Loss of consciousness during sleep causes. From what they faint - the causes of a sudden loss of consciousness

Sudden loss of consciousness of the cause, which may be a traumatic brain injury, an epileptic seizure, sudden pressure drops - a violation of the efficiency of the central nervous system. With a faint, a person loses balance, falls and remains motionless for some time, not responding to touch, screams, claps.

Spontaneous loss or loss of consciousness is divided into a short and persistent form, somatogenic and neurogenic genesis. The first type of syndrome does not pose a particular danger to the victim, lasts from 2-3 seconds to 4 minutes and most often does not require medical intervention.

It is observed in the following conditions of the human body:

Sudden fainting.
epileptic seizures.
Hypoglycemia: reduction of glucose in the blood plasma.
Violation of normal blood flow: with a lack of oxygen, fatigue.
Sudden pressure drops.
Concussion of the "gray matter".

Persistent syncope and long-term loss of consciousness occurs with the most serious consequences for a person. Even with the provision of timely assistance, such conditions are dangerous for the life of the patient.

These pathologies include:

heart rate fluctuations or complete stop;
ischemic stroke, cerebral hemorrhage;
vessel aneurysm damage;
fainting can cause different types of shock;
severe form of TBI;
severe intoxication of the body;
profuse blood loss, organ damage;
fainting is provoked by various forms of asphyxia, pathologies arising from a lack of oxygen;
coma (diabetic).

The state of prolonged syncope of a neurogenic nature is noted in the primary vegetative pathology of the peripheral type. The syndrome is chronic and is represented by orthostatic idiopathic hypotension, as well as systemic atrophy.

Vascular aneurysms - a condition that provokes loss of consciousness

Persistent or short-term loss of consciousness of a somatic nature is diagnosed in the picture of peripheral secondary insufficiency. The condition proceeds in an acute form, it is noted in the presence of somatic pathologies: diabetes, amyloidosis, alcohol abuse, chronic kidney failure, bronchial carcinoma, porforia.

Dizziness against the background of fainting is accompanied by other symptoms: a fixed heart rate, anhidrosis.

In general, various circumstances can provoke a sudden drop:

Severe overheating or hypothermia.
Lack of fresh air.
Shock after injury, unbearable pain.
Nervous strain or stress.

Syncope and its causes may be related to oxygen starvation in intoxication, suffocation, diabetes, uremia, or hypoglycemia. Short attacks often occur as a result of TBI, hemorrhages of various origins, poisoning, external and superficial extensive bleeding, and heart disease.

Forms of the pathological syndrome

Why a person faints must be clarified after the first attack. Indeed, in this state, the patient is at risk of injury. The syndrome may indicate the presence of a serious disease.

After the first attack, it is necessary to establish the cause

At the initial stages of diagnosis, the form of pathology is determined. Depending on the cause of fainting, the following types are distinguished:

Neurogenic condition - a violation of the conduction of nerve endings:

emotional - strong unforeseen emotions (pain, fear);
maladaptive - appears with changes in addiction to external factors (overheating, increased loads);
dyscirculatory - a short-term violation of cerebral circulation (when the neck is turned, the vertebral vessels that feed the "gray matter" are bent).

Somatogenic state - associated with pathologies of internal systems, except for the brain:

cardiogenic - occurs during interruptions in the functioning of the heart muscle, a short-term stop;
anemic state - associated with the loss of red blood cells in the blood plasma and hemoglobin;
hypoglycemic phenomenon - may occur as a result of a drop in glucose.

Extreme loss of consciousness - occurs under the influence of third-party factors:

hypoxic - develops with a low oxygen content in the air;
hypovolemic - occurs with a decrease in blood volume during burns, significant blood loss;
intoxication loss of consciousness - develops as a result of oversaturation of the body with harmful substances (poisoning with alcohol, medicines);
drug pathology - the result of taking medications that lower blood pressure;
hyperbaric loss of consciousness - develops at high pressure in the atmosphere.

The causes of fainting in people can be of a different nature, but depending on their origin, the doctor prescribes the appropriate treatment. With repeated attacks, it is necessary to undergo a comprehensive examination in order to exclude or confirm the presence of a serious illness.

Basic diagnostic methods

Fainting itself is easy to establish - the absence of any reaction to irritating factors, pain, immobility (except for convulsions) makes it possible to quickly identify the problem. But, finding out the causes of loss of consciousness is often quite difficult. For this, various diagnostic methods are used:

Familiarization with the anamnesis, during which the doctor can establish the presence of pathologies that can cause an attack or the use of drugs that lower blood pressure or have a negative effect on the central nervous system. Annoying factors are determined - being in a stuffy room, physical and mental overwork, hot weather.
Laboratory testing:

a general study of blood plasma makes it possible to establish the presence of anemia;
Glucose testing helps determine if a patient is hyper- or hypoglycemic.

Instrumental examination:

ECG (presence of blockade of the heart muscle, arrhythmias);
Ultrasound of the heart muscle (state of the valve, frequency of contractions);
dopplerography of vessels - the presence or absence of an obstacle to normal blood circulation;
magnetic resonance diagnostics and CT (gray matter tissue damage).

The consequences of loss of consciousness in a person are severe metabolic disorders in the brain cells, which negatively affect not only the performance of the organ in the form of impaired memory, attention, mental problems, but also affect the smooth functioning of the internal systems of the body.

Need to check the heart muscle

Symptoms of fainting

People who have seizures often enough can easily sense an impending crisis. Symptoms of fainting can be different, but the main ones are considered to be:

nausea, dizziness;
cold clammy sweat;
weakness, disorientation;
pallor of the integument of the epidermis;
extraneous noise in the ears, white flies before the eyes.

Symptoms and signs of loss of consciousness: gray complexion, low blood pressure, barely perceptible pulse, tachycardia or bradycardia, dilated pupils.

After a fall, most often the patient wakes up after 2-3 seconds. With prolonged attacks, convulsions, uncontrolled release of urine can be observed. This syncope is sometimes confused with an epileptic seizure.

The causes of the syndrome must be established in a timely manner in order to treat the disease in the early stages of its development. Late diagnosis can significantly complicate the course of pathology.

Weakness and dizziness are signs of loss of consciousness

Fainting in pregnancy

A woman expecting a normal child should not experience a sudden loss of consciousness. Although during pregnancy there are many irritating factors that can suffocate the blood flow of the brain. The uterus under the pressure of the fetus stretches and presses on the internal systems and organs, thereby provoking blood stasis, impairing normal circulation.

