The condition related to temporary loss of consciousness is called syncope. Dr. Luigi Pierre Segundo, cardiac-electrophysiologist explains on Radyo Klinika at DWIZ 882 AM that syncope could occur when the blood flow to the brain from the heart is low or insufficient. When the heart doesn’t pump the necessary supply of oxygen to the brain, or when the blood pressure is too low, this can result to fainting of the patient.
Heat exhaustion, dehydration due to excessive sweating, diarrhea or vomiting, prolonged standing which causes pooling of blood in the legs, severe activity like exercise, too much pain and emotional stress, can cause syncope. Rapid changes in blood pressure and changes in the heartbeat (arrhythmia or rapid heartbeat) can also be a reason for fainting, according to Segundo. Heart, metabolic, lung disorders, neurologic and psychiatric problems can also be factors in this condition.
Even some medicines can cause temporary loss of consciousness. Sublingual nitroglycerin, which is used to treat chest pain or angina and relaxes the blood vessels to help relieve the stress in the heart, can be fast acting and cause fainting.
Some drugs like anti-hypertensive drugs, nitrates, diuretics, arterial vasodilators, tranquilizers, psychotropic drugs and tricyclic antidepressants can cause loss of consciousness, too.
Segundo says that some people have a family history of syncope, or could have frequent episodes of syncope. If this situation becomes frequent, especially if this is related to the abnormal beating of the heart, this could lead to a heart attack.
But unlike a heart attack which requires chest compression or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), a person who experiences syncope should just lie down and have his clothes loosened, especially at the neck, chest and belly areas, according to Dr. Segundo. Immediate medical attention should also be given to the patient.
Prior to the syncope, a patient usually experiences some premonitory symptoms like weakness, paleness, cold sweating, nausea, dizziness, belching, yawning and blurring of vision. This usually happens when the patient is standing up. Within minutes after the fainting, the patient will recover. But it is important that the patient be brought to the nearest doctor or hospital.
Segundo recommends that a patient undergo testing to rule out any heart-related disease to the episodes of syncope. An electrocardiogram test can check if the patient has abnormal heart rate. An exercise stress test can also determine if the patient has heart problems.
If these tests are normal, the patient will have to undergo the tilt test wherein the blood pressure and heart rate will be measured while the patient is lying down, and when the board is tilted up. When the patient faints during the tilt, he could be experiencing neurally-mediated syncope, which is not heart related but has problems with the vagus nerve.
Vasovagal syncope can happen when there are malfunctions in the parts of the nervous system that regulates heartbeat and blood pressure. The typical triggers of this benign syncope are: prolonged standing or upright sitting, rising up quickly from a resting position, stress, dehydration, lack of sleep, hunger, severe pain, trauma, adrenaline rush, arousal in sex or tickling, exposure to high temperatures, use of illicit drugs and alcohol, low blood sugar and extreme fear.
People with benign syncope (or not heart related) should be on a higher-salt diet and drink fluids constantly to avoid dehydration and maintain blood volume. “But people with syncope related to high blood pressure or irregular heartbeat should avoid the high-salt diet. Plenty of fluids can help, but it is more important to see the doctor immediately so that the proper medications can be given to the patient,” said Segundo.
Radyo Klinika is a health program on DWIZ 882 KHZ AM which airs Tuesday to Friday, 7 to 8 p.m. It is a Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas Golden Dove awardee for Best Radio Magazine Program in 2016. Its host, Marou Pahati-Sarne, is a two-time KBP Golden Dove awardee for Best Radio Magazine Program host.