Understand the dangers of syncope and develop good living habits

Causes of fainting and first aid knowledge

Fainting is a sudden loss of consciousness, mainly due toInsufficient blood supply to the brainThe brain needs sufficient blood to provide oxygen and nutrients. When the blood supply is insufficient, brain function will be temporarily interrupted, causing loss of consciousness. Neurosurgeon Fang Jiayang pointed out that there are many causes of fainting, the most common of which is vasovagal syncope.

The vagus nerve is the tenth cranial nerve in the human body, and is also the longest and most widely distributed nerve. This nerve is responsible for regulating a variety of physiological functions. When the parasympathetic nerves are overexcited, it will cause the heart rate to slow down, blood pressure to drop, breathing to slow down, and blood vessels to dilate, which will cause insufficient blood supply to the brain and faint. Although most vasovagal syncope is benign, patients may suffer head or body injuries due to falls during fainting, which can be serious or minor.

Common causes of fainting

Causes of vasovagal syncope include: situations that stimulate the vagus nerve, such as being frightened, emotionally agitated, or in sudden pain; standing for long periods of time causing blood to pool in the lower limbs; frequent drinking causing blood vessels to continue to dilate, etc. These situations can occur in people of all ages. Most of the fainting in the elderly is caused by postural hypotension, which is temporary ischemia of the brain when standing up suddenly from a sitting, lying, or squatting position. Lying down after fainting can improve blood circulation, and consciousness can usually be restored within a few seconds to a few minutes.

Dr. Fang said that there have been patients who fainted three to four times a month. This is because the vagus nerve is particularly sensitive and often stimulated. In most cases, medication is not required, but if the attacks are frequent, the doctor may prescribe preventive medication.

What to do if you faint

when feeling Dizziness If you see someone fainting, you should immediately find a safe place to sit or lie down and rest. If you see someone fainting, you should quickly support the patient to avoid hitting the head and let him/her lie flat. Before fainting, there are usually precursors such as tinnitus, dizziness, palpitations, cold sweats, fatigue, nausea, blurred vision, etc., followed by blacking out and loss of consciousness. After lying flat, the blood supply is restored and most people can wake up on their own. However, if the dehydration is severe or the blood pressure is continuously too low, it may not be able to recover on its own and needs to be sent to the doctor for treatment.

Doctor Fang reminded that if the coma lasts for more than 5 minutes, or requires help from others to wake up, the situation is more serious. Especially those with a history of heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, or chest pain and shortness of breath when fainting, and those with a family history of sudden death should seek medical attention immediately to find out the cause.

Lifestyle tips for preventing fainting

The key to preventing vasovagal syncope is to avoid triggering factors, such as excessive fatigue, emotional excitement, sudden pain, and prolonged standing. It is also important to maintain a regular lifestyle and regulate the function of the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system controls physiological functions such as heartbeat and blood pressure. If the function is disordered, it is easy to cause various discomforts.

Specific preventive measures include: eating three meals on time, eating a balanced diet, ensuring adequate intake of protein, carbohydrates and vitamins; developing the habit of drinking plenty of water; maintaining regular exercise to enhance heart function; ensuring adequate sleep; and limiting alcohol intake. These healthy lifestyles can effectively reduce the risk of fainting.