In order not to lose consciousness, pregnant women are not recommended:

Lean down, forward.
Wear tight underwear and clothing.
Squeeze the throat with scarves, tight collars.
Sleep on your back at night.

After labor, the cause of fainting, which is hidden in the changes occurring in the body during this period of time, is no longer observed. But a sudden pressure drop can cause a similar condition.

In the second place of the reasons why they faint in an "interesting position" is low hemoglobin. When carrying a child, there is an increased consumption of iron. After childbirth, anemia can only pick up its pace. For these purposes, doctors prescribe medications containing this microelement.

During pregnancy, a woman may lose consciousness

Hypoglycemia as a cause of syncope

Pathology that occurs when there is insufficient glucose in the blood plasma. The causes of fainting are: malnutrition, dehydration, increased physical and mental activity, chronic diseases, alcohol abuse.

With hypoglycemia, fainting has symptoms such as:

excessive overexcitation, a state of anxiety, aggressiveness, a sense of fear and anxiety;
severe sweating, palpitations, tachycardia;
dilated pupils, muscle tremor with fainting;
violation of visual functions;
pallor of the skin with fainting;
high pressure;
severe dizziness, throbbing spasms;
problems with coordination during fainting;
circulatory and respiratory disorders.

Hypoglycemia with rapid development can cause neurogenic loss of consciousness in people with a predisposition to it or lead to a coma and soporous pathological condition.

Critical blood sugar levels cause syncope

Fainting syndrome in women

In past centuries, many ladies could fall, lose consciousness due to tight corsets that squeeze the ribs and prevent normal breathing, as well as malnutrition and lack of iron in the blood.

Now the fair sex most often lose their balance on the background of menstruation. The causes of loss of consciousness and fainting are:

Neglect of the use during menstruation of preparations containing iron, which prevent the development of severe anemia against the background of severe bleeding.
The presence of hormonal or gynecological diseases that disrupt the contractile functions of the poppy, provoking pain on critical days, stopped by taking "Indomethacin".

If unpleasant discomfort significantly complicates life, you should ask the doctor what fainting is and what causes it. A person who has lost consciousness must necessarily undergo a comprehensive examination in order to exclude the presence of serious pathologies.

Loss of iron on critical days can result in fainting

brain injury

TBI - damage to soft tissues (nerve endings, blood vessels, membranes) or skull bones. Depending on the severity of damage during loss of consciousness, several types of brain injuries are distinguished:

concussion of the "gray matter" - damage without pronounced disturbances in the work of the organ; signs of fainting that appear immediately after a TBI, or disappear after a few days, or indicate the presence of more serious problems; the main criteria for fainting are its duration (from 3 seconds to 2-3 hours) and the depth of loss of consciousness, amnesia;
contusion of the "gray matter" - they distinguish the average, mild and severe form of the pathological condition;
compression of the brain - can be observed in the presence of a foreign body, hematoma;
axonal diffuse injury;
subarachnoid type of hemorrhage.

When fainting as a result of a skull injury, there are characteristic symptoms: coma, stupor, damage to nerve endings, hemorrhages. A fallen person must be urgently hospitalized for emergency medical care.

Syncope treatment

Prior to the arrival of qualified doctors, the victim must be provided with emergency assistance. The person who is near the victim should know what to do in case of loss of consciousness. If the patient fainted, a number of measures should be taken, as a result of which the person should regain consciousness:

Protect a person from possible injuries, pay special attention to the head.
During fainting, place the victim on a comfortable, flat couch.
Raise your legs slightly above your body.
When fainting, remove tight, uncomfortable things.
The victim is placed on his side, and not on his back (since the relaxed muscle tissues of the tongue can disrupt the breathing process).
Ensure normal air circulation in the room in which the patient is located.
When menstrual bleeding, a hot heating pad should not be applied to the stomach.

A person can faint for various reasons, but if such a condition lasts more than 5-7 minutes, is accompanied by involuntary excretion of urine, convulsions, it is urgent to call an ambulance team.

A sudden loss of consciousness can catch the victim anywhere, the main thing is not to get confused and provide first aid in a timely manner before the arrival of qualified doctors.

When a person is constantly experiencing fainting, the method of its treatment will depend on the causes that provoke its development. If a pathological syndrome occurs against the background of any disease, the goal of complex therapy is to eliminate the disease itself. For effective therapy of the syndrome, medications are often prescribed that improve the nutrition of the brain.

Substances - adaptogens allow a person to get used to climate conditions. If you lose consciousness as a result of malnutrition, you should supplement the diet with healthy foods, abandon strict diets.

First steps for fainting

If a representative of the weaker sex faints during heavy bleeding during menstruation, you need to use medications that facilitate the flow of this process. When the syndrome is observed as a result of urinary incontinence at night, he needs to stop drinking water 2-3 hours before bedtime.

The victim, who has come to his senses after a faint, should not be given nitroglycerin if he hurts, his heart tingles. It can sharply lower the pressure, which will cause a second loss of consciousness. Often, the pathological condition is observed against the background of hypotension, in which nitrate-based drugs are categorically contraindicated for the patient.

Prevention of a pathological condition

The treatment of fainting sometimes takes quite a long time. In some cases, it can be prevented if the syndrome is not associated with a serious illness. Simple methods of prevention:

proper, balanced nutrition for fainting: eating foods with an increased amount of fiber (greens, fresh fruits, vegetables), it is better to cook food for a couple without hot spices;
food divided into small parts (up to 6 times / day);
feasible physical, mental stress during fainting: visiting the pool, jogging;
refusal of cigarettes, alcoholic beverages.

With fainting and an unsuccessful fall, some complications may develop: craniocerebral injuries, fractures, disruption of work. As a result of complications, the patient cannot lead a normal life.

Fainting is a rather dangerous symptom, indicating the presence of serious disorders in the human body. The provision of first aid should begin urgently - the eyewitness does not have time to think. The sooner a person takes up resuscitation procedures, the more likely the victim is to make a full recovery.

Thank you

The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases should be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Expert advice is required!

This article focuses on a condition that occurs in about thirty percent of healthy people at least once during their entire lives. This - loss of consciousness. Loss of consciousness is a condition during which a person lies motionless, does not respond to questions and does not perceive what is happening .. site) will help you learn from this article.

