What happens is the time of loss of consciousness. Why people faint

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Review

Fainting is a sudden temporary loss of consciousness, usually accompanied by a fall.

Doctors often refer to fainting as syncope to distinguish it from other conditions involving temporary loss of consciousness, such as a seizure or concussion.

Fainting is very common, with up to 40% of people losing consciousness at least once in their lives. The first fainting episode usually occurs before the age of 40. If the first episode of loss of consciousness occurs after age 40, this may indicate a severe chronic illness. The most common neurogenic syncope is most often observed during adolescence in girls.

The immediate cause of syncope is a disruption in the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the brain. Its functions are temporarily impaired, and the person loses consciousness. This usually happens in a stuffy room, on an empty stomach, with fear, severe emotional shock, and in some people, with the sight of blood or a sudden change in body position. A person may faint from coughing, sneezing, or even while emptying the bladder.

First aid for fainting should be to prevent the person from falling and protect him from injury. If someone feels bad, support them and gently lay them down, raising their legs up, or sit them down. Provide fresh air by opening windows and unbuttoning your collar. Try not to create panic in order to avoid large crowds of people, crowding and stuffiness. When fainting, consciousness usually returns within a few seconds, less often within 1-2 minutes, but some types of fainting require emergency medical attention.

If a person does not regain consciousness within 2 minutes, you should call an ambulance by calling 03 from a landline phone, 112 or 911 from a mobile phone.

Symptoms of fainting

Fainting is usually preceded by sudden weakness and dizziness, followed by a brief loss of consciousness, usually lasting a few seconds. This can happen when a person is sitting, standing, or standing up too quickly.

Sometimes loss of consciousness may be preceded by other short-term symptoms:

yawn;
sudden sticky sweat;
nausea;
frequent deep breathing;
disorientation in space and time;
blurred vision or spots before the eyes;
tinnitus.

After a fall, the head and heart are at the same level, so blood reaches the brain more easily. Consciousness should return in about 20 seconds; less often, fainting lasts for 1-2 minutes. A longer absence of consciousness is an alarming signal. In this case, you need to call an ambulance.

After fainting, you may feel weak and confused for 20 to 30 minutes. The person may also feel tired, drowsy, nauseated, and have abdominal discomfort, and may not remember what happened just before the fall.

Fainting or stroke?

Loss of consciousness can occur during a stroke - a cerebrovascular accident. A stroke, unlike fainting, always requires emergency medical attention and is life-threatening. A stroke can be suspected if a person does not regain consciousness for more than 2 minutes or if after fainting the victim has the following symptoms:

the face is skewed to one side, the person cannot smile, his lip has drooped or his eyelid has drooped;
the person is unable to lift one or both arms and keep them upright due to weakness or numbness;
speech becomes unintelligible.

Causes of fainting (loss of consciousness)

Loss of consciousness during syncope is associated with a temporary reduction in blood flow to the brain. The causes of this type of circulatory disorder are very diverse.

Disruption of the nervous system as a cause of loss of consciousness

Most often, loss of consciousness is associated with a temporary failure of the autonomic system. nervous system. This type of fainting is called neurogenic or vegetative syncope.

The autonomic nervous system is responsible for unconscious body functions, including heartbeat and blood pressure regulation. Various external stimuli, for example, fear, the sight of blood, heat, pain and others, can temporarily disrupt the functioning of the autonomic nervous system, which leads to a drop in blood pressure and fainting.

The work of the autonomic nervous system is also associated with a slowdown in heart function, which leads to a short-term decrease in blood pressure and impaired blood supply to the brain. This is called vasovagal syncope.

Sometimes the autonomic nervous system becomes overloaded during coughing, sneezing or laughing and loss of consciousness occurs. This kind of fainting is called situational.

In addition, fainting may be associated with prolonged standing in an upright position. Typically, when a person stands or sits, gravity causes some of the blood to flow downward and pool in the arms and legs. To maintain normal blood circulation, the heart begins to work a little harder, blood vessels slightly narrow, maintaining sufficient blood pressure in the body.

In some people, this mechanism is disrupted, and the blood supply to the heart and brain is temporarily interrupted. In response, the heart begins to beat too fast, and the body produces norepinephrine, a stress hormone. This phenomenon is called postural tachycardia and can cause symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, sweating, rapid heartbeat and fainting.

Carotid sinus syndrome

The carotid sinus is a symmetrical area on the lateral surface of the middle part of the neck. This is an important area, rich in sensitive cells - receptors, which is necessary to maintain normal blood pressure, heart function and blood gas composition. In some people, syncope (fainting) can occur when there is an accidental mechanical impact on the carotid sinus - this is called carotid sinus syndrome.

Orthostatic hypotension is a cause of fainting in the elderly

The second most common cause of fainting can be a drop in blood pressure when a person stands up suddenly - orthostatic hypotension. This phenomenon is more common in older people, especially after 65 years of age.

A sharp change in body position from horizontal to vertical leads to the outflow of blood to the lower parts of the body under the influence of gravity, which causes blood pressure in the central vessels falls. Typically the nervous system regulates this by increasing the heart rate, constricting blood vessels and thus stabilizing blood pressure.

With orthostatic hypotension, the regulatory mechanism is disrupted. Therefore, rapid pressure restoration does not occur, and blood circulation in the brain is disrupted for some period. This is enough to cause fainting.

Possible causes of orthostatic hypotension:

dehydration is a condition in which the body's fluid content decreases and blood pressure decreases, making it harder for the heart to stabilize, increasing the risk of fainting;
diabetes mellitus - accompanied by frequent urination, which can lead to dehydration, in addition, high level blood sugar damages the nerves responsible for regulating blood pressure;
medications- any medications for hypertension, as well as any antidepressants, can cause orthostatic hypotension;
Neurological diseases - diseases affecting the nervous system (for example, Parkinson's disease) can cause orthostatic hypotension.

Heart disease - the cause of cardiac syncope

Heart disease can also cause disruption of the blood supply to the brain and lead to temporary loss of consciousness. This type of fainting is called cardiac syncope. Its risk increases with age. Other risk factors:

pain in the heart cell (angina);
suffered a heart attack;
pathology of the structure of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy);
abnormalities on the electrocardiogram (ECG);
repeated sudden fainting without warning symptoms.

If you suspect that fainting is caused by heart disease, you should consult a physician as soon as possible.

Reflex anoxic spasms

Reflex anoxic convulsions are a type of fainting that develops after a short-term cardiac arrest due to overload of the vagus nerve. It is one of the 12 cranial nerves that runs down from the head to the neck, chest And abdominal cavity. Reflex anoxic seizures are more common in young children, especially when the child is upset.

