There are many dangerous processes that occur in the human body, which can have a significant destructive effect. But sometimes serious diagnoses are hidden behind a loss of consciousness, which may initially seem to be a consequence of weakness or exhaustion. In fact, there are many other more dangerous reasons that can lead to a similar outcome.
Orthostatic collapse
A similar condition is also defined as orthostatic hypotension. Such a diagnosis is used to indicate insufficient blood saturation of the brain, which was the result of a sharp change in body position. A similar reaction of the body can be observed in the case when a person stands for a long time. This condition contributes to the lethargy of the walls of blood vessels or low blood pressure.
Most often, this problem manifests itself in those whose vascular tone is weakened. Often, such a diagnosis is made to people at puberty, since during this period the development of the vascular system lags behind the constantly growing needs of the body.
What do the symptoms look like
There are several signs of a problem such as orthostatic collapse. Symptoms relevant for this diagnosis are as follows:
- dizziness;
- loss of consciousness;
- a feeling of emptiness or heaviness in the head;
- suddenly appeared weakness;
- the veil before the eyes or the flashing of flies;
- vomiting of central origin or nausea;
- if it is a severe case, then involuntary urination and the development of convulsive syndrome are possible.
Such a problem as orthostatic collapse, can develop against the background of impaired blood supply not only to the brain. In this case, you should pay attention to symptoms such as angina pectoris (signs of myocardial ischemia), pain in the neck muscles and a change in breathing.
The occurrence of such symptoms is possible both with a long stay in an upright position, and in the case of a sharp change in body position. Strong and sudden physical exertion can also lead to fainting. In some cases, signs of hypotension may occur after eating a large amount of food. This is explained by activation of the vagus nerve.
Orthostatic collapse: causes
Quite often, during the rise from bed, redistribution of blood begins, since its main part is concentrated in the veins that are in the lower extremities. This process is a consequence of the effect of gravity on the blood.
The venous return to the heart is significantly reduced, which leads to a subsequent decrease in pressure. Baroreceptors that are in the carotid sinuses and the aortic arch respond to the aforementioned process and activate the autonomic nervous system.
As a result, there is an increase in vascular tone and a return of pressure and heart contractions to normal levels.
If we turn to the opinion of experts and try to express the essence of the problem in a more concise manner, we can come to the following conclusion: orthostatic collapse, in fact, is not a disease, but rather a consequence of the fact that the vessels lose their ability to keep stable pressure within normal limits. And there can already be many reasons for this, sometimes very serious.
What diseases can lead to collapse?
Some diseases and processes can affect the state of blood vessels, which was mentioned above,
- nervous strain and stress;
- diseases of an infectious nature;
- significant loss of blood;
- diseases associated with the endocrine system;
- intoxication of the body, which manifests itself in the form of excessive sweating, vomiting or diarrhea;
- diet abuse and unhealthy diet;
- the use of antihypertensive, vasodilator and diuretic drugs as a treatment for hypertension for several years.
But if we single out the key reason for the main feature characterizing orthostatic collapse, namely loss of consciousness, it is necessary to pay attention to ischemic anoxia. It is based on several mechanisms that are worth mentioning.
First of all, this is the inability of the myocardium to make the desired cardiac output. Violation of the heart rhythm can also lead to the appearance of collapse, because of which adequate cerebral perfusion is not ensured.
It is impossible to ignore the decrease in blood pressure due to active peripheral vasodilation. The result of this process is an incomplete blood supply to the brain.
The effects of various drugs
In addition to the influence of various diseases, it is worth considering the fact that some drugs can also lead to loss of vascular tone and more.
Preparations that cause orthostatic collapse should be determined by the doctor individually, after which their use must be stopped or the dose should be correctly reduced. It can be various inhibitors, nitrates of blockers, vasodilators, diuretics and other antihypertensive agents.
Therefore, it is always worth remembering that orthostatic collapse can cause Dibazol and other similar drugs.