Loss of consciousness is a mild form of acute cerebrovascular insufficiency. It is caused by a lack of blood flow to the brain. With loss of consciousness, a violation of nervous activity occurs. This violation is accompanied by a cessation or a significant decrease in the body's response to external irritation and to a person's perception of the sensations of his own body.

What are the causes of loss of consciousness?

You know, there are quite a few of them. However, they are all connected by one thing in common - brain damage.

Brain damage can result from direct exposure. It can be a head injury, hemorrhage, electrical injury, poisoning. It is quite possible to damage the brain and with an indirect effect on it. It can be bleeding, fainting, shock, heart disease. Very often people lose consciousness when they are exposed to heat or cold for a long time. For example, with heat stroke or freezing. Loss of consciousness can also occur in the case of insufficient oxygen in the human blood. Most often this happens with suffocation or poisoning. Metabolic disorders in fever or diabetes can also cause loss of consciousness.

signs

Loss of consciousness does not occur suddenly. Most often, the human body gives the first signs in the form of dizziness, lightheadedness, ringing in the ears, severe weakness, yawning, darkening in the eyes, cold sweat, nausea, as well as a feeling of emptiness in the head area. The person may also experience numbness in the limbs. It is possible to increase the activity of the intestines.

The person begins to turn pale, his pulse weakens, blood pressure decreases. The eyes first wander, then close, there is a loss of consciousness, which lasts for ten seconds. At this point, muscle tone weakens and the person falls. After that, the person gradually begins to regain consciousness, his eyes open, breathing and heart activity stabilize. After a person comes to his senses, he remains disturbed for some period of time. He suffers from headache, weakness and malaise.

Types of loss of consciousness

There are four types of loss of consciousness. The first type is a sudden and short-term loss of consciousness. The second type refers to a sudden and prolonged loss of consciousness. The third kind is a prolonged loss of consciousness with a gradual onset, and finally the fourth kind is a loss of consciousness with an unknown onset and duration. The concept of "sudden and short-term" refers to the duration of loss of consciousness. It can last from a few seconds to several minutes. The term "gradual and prolonged" suggests hours or days.

Treatment

As for the treatment of this condition, it implies the treatment of the underlying disease and the relief of the loss of consciousness itself. At the moment of loss of consciousness, a person needs to ensure maximum blood flow to the brain - lay the patient on his back and slightly lift his legs, turn his head to the side to prevent the tongue from sinking. Moreover, a person is also offered special medications designed to stimulate vascular tone, as well as raise blood pressure.
Loss of consciousness is a rather dangerous condition. Warn his appearance and always be conscious! Before use, you should consult with a specialist.

Reviews

A month ago I rode on a swing with a friend (very hard). I feel that my legs have come off the swing. I'm starting to come to my senses, the picture becomes more accurate, but I can't move a finger or even move the pupil of my eye!!! And in the back and head there is a strong, but some kind of dull pain. It turned out that when I fell, I lost consciousness ... Those who were nearby (my friends) told me that before I started to "come to my senses" I lay for 30-60 seconds, not counting the moment when I started " see". The situation was saved by the fact that I did not fall straight, but "rolled" on my back on the ground. There was a big problem with my back ... But I was surprised that there was no concussion, although my head hurt terribly for the first minute! And this can be? Answer who understands. Thank you in advance!

Since the 5th grade, there has been periodic loss of consciousness. it could be once a year. maybe two or three times. It mainly happens in the morning while lying in bed and can be repeated several times in a row. I was examined by specialists, luminaries and no one can determine anything. They say it should be done during an attack. And how can this be done? After all, this can happen both at home and on the street. But amazing. what I feel. that now I will fall: sick, dizzy. The attack really lasts a couple of seconds. Before, during an attack, I was all wet. and then the vomiting started. It is characteristic that during an attack I always lie down on my stomach and my head is turned to the right, otherwise I cannot lie down. Thank you for reading my sad post. I don't know who can help me.

What are the causes of loss of consciousness
Conducting an indirect heart massage artificial respiration

A sharp loss of consciousness by a person, as a rule, is closely related to disturbances in the functioning of the central nervous system. During this state, people lose their balance and fall, while not even able to move their limbs. During the period of loss of consciousness, only convulsions are possible. People in this state stop responding to others, moreover, they lose the ability to think logically and give answers to the questions asked of them.

Causes

To date, several reasons are known, due to which the risk of losing consciousness increases. Here is a list of the main causes of sudden loss of consciousness:

The first is the lack of blood supply to the brain;
The second is the lack of nutrition for the brain;
The third is low oxygen content in the blood;
The fourth is incorrect work, in which uncharacteristic discharges occur in the area of \u200b\u200bthe brain.

These and other irregularities indicate possibly temporary ailments or serious health problems.

These reasons will be discussed in more detail below.

The lack of blood supply to the brain can occur:

Such a reason may be too pronounced work of the human vegetative system. Usually such a reaction occurs due to external stimuli or non-standard situations. For example: the usual fright, various experiences, a small amount of oxygen in the human blood.
Problems in the field of cardiology can also cause this cause of loss of consciousness. This happens due to a decrease in cardiac output of blood in the human body. Such cases often end in myocardial infarction. It also occurs due to an incorrect rhythm during the work of the heart. The problem can be caused by frequent nerve impulses that accompany the ventricles and atria. After these troubles, as a rule, pathologies of various types occur. Interruptions during contractions are especially acute, the organs do not receive the right amount of blood in a timely manner for their normal work. And all this significantly affects the work of the human brain.

By the way, on the cardiogram, you can easily notice the consequences of unnatural inflow and outflow of blood in the body. It clearly displays abnormal nerve processes in the region of the ventricle. However, they almost never cause loss of consciousness. Some people do not notice this problem in themselves and live in their usual mode. All these causes and symptoms of fainting should be known and be able to partially eliminate them on the spot!