Diagnosis of the causes of fainting

Most often, fainting is not dangerous and does not require treatment. But in some cases, after fainting, you should consult a doctor to find out whether the loss of consciousness was caused by any disease. Contact a neurologist if:

fainting occurred for the first time;
you regularly lose consciousness;
injury due to loss of consciousness;
you are suffering diabetes mellitus or heart disease (eg, angina);
fainting occurred during pregnancy;
before fainting, you felt chest pain, irregular, rapid or strong heartbeat;
during blackout, urination or defecation occurred involuntarily;
you were unconscious for several minutes.

During the diagnosis, the doctor will ask about the circumstances of the fainting and recent illnesses, and may also measure your blood pressure and listen to your heartbeat with a stethoscope. In addition, additional research will be required to diagnose the causes of loss of consciousness.

Electrocardiogram (ECG) is prescribed when it is suspected that fainting was caused by heart disease. An electrocardiogram (ECG) records the heart rhythms and electrical activity of the heart. Electrodes (small sticky discs) are attached to the arms, legs and chest and are connected to the ECG machine using wires. Each heartbeat creates an electrical signal. The ECG notes these signals on paper, recording any abnormalities. The procedure is painless and takes about five minutes.

Carotid sinus massage performed by a doctor to rule out carotid sinus syndrome as a cause of fainting. If the massage causes dizziness, heart rhythm disturbances or other symptoms, the test is considered positive.

Blood tests allow you to exclude diseases such as diabetes and anemia (anemia).

Blood pressure measurement in the supine and standing positions to detect orthostatic hypotension. In orthostatic hypotension, blood pressure drops sharply when a person stands up. If the test results reveal a medical condition, such as heart disease or orthostatic hypotension, your doctor may prescribe treatment.

First aid for fainting

There are certain measures that should be taken when someone is fainting. It is necessary to position the person in such a way as to increase blood flow to the head. To do this, just put something under your feet, bend them at the knees or lift them up. If you have nowhere to lie down, you need to sit down and put your head between your knees. Doing this will usually help prevent fainting.

If a person does not regain consciousness within 1-2 minutes, you need to do the following:

lay it on its side, supported by one leg and one arm;
tilt your head back and lift your chin to open
Airways;
Continuously monitor your breathing and pulse.

Then you should call an ambulance by calling 03 from a landline phone, 112 or 911 from a mobile phone and stay with the person until doctors arrive.

Treatment after fainting

Most fainting episodes do not require treatment, but it is important for your doctor to rule out possible medical conditions that may have caused the loss of consciousness. If the latter are detected during examination, you will need treatment. For example, if diabetes is detected through diet, physical exercise and medications can lower blood sugar levels. Treatment of cardiovascular diseases associated with fluctuations in blood pressure, rhythm disturbances or atherosclerosis also minimizes the likelihood of recurrent syncope.

If fainting is of a neurogenic nature or is situational, then you need to avoid those causes that usually lead to loss of consciousness: stuffy and hot rooms, excitement, fear. Try to spend less time standing on your feet. If you faint at the sight of blood or medical procedures, tell your doctor or nurse so they can do the procedure while you lie down. When it is difficult to determine what situations cause you to faint, your doctor may recommend keeping a symptom diary to record the circumstances surrounding your fainting spells.

To prevent fainting caused by carotid sinus syndrome, you should avoid putting pressure on the neck area - for example, not wearing shirts with a high, tight collar. Sometimes, to treat carotid sinus syndrome, a pacemaker, a small electronic device that helps maintain a regular heart rhythm, is placed under the skin.

To avoid orthostatic hypotension, try not to change your body position suddenly. Before getting out of bed, sit up, stretch, and take a few calm, deep breaths. In summer, you should increase your water consumption. The doctor may also recommend eating smaller meals in small portions and increasing salt intake. Some medications may lower blood pressure, but stop taking the prescribed medicines only with the permission of a doctor.

To stop the drop in blood pressure and prevent fainting, there are special movements:

crossing legs;
muscle tension in the lower body;
clenching your hands into fists;
arm muscle tension.

The technique of correctly performing these movements needs to be learned. In the future, these movements can be performed after noticing symptoms of impending fainting, for example, dizziness.

Sometimes medications are used to treat after fainting. However, drug therapy must be prescribed by a doctor.

Additionally, syncope can create a dangerous situation in the workplace. For example, when handling heavy equipment or dangerous mechanisms, when working at height, etc. Issues of work ability are resolved on a case-by-case basis with the attending physician after completion of the diagnosis.

Which doctor should I contact after fainting?

Using the NaPravku service, you can diagnose possible reasons fainting and suggest treatment if necessary.

If your episodes of loss of consciousness are accompanied by other symptoms not described in this article, use the “Who Treats It” section to choose the right specialist.

Localization and translation prepared by site. NHS Choices provided the original content for free. It is available from www.nhs.uk. NHS Choices has not reviewed, and takes no responsibility for, the localization or translation of its original content

All site materials have been checked by doctors. However, even the most reliable article does not allow us to take into account all the features of the disease in a particular person. Therefore, the information posted on our website cannot replace a visit to the doctor, but only complements it. The articles have been prepared for informational purposes and are advisory in nature.

Often we witness how a person suddenly falls unconscious. How should you act in this situation and what caused this? We'll talk about this later. Be sure to consider the difference between fainting and loss of consciousness. What should emergency assistance be for a person?

What is fainting?

Fainting is not a disease. It can be a symptom of some illness, 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 spontaneously.

Fainting can be:

Epileptic.
Non-epileptic.

After an epileptic episode, there is a very long period of time for the victim to return to normal.

Non-epileptic syncope includes:

Convulsive. Normal fainting is accompanied by muscle twitching.
Simple fainting.
Lipotomy. Mild degree of fainting.
Arrhythmic form. It happens with some types of arrhythmias.
Orthostatic syncope. When there is a sudden change from horizontal to vertical position.
Bettolepsy. Fainting that occurs during a period of chronic lung disease.
Drop attacks. Very unexpected falls, while the person may not lose consciousness.
Vasodepressor syncope. Happens in childhood.

Symptoms of fainting

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

The first symptoms are:

Unexpected weakness.
Darkening in the eyes.
There is noise in the ears.
Pallor.
Sweating increases.
Limbs go numb.
Nausea may bother you.
Yawn.

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

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

The face turns pale.
Extremities get cold.
Sweating increases.
There is a weak pulse.
Blood pressure drops greatly.
Breathing is weak and shallow.
At the same time, the pupils react to light and tendon reflexes are preserved.

A person can remain in this state from several seconds to 2-5 minutes. Staying unconscious for a longer period of time can cause increased salivation or convulsive twitching of muscles, limbs and facial muscles.

Factors that provoke fainting

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

Sometimes a fainting state can smoothly flow into loss of consciousness. Let's look at what this is next.

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.
Slivers.
Pain.