What you should know about ganglion blockers
Initially, drugs that belong to this group are designed to disrupt the conduct of impulses through the vegetative ganglia. This effect is needed to reduce muscle tone of arterioles, venules and precapillary sphincters.
The result of these processes is the improvement of microcirculation in the tissues, which is very important during the treatment of various widows of shock, burn disease, infectious toxicosis, pneumonia and other diseases.
Using ganglion blockers, it is possible to increase the degree of blood accumulation in the veins and thereby reduce its return to the heart, and thus reduce its preload. In other words, there is an improvement in heart function.
But in this barrel of honey there is also a fly in the ointment, namely, orthostatic collapse when using ganglion blockers. This is one of the possible consequences of using this drug. Such complications were seen in a specific group of patients. The reasons for this reaction of the body is the inhibition of impulse in the sympathetic paths to the veins.
Complications such as urinary retention, atonic constipation, and decreased acidity of the gastric juice are also possible.
What examination can be considered relevant
If signs characteristic of orthostatic hypotension were recorded, it is necessary to probe the organs. It is also important to check your blood pressure. An orthostatic test is also necessary . Its essence boils down to the fact that the patient stands up, and the doctor at this time observes the hemodynamic adaptation of the muscles.
A passive sample form is also possible. It must be carried out on a rotating table, while the muscles will remain inactive.
In the process of diagnosis, an anamnesis is also studied, a study of drugs that were previously prescribed and could cause a worsening of the condition. Along with this, other factors of influence are revealed, an examination is performed, as well as a study of the patient's systems and organs. For these purposes, percussion, palpation, auscultation and other diagnostic procedures can be used.
It is always worth remembering that orthostatic collapse can cause certain complications, since in some cases it is a consequence of serious diseases (cardiomyopathy, aortic stenosis, arrhythmia, myocardial infarction). This means that with obvious signs of this problem, you need to call a doctor.
How children experience collapse
Orthostatic hypotension at a young age is significantly more complicated than in adults. The cause of this diagnosis can be various pathological conditions. An example is starvation, dehydration, obvious or latent blood loss, as well as sequestration of fluid in the abdominal and pleural cavity.
In children it is often happy that collapse makes itself felt against the background of infectious diseases and toxicosis, and much more often than in adults. A similar condition is accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.
As for impaired blood flow in the brain and lowering blood pressure, in the child’s body they occur with significantly deeper hypoxia, accompanied by seizures and loss of consciousness.
Treatment methods
In order to overcome orthostatic collapse, treatment must be carried out competently and with the participation of a qualified specialist. In general, the methods of influencing this problem can have two main directions: lifestyle changes and the use of drug therapy.
If we talk about natural methods of recovery, then the following actions can be attributed to them:
- reception of small portions of food;
- short stay in hot places;
- the formation during sleep with the help of pillows of elevation under the legs;
- the use of isotonic loads for all muscle groups;
- frequent walks in the fresh air;
- if circumstances so require, compression jersey is used, which helps maintain the tone of the veins located in the lower extremities;
- protection from a sharp rise from a bed or chair (first you need to lower your legs and only after that take a vertical position).
Erythropoietin, vasopressin analogs (Vazomirin, Minimirin), mineralocorticoids (Desoxicorton, Florinnef), cholinesterase inhibitors (Galantomin, Proserin), etc. are used for drug treatment. But you should always remember that that orthostatic collapse can cause a drug that was used without taking into account contraindications in the case of a particular patient or with the wrong dosage.
Do not forget about the underlying disease, which may be the cause of the collapse. Significant results can hardly be achieved without his treatment.
Summary
So, if orthostatic hypotension has been fixed, you do not need to panic, this problem is overcome. In order that after successful treatment the collapse does not make itself felt again, it makes sense to remember some preventive measures.
These include the above-mentioned constant walks on the street, monitoring the administration of antihypertensive drugs, proper nutrition and, of course, a healthy lifestyle. It is important at the first signs of such a problem to diagnose without delay, since the cause of fainting can be a serious disease, ignoring which is fraught with significant complications.