Quite often, people who have low blood pressure have been losing consciousness for a long time. People who have problems with the use of antihypertensive drugs are also at risk, the elderly are no exception to this. A sharp change in the position of the human body, as a rule, causes this cause. For example, you can stand up abruptly, that is, change the sitting or lying position. During the passivity of the limbs, there is a delay in the work of the vessels, and with rapid movement, they are not able to quickly return to the desired shape. This is the reason for the decrease in blood pressure and blood flow to the brain of the body.
Due to significant changes in large blood vessels, loss of consciousness may also occur. Since it is these vessels that feed the brain. This problem can lead to a disease called atherosclerosis. With this disease, the walls and gaps in the vessels are fastened.
Also, quite often, loss of consciousness can be caused by the presence of blood clots. There is a possibility that they partially or completely close the passage through the blood vessels. In most cases, blood clots form due to surgery. Quite often, this problem occurs after heart valve replacement surgery. It is curious that the occurrence of blood clots is observed at any age, so that every person can have them. People who are at risk of this type of blockage are prescribed special medications that should be taken on an ongoing basis. There are still cases when blood clots form in the vessels due to improper functioning of the heart rhythm. With such problems, special drugs are also prescribed for admission.
Anaphylactic shock can also cause loss of consciousness. Such shock often occurs due to a rather severe allergic reaction, which can be caused by any drug. Also, loss of consciousness can cause infectious shock, which can occur after serious illness. This condition can cause dilation in the area of the blood vessels, which will lead to a significant increase in the outflow of blood to the area of the heart. Such a reaction can be provoked by vasodilating components in medicines. At the same time, the permeability of the blood capillaries occurs, as a result, they begin to work with even greater force. All of the above reasons also disrupt blood flow to the human brain.

If a person has found these symptoms in himself, he should immediately seek help from a qualified specialist, who, in turn, will have to immediately conduct an examination and prescribe gentle tests. Only after receiving all the results, it will be possible to make an accurate diagnosis. As a result, the patient will need to undergo several procedures:

visit a neurologist to determine the possible presence of vascular dystonia
visit a general practitioner to determine the possibility of hypotension, a disease in which low blood pressure can be observed. Also, the doctor must conduct several procedures to identify the patient's tendency to hypertension.
be sure to undergo an ECHO procedure, in other words, an ultrasound of the heart, which will help determine the presence of any defects and heart failure.
there is an option that the patient will be offered to do a Doppler ultrasound to study the vessels and various pathologies in them.

Loss of consciousness with a lack of oxygen in the blood occurs with the following diseases:

Loss of consciousness in children and women for this reason is possible if the air that a person inhales does not contain the required amount of oxygen. Because of this, in stuffy rooms, there is often a risk of fainting and dizziness.
Also, loss of consciousness in adolescents can be caused by various diseases in the lung area, one of these diseases is bronchial asthma. This problem is especially true for people who suffer chronically from such ailments. Frequent coughing can cause various disturbances in the mechanism of the lungs, due to which there is a significant lack of oxygen during inspiration. Also during this there is a possibility of manifestation of insufficient cardiac output.
Anemia is one of the most common causes of loss of consciousness. As a result of the low content of hemoglobin in the blood, which should not fall below 70 g / l. However, fainting is also possible with a high content of this substance in the human body. But most often it happens in stuffy rooms.
Poisoning with poisonous oxygen oxide is also often the cause of loss of consciousness. This gas cannot be seen and is odorless and tasteless. Oxygen oxide can enter the body quite easily. For example, when melting the stove or while using gas with the hoods turned off. Also, this gas comes from the exhaust pipes of cars, so it is not recommended to be in the cab of the car if it is not ventilated. This gas enters the lungs of a person quite easily, after which it immediately combines with hemoglobin. As a result, the pathways for the passage of pure oxygen into the blood are closed. As a result, oxygen starvation occurs in the body. There is a possibility of problems in the work of the heart.

To quickly solve problems with loss of consciousness for these reasons, you need to pass a series of tests and undergo mandatory procedures. So it's important enough:

take a general blood test. This will help to see the number and condition of all bodies in the blood of the human body, such as red blood cells and hemoglobin. With the help of this analysis, the presence of asthma in the patient is also checked.
it is necessary to make an x-ray in the area of the lungs. This procedure will help check the body for the presence of bronchitis and other diseases, as well as oncological changes.
spirography is also required. It will help determine the correctness of breathing and the strength of a person's exhalations.
you may need to visit an allergy specialist. After all, most allergens in the external environment cause such a condition.

Syncopal conditions in violation of the oxygen supply of the human brain, mainly occur in diabetes mellitus.

People suffering from diabetes can make the mistake of injecting the wrong dose of insulin into the body. Which leads to a significant decrease in blood sugar, resulting in a violation of brain metabolism and an erroneous flow of nerve impulses.
Loss of consciousness is observed both with an excess amount of insulin in the body, as well as with its deficiency. With a lack of insulin, the blood is saturated with a large amount of glucose, which harms many organs that are associated with these processes, as a result, a change in metabolism occurs. Often a person suffering for such reasons may be unpleasant to smell of acetone vapor.

Lactic acid coma can also cause loss of consciousness. In this case, there are diseases that are associated with kidney failure. The patient's blood is saturated with a huge mass of lactic acid. In this case, the smell of acetone is not felt.

In any case, it is necessary to check the patient for the presence of diabetes. To do this, you need to donate blood to the laboratory, this analysis must be done on an empty stomach. This blood test will tell a lot about the diseases of a person. For example, the analysis showed an increased content of glucose in capillary blood, which means that insulin does not greatly affect the suppression of its production. To clarify the diagnosis, you need to conduct another analysis. After donating blood on an empty stomach, as a rule, the patient is given a special dose of glucose solution to drink, after which the procedure is repeated. If glucose exceeds the norm, then a person definitely has diabetes mellitus.

The result of urinalysis also determines the presence of glucose. In a healthy person, this substance cannot be in the urine. To fully determine the diagnosis of diabetes, after carrying out the prescribed procedures for several weeks, doctors measure the level of hemoglobin.

The pancreas is responsible for the production of insulin, so doctors often order patients to do an ultrasound. Such an examination helps to determine the pathology in this organ and helps to see the causes of this disease.

A failure in the transmission of impulses according to the axioms of the brain or the occurrence of pathological discharges in the neurons of the brain occur under such conditions:

1. This reason quite often causes a loss of consciousness in a person. Often he has seizures that recur with a certain frequency. This happens thanks to the neurons in the brain. It is extremely easy to determine the presence of a seizure in a person, at this moment there are periodic twitches of muscles that are in a tense state.