This condition is the result of a dysfunction of the nervous system. If a person remains unconscious for a sufficiently long time, then this is 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.
I am persistent. This condition can have serious consequences for the body. And if you don’t provide the necessary timely medical care, this may 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 brain nutrition.
Insufficient oxygen content in the blood.
Problems at work of cardio-vascular system. Heart rhythm disturbance, heart attack.
Atherosclerotic plaques inside the blood vessels of the brain.
Presence of blood clots.
Low blood pressure for quite a long time.
Sudden change in body position. For example, if you suddenly stand up from a sitting position.
Shock conditions:

Anaphylactic.
Allergic.
Infectious shock.

10. Complications of serious diseases.

11. Anemia.

12. Pubertal stage of development.

13. Oxygen oxide poisoning.

14. Head injury.

15. Epilepsy.

16. Stroke.

17. Sharp pain.

18. Nervous stress, lack of sleep, overwork.

The causes of fainting and loss of consciousness differ in men and women.

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

In men, alcohol poisoning, severe physical exercise.

Fainting and loss of consciousness: what is the difference?

They differ from each other for reasons and possible consequences. Thus, when fainting, the cause is a reduction 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 brain tissue can occur, which will affect the person's functioning. The causes of such conditions can be heart pathologies, epilepsy, stroke.

These two states differ in their duration. Thus, fainting most often lasts a few seconds, but no more than 5 minutes. Loss of consciousness is considered to be more than 5 minutes.

Above we looked at the reasons for fainting and loss of consciousness. What is the difference and how the recovery proceeds, 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 occurs very slowly or they do not recover at all. It depends on the time the person spent in an unconscious state. The longer it takes, the more difficult it is to recover. This will also be influenced by the disease itself, that is, the cause of loss of consciousness.

When a person faints, as a rule, there is no loss of memory, nor any changes during an ECG.

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

Causes of deep fainting

A few words about deep fainting. This is a sudden loss of consciousness. 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:

Reduced blood flow to the brain can be a consequence of the following diseases:

Arrhythmia.
Heart failure.
Impaired cardiac function during exercise.

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

3. A sharp decrease in blood glucose levels.

Deep fainting with loss of consciousness is very dangerous, as it can lead to oxidation of the brain.

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

Diagnosis after loss of consciousness or syncope

After first aid has been provided for fainting and loss of consciousness, and the person has regained consciousness, it is necessary to analyze the symptoms that may appear.

It is worth paying attention to:

Fainting and loss of consciousness can pose many dangers. The difference between the 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 progress to a coma.
In case of carbon monoxide poisoning, the victim loses consciousness, brain hypoxia occurs, and myocardial muscle contraction is inhibited.
Loss of consciousness after or during physical activity is a signal of serious cardiac pathology.
There is a high probability of heart pathologies in older people during loss of consciousness.
Severe heart disease is indicated by interruptions in its work and the time before fainting exceeds 5 seconds.
If you lose 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, cardiomegaly, and symptoms of insufficient blood supply, fainting can be fatal.

In case of short-term loss of consciousness or fainting, it is necessary to undergo examinations to clarify the cause of this condition. Let's look at which ones further:

To exclude vegetative-vascular dystonia, a consultation with a neurologist is necessary.
Consultation with a physician is necessary to exclude hypotension or to prescribe therapy for hypertension.
Ultrasound, ECG, cardiac Holter to detect cardiac pathologies.
Ultrasound, Dopplerography to study cerebral vessels to identify pathologies.

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

A blood test to determine the amount of hemoglobin and red blood cells.
To examine the lungs, it is necessary to undergo an x-ray.
Get tested for allergens and visit an allergist if you suspect asthma of allergic origin.
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 a neurological cause. If, after 40, there are no signs of damage on the heart cardiogram, it is still necessary to start with a full examination of it.

Consequences of fainting and loss of consciousness

Such changes in health cannot be ignored.

Fainting and loss of consciousness can have different consequences for a person. The differences are that fainting in mild form may 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 you faint, there is a great danger of the tongue falling in, 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 processes in the brain tissue are disrupted. This can affect the functioning of the brain, namely, memory deteriorates, psychological disorders may occur, and attention will decrease. And of course, it can affect everyone’s work internal organs. The longer the unconscious state, the more dangerous it is for life, since irreversible processes can occur in the brain tissue. Therefore, first aid should be provided in a timely manner in case of fainting and loss of consciousness. More on this later.

Providing assistance to the elderly

Let's consider what first aid is like in a condition such as fainting and loss of consciousness: it is difficult to answer what the difference is. Help is provided in both cases practically according to the same scheme.

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

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

At this moment, if you notice these signs, you need to provide help to 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 blood flow to the head and prevent fainting, as we will eliminate its cause.

What should be done in case of fainting or loss of consciousness:

It is necessary to check the presence of a pulse in the carotid artery and the reaction of the pupils to light.
Place the victim in horizontal position, while the legs must 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 your mouth of vomit and prevent your tongue from falling into your throat.
Loosen or loosen tight clothing.
Provide good air access.

If it 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 begin resuscitation measures.

It is necessary to make an external impact on the brain in order to launch the entire system. For this, as a rule, they use:

Ammonia.
Cold water. You can spray her face.
Light slaps on the cheeks.

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

3. If there is no pulse and breathing, you must immediately begin artificial respiration and indirect massage heart and continue until the ambulance arrives.

After a person comes to his senses, he should not get up immediately, since the blood supply has not yet been completely restored. There is a danger that fainting will happen again. At this moment, it is important to talk with the victim, gradually bringing him to his senses, while monitoring his condition. We looked at what you should pay attention to earlier.

Prolonged oxygen starvation of the brain will cause irreversible changes in the functioning of the entire body and can be fatal.

We looked at such serious conditions as fainting and loss of consciousness; we also tried to explain how they differ from each other. 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 like you might lose consciousness, or this has already happened to you, you need to avoid such situations. Namely:

Take medications in a timely manner, if available. chronic diseases.
Do not stay in stuffy rooms.
Don't make yourself overly tired.
Be able to control yourself in stressful situations.
Don't go on strict diets.
It is also not recommended to get out of bed abruptly.
Avoid overexertion in the gym.
Remember that feeling hungry can also lead to loss of consciousness.

To prevent fainting and loss of consciousness, it is recommended to follow a work-rest regime, exercise moderately, carry out hardening procedures, and eat in a timely and rational manner. If there are chronic pathologies, then it is necessary to regularly visit a specialist and undergo treatment for ailments.

Cramps are involuntary and sudden acts of muscle contraction that are accompanied by painful sensations. They arise as a result of exposure to unfavorable external factors or against the background of disruption of the functioning of internal organs. Muscle spasms are usually classified according to their characteristic features.

Clonic convulsions manifest themselves in the form of alternating acts of muscle tension and relaxation. The main reason for their occurrence is organic lesions nervous system. All types of seizures are characterized by paroxysmal states. The spasms come and go suddenly, and the duration of the seizures varies from a few seconds to several minutes.

