In classical literature, mention is often made of how, as a result of squeezing a corset or excessive excitement, ladies faint. The sensual way of education and the elements of clothing that make breathing difficult are a thing of the past. But fainting even today happens to people. What is the reason for this? How to recognize fainting conditions in a timely manner? What measures should be taken?
What is fainting?
In the language of doctors, this condition is called syncope. People usually say “fainting”, or “loss of consciousness”. This phenomenon is most often observed as a result of a short-term violation of the oxygen supply to the brain.
Fainting is not always a harbinger of serious illness. However, if a person often loses consciousness, it is necessary to consult a doctor. Only a doctor will be able to identify the causes of discomfort and timely find treatment.
Any loss of consciousness is preceded by fainting conditions. It is very important to be able to recognize them. After all, the measures taken in time will avoid fainting.
Causes of loss of consciousness
According to statistics, fainting is observed in almost a third of the population. Moreover, most often it is women who experience a fainting state.
The causes of loss of consciousness may be different. Doctors divide them into 3 groups:
- Neurogenic. Provoked by vascular pathologies or disorders in the nervous system.
- Somatogenic. Arising as a result of various pathologies of organs.
- Psychogenic. Caused by mental disorders.
At the heart of neurogenic syncope is a sharp change in pressure. It can be observed both in young people (after suffering stress) and in older persons (with sudden movements). Doctors believe that they can provoke a fainting state of a cause of the following nature:
- severe stress;
- Fright
- unpleasant sight of accident or blood;
- stuffiness;
- sharp pain;
- extreme heat;
- prolonged standing;
- tightly tied tie;
- sudden movements;
- pathologies affecting peripheral nerves (diabetes, anemia, large blood loss, alcoholism);
- long bed rest ;
- the use of certain drugs (nitrates, vasodilator drugs).
Somatogenic syncope provokes poor functioning of the heart. A failure in the rhythm of this organ leads to a violation of the blood supply to the brain. Most often, fainting conditions cause the following reasons:
- cardiac tamponade;
- atrial fibrillation;
- ventricular tachycardia.
Psychogenic syncope to this day is the topic of the most heated debate about their inclusion in the neurological classification. Most doctors believe that such a loss of consciousness is nothing more than a simulation.
Such phenomena are characterized by prolonged fainting conditions. They are accompanied by a feeling of growing weakness, lack of air, anxiety, fear. Often there is an alternation of loss of consciousness with recovery.
Characteristic symptoms
Any fainting develops very quickly. As a rule, precursors of an unpleasant state appear 15-60 seconds before unconsciousness. At this time, the person experiences a fainting state. Symptoms of the following are observed:
- the occurrence of severe weakness, a feeling of lightheadedness;
- sometimes irresistible yawning appears;
- heart palpitations;
- dizziness occurs;
- it darkens in the eyes, flies, circles flash;
- ringing in the ears;
- there is a strong ripple in the temples;
- cold sweat suddenly appears;
- a rush of heat is felt, accompanied by a filamentous rapid pulse;
- either a sharp blanching and an unfilled rare pulse;
- nausea appears;
- legs begin to buckle.
What happens next?
People who have already experienced a fainting state, symptoms that indicate loss of consciousness, determine accurately. Such signs and growing weakness cause a strong desire to lie down. In the absence of such an opportunity, a person begins to settle, after which he faints.
In this condition, the patient has:
- low breathing rate;
- weak pulse;
- lack of reaction of pupils to light;
- slight cramps and involuntary urination (in case of prolonged syncope).
Very rarely, loss of consciousness occurs suddenly. Most often, the forerunners indicated above indicate the development of an unpleasant situation.
It should be recalled once again that the pre-syncope state is rather short. What to do in this case? And how in such a short period of time to prevent loss of consciousness?
First aid
So, what needs to be done if a person near you loses consciousness? The most important thing is not to worry and calm down! And then you need to act. After all, only properly organized events can help.
First aid for loss of consciousness includes the following actions:
- Place the victim on a flat surface. To do this, use a table, floor or bench. Place a chair, books, pillows under the patient’s feet. They must be located above the body and head. Such an action will prevent fainting. Because it will provide the head with blood flow.
- The victim needs fresh air. If the patient is indoors, be sure to open the window.
- Fainting is often accompanied by vomiting. To prevent the masses from entering the airways, it is necessary to turn the patient’s head to the side.
- Unfasten items of clothing that make breathing difficult - collar, belt.
- Check the victim's pulse. In case of poor palpation, call a physician immediately.
- Use ammonia to bring the patient to life . Dampen a swab in it and bring it to the patient's nose at a distance of 1-2 cm.
- If there is no alcohol at hand, wipe the affected person's face with a damp cloth. You can sprinkle with cool water.
- Be sure to call an ambulance. Even if the patient quickly regained consciousness.
Getting up after a swoon is not recommended. Initially, you must sit down. And an attempt to get up can be made only 10-30 minutes after passing out. In this case, if the victim experiences dizziness, it is necessary to lie down again.
The doctor's consultation
After first aid is provided in case of loss of consciousness, the patient must consult a doctor. This will clarify the cause of this condition and prevent recurrence.
As a rule, the doctor prescribes the following examinations:
- electrocardiogram;
- echocardiogram;
- electroencephalography;
- glucose tolerance test;
- angiography of cerebral vessels.
If necessary, the patient is sent for consultation to:
- endocrinologist;
- cardiologist;
- to the oncologist.
Treatment depends on the cause of the disease. In most cases, no special therapy is required. Doctors say that most often a person needs:
- rest;
- getting rid of tight clothes;
- proper nutrition.
Some patients are recommended beta-blockers (drugs that improve the tone of blood vessels), an increase in dietary salt. In case of a feeling of fear of a second attack, the patient is sent for a consultation with a psychotherapist.
Loss of consciousness during pregnancy
Fainting and dizziness are the earliest and most common signs of a delicate condition. Expectant mothers, in order not to endanger their baby, need to learn to recognize symptoms that indicate a loss of consciousness.
A pre-syncope condition during pregnancy has several signs:
- noise in ears;
- blurred vision;
- dizziness;
- feeling of weakness in the legs;
- cold sweat;
- numbness of the limbs;
- general weakness;
- nausea;
- ripple in the temples;
- blanching.
Such conditions in the expectant mother can provoke the following reasons:
- low pressure;
- low blood sugar;
- overheating of the body;
- stale air;
- pressure on the vessels of the uterus;
- anemia;
- diabetes;
- pathology of the heart and blood vessels;
- stress and overwork;
- long standing position;
- physical exercise;
- a sharp change in body position;
- viral infection;
- strong odors.
Some women may experience frequent fainting as a result of an ectopic pregnancy or placental bleeding. Therefore, if the expectant mother is confused by any symptoms, be sure to tell your doctor about them.
What to do?
The rules for first aid for pregnant women are no different from those described above. After the woman regains consciousness, she is advised to give sweet tea with lemon, something to eat and be sure to lie down.
Doctors say that most often pregnant women need to raise low blood pressure to normal. Fainting is usually triggered by hypotension. To do this, you can use infusions and decoctions:
- rose hips;
- St. John's wort
- juniper;
- wild strawberries;
- yarrow.
The attending doctor, if necessary, will recommend oxygen therapy. Various physiotherapy procedures that can normalize blood pressure can be prescribed.
Conclusion
It is very important to recognize in time that impending weakness is a fainting state. The ability to anticipate it, understanding the cause, knowledge of the characteristic symptoms will help prevent loss of consciousness. But the most important thing is to avoid unpleasant injuries as a result of an unexpected fall.