2. Loss of consciousness when receiving craniocerebral injuries, as a result of strong blows to the head. At the same time, bruises, concussions, tumors in the brain are possible. After such injuries, the displacement of areas of both hemispheres of the brain is likely. Compression occurs, resulting in increased intracranial pressure. These processes greatly complicate the work of the human brain. If the blow was not strong and the damage was not significant, then consciousness will return within a few minutes and there will be no significant changes in the body. However, in the event of severe injuries, edema and rupture of some vessels are possible. In critical cases, a person may fall into a coma.

3. Any kind of stroke, such as ischemic or hemorrhagic, can also be the cause of frequent fainting. These species have many differences from each other. An ischemic stroke causes an improper blood supply to the cerebral cortex, resulting in blockages. Often, people who take low-quality alcohol in large doses or tinctures with a high percentage of alcohol content bring themselves to this state. Hemorrhagic stroke occurs as a result of rupture of blood vessels in the cerebral cortex. This is the cause of cerebral hemorrhage, quite often this leads to the death of the patient.

The two types of stroke have something in common, this is the cause of their occurrence. These diseases occur with constant jumps in blood pressure, when it quickly rises and decreases at the same rate. Therefore, it is necessary to be examined in a timely manner for the presence of problems in this area.

First aid

Any person should be able to provide first aid, if suddenly there was a case of loss of consciousness before his eyes. Here are some tips that can help save the life of another person. it is a sudden and dangerous thing.

Quite often, people lose consciousness when they are in stuffy rooms. In such cases, the body does not receive the right amount of necessary oxygen. Also, this can happen due to frequent experiences and unrest. If a person suddenly lost consciousness for these reasons, the following measures should be taken:

a person needs to free his throat, remove the scarf, unbutton the buttons on the collar, untie the tie;
provide a room with sick fresh air or, if possible, take him outside;
in order for a person to wake up, it is necessary to take a cotton swab moistened with ammonia and bring it to his respiratory tract;
if a person does not regain consciousness, he needs to provide a safe and comfortable body position. A good solution is to turn it on its side, while making sure that the tongue does not sink, which can cause choking. It is best to check this sign in the first seconds, for this you will need to unclench the jaws of the victim with your fingers or other suitable objects. If necessary, you should fix the tongue to the cheek in the mouth. It is very important that the airway is completely open;
it is also quite important to check the presence of a pulse in a person and the correctness of breathing in an unconscious state;
if the patient has no pulse and breathing, it is necessary to give him a heart massage and artificial respiration. It is good if this procedure is carried out by an experienced person;
in such a situation, you should immediately call an ambulance. And before export, it is required to accurately describe all the symptoms of the patient to the doctors.

There are situations when a person is not a witness to how another loses consciousness. In this case, it is necessary to take the following measures:

try to find witnesses who noticed how the person lost consciousness. Perhaps someone knows the reason for this incident. It is necessary to check the pockets of the victim, it is likely that there will be special drugs that can help bring him to his senses. People suffering from chronic diseases of this kind often carry medicines with them;
you also need to conduct an inspection for injuries in a person who has fainted. If bleeding is detected, you need to try to stop it before the ambulance arrives;
it is important to determine the pulse and check for breathing in a person. To check the pulse, it is necessary to feel the thyroid cartilage of the victim with two fingers. Then lower them a little lower.

Usually in this area the pulse is felt well;

if a person is still warm, but he has no pulse and breathing, it is required to check the reaction of the pupils to light. Often there are cases when a person at clinical death still responds well to light rays. You can check this in this way: open the patient's eyes closed for centuries, if he is alive, then the pupils will sharply begin to narrow. If the patient initially lies with his eyes open, it is worth covering them with a palm or any dark cloth for a few seconds, then carry out the previous action. If the incident happened at night or late in the evening, a flashlight or mobile phone can be used for such purposes. There is another way to check the reaction of the eye. To do this, with a handkerchief or other soft cloth, it is necessary to touch the eyelids of the victim. If a person is alive, he will immediately begin to blink, regardless of his condition. This is a natural reaction to external stimuli.

An ambulance does not always arrive immediately after a call, but in such a state every minute is important. Therefore, it will not be superfluous to try to provide independent assistance to the victim. A heart massage of any kind or mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration can help restore vital processes. However, there is no need to rush with these methods. Quite often they cause serious harm to the victim. But they can also save a person's life. While the ambulance is on the way. It is important not to overdo it, especially when performing heart massage, as this can lead to complex fractures.

Technique of indirect heart massage and artificial respiration

Before starting an indirect heart massage and artificial respiration, it is necessary to position the patient as conveniently as possible and free the oral cavity from vomit or excessive salivation. After that, you need to throw the person’s head back, while making sure that the front jaw is slightly extended. If the jaw is strongly compressed, it must be unclenched with any improvised objects, while not causing severe injury to the victim. Only then can the procedure of introducing air into the nose be carried out. It is best to perform artificial respiration through a handkerchief. It is necessary to take two deep breaths to the victim, while the nose or mouth must be well clamped. After inhaling, you need to press your hands on the middle of the person’s chest. Ten clicks will be enough. After that, the procedure must be repeated in the same order. The procedure for artificial respiration and chest compressions will be easier and more effective if it is carried out by two people at the same time. It's not easy to deal with this alone. One person presses on the sternum, the other inhales. Three to five pressures should be combined with one or two breaths.

It may be necessary to carry out such a procedure until an ambulance appears.

Often we become witnesses of how a person suddenly falls unconscious. How to act in this situation and what caused it? We will talk about this further. Be sure to consider the difference between fainting and loss of consciousness. What should be the emergency assistance to a person?

What is fainting?

Fainting is not a disease. It can be a symptom of some disease, and even then not always. This is just a sudden loss of consciousness as a result of reduced blood flow to the head. Consciousness is restored at the same time spontaneously.

Fainting can be:

Epileptic.
Non-epileptic.

After an epileptic, a very long period of return of the victim to a normal state.

Non-epileptic syncope includes:

Convulsive. Muscle twitching joins the usual fainting.
Simple fainting.
Lipotomy. Mild fainting.
arrhythmic form. It happens with some types of arrhythmias.
Orthostatic fainting. With a sharp change from horizontal to vertical.
Bettolepsy. Syncope that appears during a period of chronic lung disease.
Drop attacks. Very unexpected falls, while the person may not lose consciousness.
Vasodepressor syncope. It happens in childhood.