Seizure differences

If a person often suffers from convulsions, this may indicate the presence of some pathologies that are dangerous to health and require medical attention. To carry out the most correct treatment course, you need to know about the characteristics of different types of seizures and the differences between them. Classification of muscle spasms:

clonic (rhythmic muscle tension and relaxation);
tonic cramps (short-term and severe muscle spasms);
with clonic-tonic convulsions, which are of a mixed nature and usually occur against the background of epilepsy, the patient loses consciousness.

The difference between tonic and clonic convulsions lies not only in the nature of their manifestation, but also in the causes of their occurrence. In the first case, muscle contractions appear due to excessive physical activity, overexertion, and they usually affect the lower limbs, as well as the arms, respiratory system or face (less often). As for clonic spasms, their main causes are disruption of the cerebral cortex, disruptions in transmission processes nerve impulses in muscle tissue.

Other causes of seizures:

severe disorders of the nervous system, such as epilepsy;
infectious lesions of the body;
hypertensive crisis;
intoxication of the body;
nervous tension;
vascular pathologies;
violations of water-salt metabolism;
circulatory disorders;
traumatic brain injuries.

Characteristic symptoms

Tonic seizures usually occur in the upper and lower limbs, in more rare cases they affect the face, back, neck or other parts of the body. The development of airway spasm cannot be ruled out. With such cramps, the affected muscle becomes tense and hard, prominent. A striking example of a tonic spasm is spasm calf muscle accompanied by severe pain.

With epilepsy and other disorders of the nervous system, generalized tonic seizures are observed, which are characterized by simultaneous tension of all muscles of the body. During a seizure, the victim’s body stretches out or takes an arched position, the person begins to clasp his face with his hands, as if trying to protect himself from external influences. Breathing quickens, blood pressure rises, and loss of consciousness is possible. Then relaxation occurs, after which many patients experience involuntary acts of urination or defecation.

As for clonic convulsions, they involve rhythmic muscle contraction, alternating with interruptions, the spine bends, and the limbs become bent. Symptomatic phases for clonic seizures:

Involuntary and deep breath.
Increasing tremors in the limbs.
Lack of protective reflexes and reactions to external stimuli.
Convulsions.
Copious flow of saliva and foam from the mouth.
Recession of the tongue and impaired respiratory function.
Profuse sweating.
Reduction of cramps, extinction of muscle twitching.
Relaxation of all muscles, unconscious urination.

After such an attack, the patient, as a rule, does not remember it, but feels weak, tired and drowsy, and becomes disoriented.

First aid

Generalized seizures can be life-threatening, so it is extremely important to know how to relieve a seizure and provide first aid before the ambulance arrives. You need to do the following:

Place the patient on a soft surface to prevent injury from involuntary movements.
If a person is unconscious, he should lie on his side to prevent suffocation, since vomiting is possible.
Open windows and free the victim's chest from tight clothing for fresh air.
Monitor the patient's oral cavity, if necessary, release it from vomit, make sure that the tongue does not burn.
Hold the limbs of a person during convulsions so that they do not get injured.
Do not leave the patient until the doctors arrive.

You cannot provide medication to a patient yourself. The exception is when the seizure has already passed, and the patient himself knows what medicines he needs to take and in what dosage.

If you have a local spasm, you can help yourself. If a spasm of the calf muscle occurs, it is recommended to prick the tense area with a needle so that relaxation and pain relief occurs. You can also do self-massage and rub the limb with warming ointment.

Treatment measures

Tonic and clonic seizures are not an independent disease, but they usually indicate the presence of some other pathology. Therefore, the treatment regimen for each individual patient is selected individually, depending on the provoking factors. Preliminary diagnostics is carried out to identify the causes of the convulsive syndrome. To relieve attacks, basic medications are used:

Sedatives, tranquilizers (Andaxin, Phenazepam, Trioxazine, Diazepam).
Phenobarbital, Thiopental and other barbiturates.
Anticonvulsants, such as carbamazepine.

Considering that a lack of trace elements and minerals often causes seizures, the patient is prescribed a special proper diet, with which it is possible to restore the balance of vitamins and nutrients.

Possible complications

The consequences of a seizure can be very different. It all depends on which muscles were affected. High probability of death with muscle spasms lungs or heart. Other complications:

impaired respiratory function can cause the development of stuttering or pulmonary edema;
if during a seizure the patient sharply arches his back, then the risk of a fracture of the spine increases;
when the heart muscles spasm, cardiac arrest is possible;
mental disorders are likely;
sudden movements of the arms and legs often result in serious injuries to the limbs;
other consequences of sudden movements of the body are tearing of muscle tissue, craniocerebral injuries;
the development of paralysis or paresis is possible;
stopping the blood supply to the spasmodic area, which can lead to tissue death;
If there is a disruption in the circulatory system, a cerebral hemorrhage may occur.

It is very important to timely contact a specialist for clonic and tonic convulsions. Compliance with all medical recommendations will help prevent the recurrence of attacks and complications after them.

Providing assistance with a fracture of the base of the skull

Any damage to the cranium is considered a severe head injury with damage to the integrity of the cranial vault. When injured, damage to the membranes of the brain, blood vessels and nerves often occurs. The consequences of such an injury can be fatal to a person.

Particularly dangerous is a fracture of the base of the skull, which can only be diagnosed by a doctor. But every person should know the symptoms of this injury and be able to provide first aid in order to avoid death as a consequence of this injury.

What is Trauma?

The base of the skull is its part located below the edge of the orbit, frontal bone, sphenoid-zygomatic suture, sphenoid bone, above the external opening of the auditory canal, nuchal line. When a fracture occurs, the underlying bones are damaged.

Injury can occur due to a fall, a traffic accident, or a blow to the jaw. Half of the victims have damage that extends from the cranial vault.

When the base of the skull is injured, the membranes of the brain are torn. In this regard, they interact with the external environment through the nasal and oral cavities, ear canal, and sinuses. There is an outpouring of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). At the same time, pathogenic bacteria penetrate into the brain area and infect the intracranial contents.

When the anterior fossa is destroyed, blood enters the area of the periorbital cavity. This leads to damage to the most important nerves.

Damage classification

Skull fractures are classified as follows:

Linear. A break in the bone is visualized as a line. The injury is characterized by the absence of displacement. It is the most favorable for the patient, however, even in this case, damage to the blood vessels of the brain is possible.
Comminuted fractures can affect different areas of the brain as the fracture causes fragments to form. This damage causes crushing of soft tissues and the development of intracerebral hematomas.
With depressed wounds, the fragment penetrates into the skull, causing the same damage as with splintered wounds. The danger of injury is compression of the brain and serious impairment of its functions.
With gunshot wounds, perforated fractures are observed. They are the most severe and have a high mortality rate. This is explained by the fact that the bullet penetrates the brain, significantly destroying it. Such an injury leaves a person no chance of survival.

