible causes that can cause it. Diagnosis begins with an examination by a doctor, who will be ask about the characteristics of the syncope and will perform a physical examination, including a blood pressure test. Additional tests that may be needed: *- blood tests* *- ECG test (electrocardiogram)* - A test of the electrical activity of the heart. *- Echocardiogram* - A cardiac imaging test *- Upright tilt test* – a test in which the change in blood pressure is tested after a rapid posture change.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause of the syncope. In many cases, the main treatment is to avoid the situations that cause syncope. In some cases, other treatment might be needed.

Note

☝ We provide information on prescription and over-the-counter medicines, diagnosis, procedures and lab tests. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Alike Wisdom

Instantly get answers to medical questions with our AI, built from the collective wisdom of our community facing similar experiences

You Might Also Like

Sudden Onset of Symptoms - Seeking Answers

Mine was diagnosed with a tilt table test. I don’t know if you could ask for additional testing? If you are **passing out** or having issues with positional changes that’s not normal. It took me months and multiple test to finally be diagnosed. They wanted to put me on anxiety meds telling me it was in my head, it wasn’t. Hang in there and keep advocating for yourself!

One person described their worst panic attack as happening in high school during a performance where they forgot the words to a song, felt and heard their heart beating, got very dizzy and their whole body went numb. Another person had a severe panic attack in a store where they couldn't breathe and felt so overwhelmed that they thought they were going to pass out. Someone else experienced a panic attack after a family argument which led to overthinking, crying, screaming, and hyperventilating. Another individual had to pull over while driving because their vision was blurred, their head felt like it was being squished from all angles and they felt like they were going to **pass out** or die.

Some suggestions for exercising with POTS include swimming, yoga, ground exercises, seated exercises like rowing, and using a stationary bike. These activities are less likely to cause **fainting** or a spike in heart rate. It's also important to pace yourself and gradually increase your activity level. Diet changes can also contribute significantly to weight loss. Consulting with a physical therapist or personal trainer who understands POTS could be beneficial as well.

Frustrated with Medical Gaslighting and Misdiagnosis

Several individuals have reported feeling dizzy or unsteady after taking hot showers. Some suggest that this could be due to the heat causing a drop in blood pressure, leading to dizziness. Others have mentioned conditions such as orthostatic hypotension, **vasovagal syndrome**, and mental health issues like anxiety and PTSD as potential causes. It's also suggested that the issue could be related to poor air circulation in the shower area. However, it's recommended to consult with a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

pp-logo

Alike is a transformative platform that goes beyond just bringing together patients; it meticulously connects individuals based on multiple critical factors, such as age, gender, comorbidities, medications, diet, and more, fostering a community of knowledge, support and empathy.

appStoreBtngooglePlayBtn

© 2020-2024 Alike, Inc