Syncope symptoms

Fainting can happen unexpectedly. But sometimes before this there is a pre-fainting state.

The first symptoms are:

Unexpected weakness.
Darkening in the eyes.
There is noise in the ears.
Pallor.
Sweating increases.
Numb limbs.
May be bothered by nausea.
Yawn.

Fainting - a short-term loss of consciousness - most often happens to a person at the moment when he is standing. In a sitting position, this happens much less often. And, as a rule, when the position of the body changes, the symptoms of fainting disappear.

Fainting is most often accompanied by symptoms of vegetative-vascular disorders. Namely:

The face turns pale.
Cold limbs.
Sweating increases.
There is a weak pulse.
The blood pressure drops a lot.
Breathing is weak, shallow.
In this case, the pupils react to light and tendon reflexes are preserved.

In this state, a person can be from a few seconds to 2-5 minutes. Prolonged exposure to fainting can cause increased salivation or convulsive twitching of the muscles, limbs, and facial muscles.

Factors that cause fainting

The causes of fainting and loss of consciousness are very similar:

Sometimes fainting can smoothly flow into loss of consciousness. What is it, we will consider further.

What happens when you lose consciousness

The person suddenly falls and does not respond to external stimuli, such as:

Light slaps.
Loud voices.
Cold or warm.
Claps.
Chips.
Pain.

This condition is the result of a dysfunction of the nervous system. If a person is unconscious for a sufficiently long time, then this is already considered a coma.

Loss of consciousness is divided into:

Short-term. Lasts from 2 seconds to 2-3 minutes. In such cases, no special medical attention is required.
Persistent. This condition can have serious consequences for the body. And if you do not provide the necessary medical care in a timely manner, then this can pose a threat to the life and health of the victim.

Manifestations of loss of consciousness are very similar to fainting.

Causes of loss of consciousness

There are several reasons that lead to loss of consciousness:

Insufficient blood supply to the brain.
Lack of nutrition for the brain.
Insufficient oxygen content in the blood.
Problems in the work of the cardiovascular system. Heart rhythm disorder, heart attack.
Atherosclerotic plaques inside the vessels of the brain.
The presence of thrombi.
Quite a long time low blood pressure.
Sudden change in body position. For example, if you suddenly stand up from a sitting position.
shock states:

Anaphylactic.
Allergic.
infectious shock.

10. Complications of serious diseases.

11. Anemia.

12. Pubertal stage of development.

13. Poisoning with oxygen oxide.

14. Head injury.

15. Epilepsy.

16. Stroke.

17. Sharp pain.

18. Nervous tension, lack of sleep, overwork.

The causes of fainting and loss of consciousness in men and women are different.

Women experience loss of consciousness due to internal bleeding, gynecological diseases, if the pregnancy proceeds with pathologies, excessive emotionality or a too strict diet.

In men, alcohol poisoning and heavy physical exertion more often provoke loss of consciousness.

Fainting and loss of consciousness: what's the difference?

They differ from each other in causes and possible consequences. So, with fainting, the cause is a decrease in the volume of blood flowing to the brain, which is accompanied by a sharp drop in blood pressure.

If there is a loss of consciousness for more than 5 minutes, serious damage to the brain tissue can occur, which will affect the person's life. The causes of such conditions can be heart disease, epilepsy, stroke.

These two states differ in their duration. So, fainting lasts most often a few seconds, but not more than 5 minutes. Loss of consciousness is considered to be more than 5 minutes.

Above, we examined the reasons for fainting and loss of consciousness. What is the difference and how the recovery goes, we will study further.

After fainting, all reflex, physiological and neurological reactions are quickly restored.

After loss of consciousness, the recovery of the above reactions is very slow or they are not restored at all. It depends on the time the person has spent in an unconscious state. The longer it takes, the harder it is to recover. It will also be affected by the disease itself, that is, the cause of the loss of consciousness.

When a person faints, as a rule, there is no memory loss, as well as any changes during the ECG.

After a person wakes up, he may not remember what happened, and also, most likely, changes on the ECG will be visible.

Causes of deep fainting

A few words about deep fainting. This is a sudden loss of consciousness. The lack of blood flow to the brain contributes to poor metabolism and the supply of oxygen and glucose.

The reasons for this condition may be the following:

Decrease in blood flow to the brain can be the result of such diseases:

Arrhythmia.
Heart failure.
Violation of cardiac function during physical exertion.

2. Insufficient supply of oxygen to the brain, or hypoxia. May occur in severe upper respiratory tract infections.

3. A sharp drop in blood glucose levels.

Deep syncope with loss of consciousness is a great danger, as it can lead to oxidation of the brain.

If this happens, you should immediately consult a doctor and conduct a complete examination of the body.

Diagnosis after loss of consciousness or fainting

After first aid was provided for fainting and loss of consciousness, and the person came to his senses, it is necessary to analyze the symptoms that may appear.

It is worth paying attention to:

Many dangers can be fraught with fainting and loss of consciousness. What is the difference in developing consequences depends on many factors and the presence of certain diseases in the body. For example:

Fainting in diabetes mellitus, caused by a sharp decrease in blood sugar, can go into a coma.
In case of carbon monoxide poisoning, the victim loses consciousness, brain hypoxia sets in, and myocardial muscle contraction is inhibited.
Loss of consciousness after or during exercise is a signal of a serious cardiac pathology.
A high probability of cardiac pathologies is in older people during loss of consciousness.
Serious heart diseases are signaled by interruptions in his work and before fainting exceed 5 seconds.
With loss of consciousness, convulsions that appear may indicate not only epilepsy, but also cerebral ischemia caused by heart disease.
If a person has cardiovascular pathologies, then loss of consciousness should be considered as a very serious symptom.
If the patient has had a heart attack and has angina pectoris, cardiomegaly, and symptoms of insufficient blood supply, fainting can be fatal.

With a short-term loss of consciousness, fainting, it is necessary to undergo examinations to clarify the cause of this condition. What - we will consider further:

To exclude vegetovascular dystonia, a consultation with a neurologist is necessary.
Consultation with a therapist is needed to exclude hypotension or to prescribe therapy for hypertension.
Ultrasound, ECG, heart holter for finding cardiac pathologies.
Ultrasound, dopplerography for the study of cerebral vessels to detect pathologies.