Depending on the location, injuries are distinguished:

pyramids of the temporal part;
anterior fossa of the skull;
middle fossa;
posterior fossa.

Fractures can also be open or closed. With open injuries, the bone or its fragment is easy to notice. When closed, the affected bone cannot be seen.

Common signs of different types of fractures

The severity of clinical symptoms depends on the location of the violation of the integrity of the base of the skull and the severity of the lesions. At the moment of bone injury, the victim loses consciousness. The duration of this condition varies. So, with minor injuries, the patient loses consciousness for a short time. In case of severe injuries, the person is in a deep coma.

Symptoms of a basal skull fracture are:

severe pain of a bursting nature resulting from developing cerebral edema;
“spectacles” syndrome – hemorrhage in the orbital area;
change in pupil size;
lack of reaction of the pupils to the light source;
vomit;
the appearance of cerebrospinal fluid from the ear cavity (often there is an admixture of blood in it);
urine output that cannot be controlled by the person;
increased or decreased heart rate;
increase or decrease in blood pressure;
immobility;
When the brainstem is compressed, respiratory distress occurs.

Fractures of the pyramid of the temporal bone

With such an injury, the shape of the fracture can be longitudinal, transverse, or diagonal. It is not uncommon for the top of the bone to be torn off.

Transverse bone fracture leads to dysfunction of normal activities facial nerve. The activity of the vestibular apparatus decreases. The person completely loses hearing and the ability to distinguish taste.

During a longitudinal fracture, the facial nerve and the middle and inner parts of the ear are destroyed. It causes hearing loss and damage to the facial nerve. An attempt to change the position of the head leads to increased leakage of cerebrospinal fluid from the ear canal.

Injury to the anterior fossa

This type of injury is accompanied by severe bleeding from the nose. “Glasses syndrome” appears only a few days after the incident in the form of a surrounding bruise. Often the patient develops emphysema.

Middle fossa fractures

With such injuries, patients develop extensive hematomas. There are sharp disturbances in nerve activity. Such a fracture of the skull bones is always accompanied by disruption of the functioning of the most important organs. If the vestibular system is damaged, the victim may develop problems with coordination of movements and maintaining balance.

Disruption of the caudal nerve leads to immobilization of the muscles of the larynx, tongue and severe breathing problems. This type of injury occurs in more than half of all cases of the disease.

Posterior fossa fracture

Such damage is manifested by the presence of bruises behind one or both ears, the functioning of the facial, abducens and auditory nerves is disrupted. If the caudal nerves are damaged, organ paralysis occurs oral cavity: tongue, larynx and palate.

Methods of providing first aid

The consequences of a skull fracture depend entirely on the quality, time and volume of emergency care. A team of doctors should be called immediately if there is any suspicion of a crack in the skull. Before emergency services arrive, you need to provide first aid:

After the ambulance team arrives, the following measures are taken:

The patient is administered diuretics and drugs to normalize heart function (Cordiamin and Sulfocamphocaine).
In case of bleeding, Polyglucin is administered.
For respiratory pathologies, oxygen therapy is performed.
For hyperactivity of motor muscles, Suprastin is prescribed.
Painkillers are administered only if there is no breathing problem. Narcotic analgesics are prohibited.

Injury diagnosis

Treatment of injury is carried out by a neurologist or neurosurgeon. In case of such injuries, the first step is to undergo a medical examination. It includes:

inspection;
analysis of the circumstances of the incident;
examination by a neurologist;
study of pupillary response to light;
analysis of tongue movements;
heart rate measurement.

X-ray examination of the skull in 2 projections;
magnetic resonance imaging;
CT scan.

How does the treatment work?

Treatment of skull fractures is carried out in a neurosurgical clinic. To prevent infection and the development of purulent infection, antibiotics with a wide range of action are prescribed. Treatment of the nasopharynx and middle ear is mandatory.

When a purulent process forms, antimicrobial agents are introduced into the subarachnoid membrane. The most commonly used drugs are Kanamycin, Monomycin, Polymyxin. Further treatment depends on the severity of the injury and can be medicinal or surgical.

Conservative drug treatment is prescribed for mild or moderate injuries. Treatment methods are as follows:

Strict bed rest. The patient's head should always be in an elevated position, which prevents the release of cerebrospinal fluid.
The patient undergoes regular lumbar puncture (collection of spinal cord from lumbar region spine).
Oxygen is introduced into the subarachnoid membranes.
Diuretics are used to eliminate edema.

In some cases only drug treatment not enough. Indications for surgical intervention for a skull fracture are:

the presence of compression of the brain;
multi-splinter wounds;
the pointlessness of eliminating the leakage of cerebrospinal fluid using standard methods;
purulent complications and their relapses.

All these conditions pose a threat to the patient's life. To perform the operation, craniotomy is performed. After this, the open part of the skull is covered with a plate or piece of bone.

Patients who have undergone surgical intervention, require long-term rehabilitation according to an individual program. The recovery period is usually difficult for the doctor and the patient.

Consequences of a fracture of the base of the skull

This injury is very dangerous and can be accompanied by the following complications:

Formation of intracranial hematomas. They are capable of compressing brain tissue.
Damage to brain tissue, which can sometimes be incompatible with life.
The addition of an infectious process can cause inflammation of the brain and abscesses in a person.
Due to splintered damage to the base of the skull, bleeding occurs into the cranial cavity. They can cause severe disturbances in brain activity.
When the ethmoid bone is destroyed, emphysema is formed - accumulations of air that lead to embolism.

After recovery, the patient may develop long-term consequences. The reason for their appearance is incomplete renewal of brain tissue and the development of scars at the fracture site. Among them are:

frequent epileptic episodes;
paralysis;
a sharp increase in intracerebral pressure;
apoplexy;
severe disruption of brain function;
mental disorders (impaired memory, attention, decreased intellectual abilities).

The most severe damage occurs to the nerves inside the skull. It causes damage to vision, hearing, and coordination of movements eyeballs. In this case, the patient becomes disabled.

Prognosis for full recovery

Predicting the outcome of treatment for such injuries is always difficult. The prognosis depends on the severity of the damage, the presence of a purulent process, concomitant pathologies and first aid. The probability of death is 25 - 50%.

If the victim has a few cracks and no bone displacement, the prognosis is usually favorable. If an infection occurs, the victim may subsequently experience epileptic seizures and increased intracerebral pressure, which does not allow a return to their previous lifestyle.

The development of coma has a poor prognosis. The prognosis for deep and extreme coma is absolutely unfavorable. Patients who survive such injuries experience serious impairments in intellectual activity and vital functions. All this subsequently leads to lifelong disability.

Any injury to the skull is an extremely serious injury. The patient must be provided with emergency first aid, after which he is transported to a medical facility as soon as possible. Treatment tactics are determined depending on the degree of brain damage.

Fainting with convulsions

With a sharp outflow of blood from the brain, a short-term loss of consciousness is possible. In this case, fainting with convulsions can last from a few seconds to 10-12 minutes, and the longer it is, the more dangerous and serious its consequences.

At this time, patients are unable to adequately assess the surrounding situation and take any action, so it is extremely important that there are close people nearby who can provide first aid in case of a convulsive attack.

Causes of convulsive fainting

As a rule, for the development of such a condition, there are predisposing factors that have a direct impact on the human body.

The most common factors that may be accompanied by seizures are:

physical and mental trauma;
pain attack, fear, prolonged stay in a stuffy room;
sudden change in body position (from horizontal to vertical);
drop or increase in blood pressure;
heart attack, arrhythmia;
in some cases, an attack occurs due to a malfunction of internal organs (cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, central nervous system disorder, vascular problems, etc.).

Quite often, loss of consciousness, accompanied by convulsive syndrome, occurs as a result of tumor-like neoplasms in the brain and epilepsy.

The etiology of a neuroepileptic attack is not fully understood, but, as a rule, this condition is accompanied by stroke, anoxia (hypoxia) of the meninges, which leads to loss of consciousness.

Types of fainting and their consequences

Spontaneous loss of consciousness can be short-term and persistent. As is correct, short-term fainting does not pose a threat to life and lasts no more than a few minutes.

Short-term fainting can occur with the following diseases:

state of hypoglycemia (sharp decrease in blood glucose);
epilepsy;
ONMK;
a sharp change in blood pressure;
minor brain injuries (concussions, bruises).

Persistent loss of consciousness is accompanied by more dangerous consequences, and even if timely assistance is provided, a threat to the patient’s life remains.
The development of persistent fainting is possible as a result of the following factors:

extensive strokes and cerebral hemorrhages;
cardiac arrest and arrhythmia;
subarachnoid hemorrhages resulting from aortic ruptures;
various states of shock;
severe TBI;
acute poisoning of the body;
heavy bleeding due to damage to internal organs.

In addition, the pathological condition may be the result of asphyxia with prolonged oxygen starvation.

Factors influencing the development of the disease

Loss of consciousness depends on the cause of its occurrence:

1. Hyperthermia

Quite often the cause of seizures, which are accompanied by loss of consciousness, is heat bodies. Most often, hyperthermia with convulsions occurs in childhood. For adult patients, the temperature limit is 40 degrees. In children, convulsions can occur at a temperature of 38-39 degrees. In this case, the symptoms of the pathological condition appear suddenly. The child tenses, his head is thrown back, and his gaze is fixed at one point, then a convulsive attack occurs.

2. Pregnancy

Loss of consciousness, accompanied by convulsions in pregnant women, is considered one of the most dangerous complications, the result of which can be premature birth, disturbances in intrauterine development of the fetus, etc. This condition reminds us of coma and with frequent fainting, there is a possibility of death for the woman.

3. Alcohol intoxication

This condition does not appear very often, but is considered a rather serious problem in medicine. This situation is accompanied by sudden pallor of the patient, he loses consciousness with the onset of a convulsive attack. Loss of consciousness can be sudden, and after the attacks the patient can sleep soundly for 6-7 hours.

Quite often alcohol intoxication acquires chronic form, repeating regularly. Uncontrolled consumption of alcohol can provoke the development of irreversible processes in the brain, which cause fainting, accompanied by convulsions, even in the absence of alcohol intake.

Development of convulsive syndrome in children

Sudden fainting in children, accompanied by convulsions, requires mandatory medical intervention, since the consequences of such symptoms can be unpredictable. Often the cause of this condition is traumatic brain injury. Brief loss of consciousness is complicated by sudden bleeding from the ears and mouth. In this case, emergency hospitalization of the child is necessary to clarify the diagnosis and further treatment.

In children under 2 years of age, convulsive fainting is possible with increased excitability of the nervous system. In this case, an external stimulus can be a loud cry, which is accompanied by cessation of breathing during inspiration, cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle and hypoxia, which ultimately leads to loss of consciousness. However, it is important to consider that in some cases the opposite effect is possible when fainting is preceded by a seizure, which is most often provoked by hyperthermia. In addition, children have a hereditary predisposition to developing seizures, which can occur with normal fainting.

Differences between epilepsy and convulsive syncope

When diagnosing, it is necessary to differentiate epilepsy from convulsive syncope, since both of these conditions are accompanied by changes in blood pressure and pupil dilation. As a rule, after loss of consciousness has occurred, the patient cannot remember what preceded such a state.

However, between epileptic and seizure There are differences:

loss of consciousness may be accompanied by warning signs such as dizziness, ringing in the ears, headache and weakness. However, this condition never occurs during sleep, unlike epilepsy, the attack of which occurs completely unexpectedly. It can occur during movement, even at night when a person is sleeping;
if the patient loses consciousness as a result of psychological and physical influences, he is able to subsequently talk about them, in contrast to an epileptic attack, the cause of which patients cannot explain. Epileptic seizure always accompanied by involuntary urination, in contrast to ordinary fainting;
convulsive manifestations vary in form: with the development of fainting, convulsions can be clonic. Muscle contraction and relaxation occurs very quickly. Epileptic fainting is characterized by the development of generalized tonic-clonic forms, in which the muscle group is constrained by a spasm for 3-5 minutes, followed by a transition to the clonic phase.

Most often, fainting is short-lived. In this case, the patient’s consciousness returns within a few seconds, but retardation remains.

First aid

In the event that the patient's unconscious state is accompanied by a seizure, it is recommended to immediately begin providing first aid. first aid:

First of all, you should call a medical team;
if there is a clear cause of loss of consciousness, measures should be taken to eliminate it;
The patient should be placed on a horizontal surface with his legs elevated using a pillow or bolster. This position will ensure blood flow to the head and normalize general state sick;
to prevent the tongue from sinking and biting, it is necessary to wrap a wooden spoon or any available item in a napkin or thick cloth and place it between the victim’s teeth;
It is important to ensure that vomiting does not occur, which can lead to asphyxia. To prevent this, you need to put the patient on his side, holding his head.

An unconscious person must be sprayed with cold water and provide access to fresh air by unbuttoning clothes and opening the window, and also allowing a swab with ammonia to sniff.

Prevention

If certain preventive measures are followed, the frequency of fainting can be significantly reduced.