If there was a loss of consciousness, then the following examinations will be needed:

Blood test to determine the amount of hemoglobin and red blood cells.
An x-ray is required to examine the lungs.
Get tested for allergens and visit an allergist if allergic asthma is suspected.
Undergo spirography to assess external respiration.

It is worth noting that if fainting occurs in a patient under 40 years of age and there are no anomalies on the cardiogram, then it is necessary to look for the cause along the neurological line. If after 40 there are no signs of damage on the cardiogram of the heart, it is still necessary to start with a complete examination of it.

Consequences of fainting and loss of consciousness

Such changes in health status cannot be ignored.

For a person, fainting and loss of consciousness can have different consequences. The differences are that fainting in a mild form can pass without a trace, and loss of consciousness can be a dangerous symptom of any disease and pose a danger to life.

But in any case, it is advisable to consult a doctor after the incident. So, when fainting, there is a great danger of falling tongue, which can block the airways and the person will die from suffocation. With a traumatic brain injury, loss of consciousness is a risk of developing severe dangerous complications, as well as the risk of coma and death.

In case of loss of consciousness or fainting, metabolic disturbances occur in the brain tissue. This can affect the work of the brain, namely, memory worsens, psychological disorders may occur, and attention will decrease. And of course, it can affect the work of all internal organs. The longer the unconscious state, the more dangerous for life, since irreversible processes in the brain tissues can occur. Therefore, first aid should be provided in a timely manner in case of fainting and loss of consciousness. More on this later.

Assistance to the injured

Consider what first aid is in a condition such as fainting and loss of consciousness: what is the difference is difficult to answer. Assistance is provided in both cases in almost the same way.

As we described earlier, before fainting, a person experiences the first symptoms, that is, he has a pre-syncope state:

Sharp weakness.
The face turns pale.
Pupils dilate.
Perspiration appears.

At this point, if you notice these signs, you need to help the person. What should be done:

Find a place to move the person to a sitting position.
Lower your head below your knees.

With these actions, we will improve the blood flow to the head and prevent fainting, as we will eliminate its cause.

What should be the actions in case of fainting, loss of consciousness:

It is necessary to check the presence of a pulse on the carotid artery and the reaction of the pupils to light.
Lay the victim in a horizontal position, while the legs should be raised above the level of the head. This action ensures blood flow to the head.
If a person has been vomiting, it is necessary to lay him on his side.
Clear the mouth of vomit and prevent the tongue from sinking into the throat.
Loosen or loosen tight clothing.
Provide good air access.

If this is a simple fainting, then these actions are enough for the person to come to his senses. If this was not enough, it is necessary to start resuscitation measures.

It is necessary to make an external influence on the brain in order to start the whole system. For this, as a rule, use:

Ammonia.
Cold water. She can splash her face.
Light pats on the cheeks.

2. If none of the above measures helped, you should call a doctor.

3. If there is no pulse and breathing, artificial respiration and chest compressions should be immediately started and continued until the ambulance arrives.

After a person comes to his senses, he cannot immediately get up, since the blood supply has not yet been fully restored. There is a danger that fainting will recur. At this point, it is important to talk with the victim, gradually bringing him to his senses, while controlling his condition. What should be paid attention to, we considered earlier.

Prolonged oxygen starvation of the brain will cause irreversible changes in the functioning of the whole organism and can lead to death.

We examined such serious conditions as fainting and loss of consciousness, how they differ from each other, and also tried to explain. Everyone should not only know about this, but also be able to apply their knowledge in an unexpected situation.

Preventive actions

First of all, if you feel that you may pass out, or if this has already happened to you, it is necessary to avoid such situations. Namely:

Take medications in a timely manner if there are chronic diseases.
Do not stay in stuffy rooms.
Do not bring yourself to excessive fatigue.
Learn to control yourself in stressful situations.
Don't go on strict diets.
It is also not recommended to get out of bed abruptly.
Avoid overworking in the gym.
Remember that feeling hungry can also lead to loss of consciousness.

As a prevention of fainting and loss of consciousness, it is recommended to observe the regime of work and rest, exercise moderately, carry out hardening procedures, and eat rationally and in a timely manner. If there are chronic pathologies, then it is necessary to regularly visit a specialist and undergo therapy for ailments.

Fainting is caused by a temporary loss of blood supply to the brain and may be a sign of a more serious illness...

Temporary loss of consciousness - fainting

Fainting is a temporary loss of consciousness.

Fainting is caused by a temporary loss of blood supply to the brain and may be a sign of a more serious illness.

People of any age can faint, but older people may have more serious causes.

The most common causes of fainting are vasovagal (a sharp decrease in heart rate and blood pressure) and heart disease.

In most cases, the cause of fainting is unknown.

Fainting can have many different causes:

Vasovagal syncope also known as "general weakness". This is the most common cause of fainting due to an abnormal vascular reflex.

The heart pumps more vigorously, the blood vessels relax, but the heart rate does not compensate fast enough to keep blood flowing to the brain.

Causes of vasovagal syncope:

1) environmental factors (more often when it's hot);

2) emotional factors (stress);

3) physical factors (loads);

4) illness (fatigue, dehydration, etc.).

situational syncope only happens in certain situations.

Causes of situational syncope:

1) cough (some people faint with a strong cough);

2) when swallowing (in some people, loss of consciousness is associated with a disease in the throat or esophagus);

3) when urinating (when a susceptible person passes out with an overflowing bladder);

4) hypersensitivity of the carotid sinus (in some people when turning the neck, shaving or wearing a tight collar);

5) Postprandial syncope can occur in older people when their blood pressure drops about an hour after eating.

orthostatic syncope occurs when a person feels fine in a lying position, but when he gets up, he may suddenly faint. Brain blood flow decreases when a person is standing due to a temporary drop in blood pressure.

This syncope sometimes occurs in people who have recently started (or received a replacement for) certain cardiovascular medications.

Orthostatic syncope can be due to the following reasons:

1) low circulating blood volume caused by blood loss (external or internal blood loss), dehydration, or heat exhaustion;

2) impaired circulatory reflexes caused by drugs, diseases of the nervous system, or congenital problems. Cardiac syncope occurs when a person loses consciousness due to cardiovascular disease.