Prevention includes:

prevention of stressful situations, feelings of hunger and increased fatigue;
dosed physical activity to avoid overwork;
hardening procedures;
normalization of rest and work schedules;
mandatory night sleep of at least 8 hours;
You should not suddenly change your body position from horizontal to vertical to prevent orthostatic collapse (loss of consciousness);
it is important to maintain normal blood vessels and control blood pressure; a sudden change in blood pressure can cause fainting;
Particular attention to one’s own health must be paid to patients with heart diseases that are accompanied by arrhythmia, since in this case fainting can result in the death of the patient.

It should be noted that in case of a single case of loss of consciousness with convulsions, it is not necessary to go to a medical institution, although you can do this for your own peace of mind. However, if this situation recurs and especially systematic fainting, seeking medical advice is mandatory, as this may indicate signs of serious diseases in the body that require diagnosis.

It is impossible to say with certainty whether fainting conditions are dangerous or not. To do this, you need to find out the nature of the development of this condition. A detailed medical history and consultation with a highly qualified specialist, including a psychotherapist, are of great importance, since quite often the provoking cause of the pathological condition is psychogenic factors.

Anyone can encounter this situation, and some have even witnessed this, when in a stuffy vehicle, in the middle of the street or in any other place, a person suddenly suddenly falls to the ground, does not move and does not react to what is happening around him.

Of course, in most cases, passers-by stop, want to help, they just don’t know how... As a result, people get lost, precious time is wasted, and before the ambulance arrives, the person may even die. But any of us or our loved ones could actually be in his place...

EYEWITNESS EFFECT:

Chances are good that your first reaction to a situation if someone has fallen unconscious will be to want to leave quickly. This happens because you become scared, you feel insecure - what if you fail to provide the right help, do something wrong, and the person dies.

There is even a term in psychology "bystander effect"- it lies in the fact that, at the moment when help is needed, the more people are nearby, the less likely it is that any of them will provide help.
This happens because each of them believes that someone else will help, people rely on each other - but in the end no one helps. Therefore, it is necessary to act first, and not wait for someone else to do it.

After you show the initiative, the others will begin to help you, but if not, choose an assistant, but not abstractly addressing the crowd, but call out to one specific person and address him, after which all the eyes of the crowd are directed at your “assistant” and he is already he simply cannot refuse, pushed by the pressure of others.

Now let's try to figure out together what to do if a person faints, and how to act in this situation?

Why do people lose consciousness?

The main mechanism of fainting (or “syncope” - from Greek) is various disturbances in cerebral blood flow. The brain, roughly speaking, “shuts down” because it is no longer supplied with oxygen or nutrients necessary for functioning.

Another common cause of fainting is a lack of glucose in the blood. A similar situation is often observed in people with diabetes.

Did you know that brain cells get energy exclusively from glucose?

However, fainting often occurs due to low oxygen supply and a drop in blood pressure. For example, in a stuffy room, transport, in the heat or from severe stress.

How to help a person who is fainting?

To bring a person out of a fainting state, you need to approach the lying victim, turn him on his back and check (no, not his pockets for valuables) the presence of breathing and heart contractions (pulse).

To check whether a fainting person is breathing, just look to see if his chest and/or stomach rises and falls. You can also put your ear to his mouth and try to hear the noise from the movement of exhaled air.

To check for the presence of heart contractions, it is enough to determine the pulse in any accessible artery.
For example, the carotid artery is in the neck. You can also determine the pulsation on the radial artery, for this near the wrist joint on the side thumb We place the victim’s hands with our 3 fingers on the part of the forearm that is closer to the palm and feel the pulse. Or, if it is difficult for you to feel the pulse, you can simply listen to the chest with your ear for the presence of a heartbeat, but this is very impractical and often inconvenient.

Breathing, like the pulse, may be present - and then there will be fewer problems with providing assistance, or absent - which makes the situation much more dangerous. In the second case, if there is no breathing and heart contractions, this is no longer fainting, but clinical death. More on this in another article. However, with simple fainting, breathing and heartbeat usually remain.

So, breathing and heartbeat have been checked, if they are present, then you need to follow the first aid algorithm for fainting:

Place the person on a flat surface, on their back. There is no need to put anything under your head as a pillow.
Unbutton the victim's clothing - collar, cuffs, belts, etc. (just don’t get carried away, especially if the victim is a beautiful girl and you are unmarried).
Elevate the victim's legs so that they are slightly higher than their head. This will help increase blood flow to the brain.

You can also fan the victim’s face to bring in fresh air. You can easily pat a person on the cheeks, just be careful not to leave bruises.

If, by luck, you happen to have ammonia on hand, soak a handkerchief or napkin in it and bring it to the victim’s nose, this measure will reflexively excite his respiratory center and help him come to his senses as quickly as possible.

IMPORTANT! Under no circumstances should you sniff ammonia from a bottle - this may cause respiratory arrest.

If there is no ammonia nearby, you can use strong perfume or cologne.

After carrying out the described activities, consciousness should return within a few minutes. After the person has recovered from fainting, it is advisable to give him sweet tea or coffee, or simply give him water to drink.

Having done everything right, you helped the person get out of fainting - and now he is eternally grateful to you and will never forget your kindness. Well, you also received a significant plus to your karma.

If a child or an elderly person has lost consciousness, it is advisable to call Ambulance so that the victim’s condition is checked by professional doctors.

IMPORTANT!

As mentioned above, loss of consciousness can occur in people with diabetes. This occurs due to a sharp deficiency of glucose in the blood. This condition is called "hypoglycemic coma".
People with this condition often carry notes with them stating that they have diabetes, as well as candy or sugar cubes. To help such a person, it is urgent to give him something sweet to eat: ice cream, candy, sugar.
If a person is unconscious, but you suspect he has hypoglycemia, put a small piece of sweets or sugar under his tongue and call an ambulance.

Algorithm for providing first aid to a person who faints (syncope):

check for breathing and heartbeat;
unbutton all constricting parts of clothing;
raise the victim's legs;
fan the victim’s face to get air in;
pat on the cheeks, or shake, sprinkle water on the face;
give ammonia to smell;
if necessary, call an ambulance.

Sudden loss of consciousness, which may be caused by traumatic brain injury, epileptic seizure, sudden changes in pressure - disruption of the nervous system central system. When a person faints, he loses his balance, falls and remains motionless for some time, not reacting to touches, screams, or clapping.

Spontaneous loss or loss of consciousness is divided into short-term and persistent forms, somatogenic and neurogenic origin. The first type of syndrome does not pose any 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 in plasma glucose.
Disruption of normal blood flow: due to lack of oxygen, fatigue.
Sudden changes in pressure.
Concussion of the “gray matter”.

Persistent fainting and long-term loss of consciousness occurs with the most serious consequences for a person. Even if timely assistance is provided, such conditions are dangerous for the patient’s life.

Such pathologies include:

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

A state of prolonged fainting of a neurogenic nature is observed in primary autonomic pathology of the peripheral type. The syndrome is chronic in nature 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 failure. The condition occurs in acute form, is noted in the presence of somatic pathologies: diabetes, amyloidosis, alcohol abuse, chronic failure kidney, bronchial carcinoma, porphoria.