Cardiac causes of syncope are usually life-threatening and include the following:

1) anomaly of the heart rhythm - arrhythmia. Electrical problems in the heart impair its pumping ability. This leads to a decrease in blood flow. The heart rate may be too fast or too slow. This condition usually causes fainting without any warning.

2) cardiac obstacles. Blood flow may be obstructed in the blood vessels in the chest. Cardiac obstruction can cause loss of consciousness during exercise. Various diseases can lead to obstruction (heart attacks, diseased heart valves with pulmonary embolism, cardiomyopathy, pulmonary hypertension, cardiac and aortic tamponade).

3) heart failure: the pumping ability of the heart is impaired. This reduces the force with which blood circulates in the body, which can reduce blood flow to the brain.

neurological syncope may be associated with neurological conditions.

Its reasons are:

1) a stroke (bleeding in the brain) can cause fainting associated with a headache;

2) transient ischemic attack (or mini-stroke) can cause loss of consciousness. In this case, fainting is usually preceded by double vision, loss of balance, slurred speech, or dizziness;

3) in rare cases, a migraine can cause fainting. Psychogenic fainting. Hyperventilation due to anxiety can lead to fainting. The diagnosis of psychogenic syncope should only be considered after all other causes have been ruled out.

Syncope symptoms

Loss of consciousness is an obvious sign of fainting.

Vasovagal syncope. Before fainting, a person may feel light-headed; blurred vision will be noted. A person can see "spots before the eyes."

The patient has pallor, dilated pupils, and sweating.

During a loss of consciousness, a person may have a low heart rate (less than 60 beats per minute).

The person must quickly regain consciousness. Many people do not have any warning signs before fainting.

Situational fainting. Consciousness returns very quickly when the situation passes.

Orthostatic fainting. Before a fainting episode, a person may notice blood loss (black stools, heavy menstruation) or fluid loss (vomiting, diarrhea, fever). The person may also be delirious. Observers may also note pallor, sweating, or signs of dehydration (dry lips and tongue).

Cardiac fainting. The person may report palpitations, chest pain, or shortness of breath. Observers may note weakness, irregular pulse, pallor, or sweating in the patient. Fainting often occurs without warning or after exertion.

Neurological fainting. The person may have a headache, loss of balance, slurred speech, double vision, or dizziness (feeling like the room is spinning). Observers note a strong pulse during the unconscious period and normal skin color.

When to seek medical help?

Since fainting can be caused by a severe condition, all episodes of loss of consciousness should be taken seriously.

Any person, even after the first episode of loss of consciousness, should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Depending on what the physical examination reveals, the doctor may require tests to be done.

These tests may include: blood tests; ECG, daily monitoring, echocardiography, functional stress test. Table tilt test. This test tests how your body reacts to changes in position. Tests to detect problems of the nervous system (CT of the head, MRI of the brain or EEG).

If the person next to you has fainted, help him.

Lay it on the ground to minimize the chance of injury.
Stimulate the person actively and call 911 immediately if the person does not respond.
Check the pulse and start CPR if necessary.
If the person recovers, let him lie down until the ambulance arrives.
Even if the cause of fainting is not dangerous, have the person lie down for 15-20 minutes before getting up.
Ask about any symptoms such as headache, back pain, chest pain, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, weakness, or loss of function because these may indicate life-threatening causes of fainting.

Syncope treatment

Treatment for fainting depends on the diagnosis.

Vasovagal syncope. Drink plenty of water, increase your salt intake (under medical supervision), and don't stand for long periods of time.

Orthostatic fainting. Change your lifestyle: sit down, flex your calf muscles for a few minutes before getting out of bed. Avoid dehydration.

Elderly people with low blood pressure large meals should be avoided after meals, or plans should be made to lie down for a few hours after meals. In most cases, you should stop taking drugs that cause fainting (or replace them).

Cardiac fainting. To treat cardiac syncope, the underlying disease must be treated.

Valvular heart disease often requires surgery, while arrhythmia can be treated with drugs.

Medications and lifestyle changes.

These procedures are designed to optimize the performance of the heart, control of high blood pressure is necessary; in some cases, antiarrhythmic drugs may be prescribed.

Surgery: bypass surgery or angioplasty are used to treat coronary heart disease; in some cases the valves can be replaced. A pacemaker may be implanted to normalize the heart rate (slows the heart for fast arrhythmias or speeds up the heart for slow arrhythmias). Implanted defibrillators are used to manage life-threatening rapid arrhythmias.

Syncope Prevention

Preventive measures depend on the cause and severity of the fainting problem.

Fainting can sometimes be prevented by taking simple precautions.

If you are weak because of the heat, cool the body.
If you faint while standing (after lying down), move slowly while standing. Slowly move into a sitting position and rest for a few minutes. When you are ready, stand up using slow and fluid movements.

In other cases, the causes of fainting may be elusive. That's why see your doctor to determine the cause of fainting.

After determining the cause, treatment of the underlying disease should begin.

Cardiac syncope: due to the high risk of death from cardiac syncope, people who experience it should be treated for the underlying disease.

Periodic fainting. Consult a doctor to determine the causes of frequent loss of consciousness.

Prognosis due to syncope

The prognosis for a person who has fainted depends largely on the cause, the age of the patient, and the treatments available.

Cardiac syncope has the greatest risk of sudden death, especially in the elderly.
Syncope that is not associated with cardiac or neurological disease is a more limited risk than in the general population.

Checking the pulse in the neck. The pulse is well felt only near the throat (trachea).

If a pulse is felt, note if it is regular and count the number of beats in 15 seconds.

To determine the heart rate (beats per minute), multiply this number by 4.

The normal heart rate for adults is between 60 and 100 beats per minute.

If you fainted only once, then you don't have to worry about it.

It is important to see a doctor because fainting can have serious causes.

Fainting can be a sign of a serious problem if:

1) It often happens within a short period of time.

2) it occurs during exercise or vigorous activity.

3) fainting occurs without warning or in a supine position. In mild syncope, the person often knows that it is about to happen, vomiting or nausea is noted.

4) a person loses a lot of blood. This may include internal bleeding.

5) there is shortness of breath.

6) there is pain in the chest.

7) the person feels that his heart is pounding (palpitations).

8) Fainting occurs along with numbness or tingling in one side of the face or body. published .

If you have any questions, ask them

The materials are for informational purposes only. Remember, self-medication is life-threatening, consult a doctor for advice on the use of any medications and treatments.