Dizziness due to fainting is accompanied by other symptoms: fixed heart rate, anhidrosis.

In general, various circumstances can provoke a sudden fall:

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

Fainting and its causes may be associated with oxygen deprivation due to intoxication, suffocation, diabetes, uremia or hypoglycemia. Short attacks often occur as a result of head injury, hemorrhages of various origins, poisoning, external and superficial extensive bleeding, and heart disease.

Forms of pathological syndrome

Why a person faints must be found out after the first attack. Indeed, in this state the patient risks injury. The syndrome may indicate the presence of a serious illness.

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

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

Neurogenic condition – conduction disturbance nerve endings:

emotiogenic – strong unexpected emotions (painful sensations, fear);
maladaptive - appears when there is a change in addiction to external factors(overheating, increased loads);
discirculatory – short-term disturbance cerebral circulation (when the neck turns, the vertebral vessels supplying the “gray matter” bend).

Somatogenic condition – associated with pathologies of internal systems other than the brain:

cardiogenic – occurs when there are interruptions in the functioning of the heart muscle, a short-term stop;
anemic condition - 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 low oxygen content in the air;
hypovolemic – occurs when blood volume decreases due to burns or significant blood loss;
intoxication loss of consciousness - develops as a result of oversaturation of the body harmful substances(poisoning with alcoholic drinks, medications);
drug pathology – the result of taking medications that lower blood pressure;
hyperbaric loss of consciousness - develops when high blood pressure in the atmosphere.

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

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 determine the problem. But finding out the causes of loss of consciousness is often quite difficult. For this purpose they use various methods diagnostics:

Familiarization with the medical history, during which the doctor can determine 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. Irritating factors are determined - being in a stuffy room, physical and mental fatigue, hot weather.
Laboratory testing:

a general examination of blood plasma makes it possible to determine the presence of anemia;
Glucose testing helps determine whether a patient is suffering from hyper- or hypoglycemia.

Instrumental examination:

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

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

It is necessary to check the heart muscle

Symptoms of fainting

People who have attacks quite often 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 epidermis;
extraneous noise in the ears, white spots before the eyes.

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

After a fall, the patient most often comes to his senses within 2-3 seconds. During prolonged attacks, convulsions and uncontrolled release of urine may occur. This type of fainting is sometimes confused with an epileptic seizure.

The causes of the syndrome must be identified 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 the pathology.

Weakness and dizziness are signs of loss of consciousness

Fainting in pregnant women

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

To avoid losing consciousness, pregnant women are not recommended to:

Bend down, forward.
Wear tight underwear and clothes.
Squeeze your throat with scarves and 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 drop in pressure can cause a similar condition.

The second reason why people faint in an “interesting position” is low hemoglobin. When carrying a child, there is an increased consumption of iron. After childbirth, anemia can only gain momentum. For these purposes, doctors prescribe medications containing this trace element.

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: poor diet, dehydration, increased physical and mental activity, chronic diseases, alcohol abuse.

With hypoglycemia, fainting has symptoms such as:

excessive overexcitation, anxiety, aggressiveness, feelings of fear and anxiety;
severe sweating, rapid heartbeat, tachycardia;
dilated pupils, muscle tremors during fainting;
visual impairment;
pallor of the skin during fainting;
high pressure;
severe dizziness, pulsating spasms;
problems with coordination when fainting;
circulatory and respiratory disorders.

Hypoglycemia, with its rapid development, can cause neurogenic loss of consciousness in people who are predisposed to it or lead to a comatose and soporous pathological state.

Critical blood sugar levels cause syncope

Fainting syndrome in women

In past centuries, many ladies could fall or lose consciousness due to tight corsets, squeezing the ribs and preventing normal breathing, as well as poor nutrition and lack of iron in the blood.

Nowadays, representatives of the fair sex most often lose their balance due to menstruation. The causes of loss of consciousness and fainting are:

Neglecting the use of iron-containing medications during menstruation, which prevents the development of severe anemia against the background of heavy bleeding.
The presence of hormonal or gynecological diseases that disrupt the contractile functions of the maca, causing pain during menstruation, relieved by taking Indomethacin.

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

Loss of iron on critical days can result in fainting

Brain injuries

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

concussion of the “gray matter” – damage without pronounced disturbances in the functioning of the organ; signs of fainting that appear immediately after a head injury either 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;
bruise of the “gray matter” - moderate, mild and severe forms of the pathological condition are distinguished;
compression of the brain - can be observed in the presence of a foreign body, hematoma;
axonal diffuse damage;
subarachnoid type of hemorrhage.

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

Treatment of fainting

Before the arrival of qualified doctors, the victim must be provided with emergency assistance. The person near the victim must know what to do if he loses consciousness. If the patient faints, a number of measures should be taken, as a result of which the person should regain consciousness:

Protect the person from possible injuries, paying special attention to the head.
During fainting, place the victim on a comfortable, level couch.
Raise your legs slightly higher than your body.
If you faint, remove tight, uncomfortable items.
Place the victim on his side, not on his back (since relaxed muscle tissue tongue may interfere with the breathing process).
Ensure normal air circulation in the room in which the patient is located.
During 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 release of urine, convulsions, it is necessary to urgently call an emergency medical team.

A sudden loss of consciousness can catch the victim anywhere; the main thing is not to get confused and promptly provide first-aid before qualified doctors arrive.

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

Adaptogen substances allow a person to get used to climate conditions. If you lose consciousness as a result of poor nutrition, you should supplement your diet healthy products, give up strict diets.

First steps in case of fainting

If a representative of the fairer sex experiences fainting during heavy bleeding during menstruation, it is necessary to use medications that facilitate 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.

A victim who has come to his senses after fainting should not be given nitroglycerin if his heart hurts or tingles. It can sharply lower blood pressure, causing repeated loss of consciousness. Often, the pathological condition is observed against the background of hypotension, in which nitrate-based drugs are strictly contraindicated for the patient.

Prevention of pathological condition

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 prevention methods:

proper, balanced nutrition during fainting: eating foods with a high amount of fiber (greens, fresh fruits, vegetables), it is better to steam food without hot spices;
Divide meals into small parts (up to 6 times/day);
feasible physical and mental stress when fainting: visiting the pool, jogging;
giving up cigarettes and alcoholic drinks.

In case of fainting and an unsuccessful fall, some complications may develop: traumatic brain injuries, fractures, disruption of work activity. As a result of complications, the patient cannot lead his usual lifestyle.

Fainting is a rather dangerous symptom, indicating the presence of serious disorders in the human body. Providing first aid should begin urgently - the eyewitness does not have time to think. How faster man will begin resuscitation procedures, the more likely the victim is to make a full recovery.