Losing consciousness for no reason. Fainting and loss of consciousness: what's the difference? First aid

This is a state that, for sure, even if it has not happened in everyone’s life, is nevertheless familiar as such. Fainting is a sudden, but short-term attack loss of consciousness, the condition of which is a temporary disruption of cerebral blood flow. In addition to cases of fainting of a neurogenic or other nature loss of consciousness can occur as a manifestation of various conditions and a symptom of various diseases.

Causes of fainting and other types of loss of consciousness

Accompanies the following body conditions:

• epilepsy;
• hypoglycemia (temporary decrease in blood glucose levels);
• cerebrovascular accidents (for example, due to fatigue or lack of oxygen);
• sudden changes in blood pressure;
• brain concussion.

Persistent loss of consciousness happens with more serious consequences for the body. Even with timely medical care and resuscitation, such conditions pose a danger to human health and life. These include:

• extensive cerebral hemorrhage, stroke;
• cardiac arrest or serious irregularities in heart rhythm;
• rupture of aortic aneurysm (subarachnoid hemorrhage);
• various types of shock;
• severe traumatic brain injury;
• acute poisoning of the body;
• damage to vital organs and internal bleeding, heavy blood loss;
• various types of asphyxia, conditions that develop as a result of oxygen starvation;
• diabetic coma.

Loss of consciousness of neurogenic origin observed in the picture of primary peripheral autonomic failure. It is also called progressive autonomic failure, which has a chronic course and is represented by diseases such as idiopathic orthostatic hypotension, strionigral degeneration, Shy-Drager syndrome (variants of multiple system atrophy).

Loss of consciousness of somatogenic origin observed in the picture of secondary peripheral failure. It has an acute course and develops against the background of somatic diseases (amyloidosis, diabetes mellitus, alcoholism, chronic renal failure, porphyria, bronchial carcinoma, leprosy and other diseases). Dizziness in the picture of peripheral autonomic failure is always accompanied by other characteristic manifestations: anhidrosis, fixed heart rate, etc.

In general, call loss of consciousness There can be a variety of circumstances, for example:

• severe hypothermia or overheating, resulting in freezing or heat stroke;
• lack of oxygen;
• dehydration of the body;
• severe pain and traumatic shock;
• emotional shock or nervous tension.

The reasons may lie in insufficient oxygen content in the blood due to suffocation, poisoning, metabolic disorders, for example, or,. Loss of consciousness may also contain direct effects, such as head injuries, hemorrhages of various natures (mainly in the brain), poisoning (for example, alcohol or mushrooms), as well as indirect effects (for example, internal and extensive external bleeding, shock, heart disease and inhibition of the brain center responsible for blood circulation).

Clinical manifestations of loss of consciousness

Usually, fainting is a symptom of a more serious illness, indicating the need to consult a medical specialist and create or adjust a treatment regimen. In certain cases, fainting passes without a trace. However, loss of consciousness is accompanied by a wide range of symptoms - from an exclusively fainting state to a complex of symptoms and organic disorders during coma or clinical death.

As mentioned earlier, this is a sudden and short-term loss of consciousness that occurs as a result of a temporary disruption of cerebral blood flow. Symptoms of fainting usually consist of a feeling of lightheadedness and nausea, foggy consciousness, flickering in the eyes, and ringing in the ears. The patient develops weakness, yawning, legs give way, the person turns pale, and sometimes perspiration appears. Coming as soon as possible loss of consciousness- the pulse quickens or, conversely, slows down, muscles weaken, neurological reflexes disappear or weaken, blood pressure decreases, heart sounds weaken, the skin turns pale and gray, the pupils dilate, and their level of reaction to light decreases. At the peak of fainting or if it lasts too long, convulsions and involuntary urination are likely to develop.

It is necessary to distinguish between fainting of epileptic and non-epileptic nature.

• non-epileptic nature develops in the following pathological conditions:
• decreased cardiac output - the heart rhythm is disturbed, stenosis of the aorta or pulmonary arteries develops, an attack of angina or a heart attack;
• decreased oxygen content in the blood - anemia, asphyxia, hypoxia.

Epileptic seizure

Develops in sick individuals. Its occurrence depends on a combination of intracerebral factors - the activity of the seizure focus and general seizure activity. Factors that provoke an epileptic attack can be various conditions of the body (menstruation, sleep phases, etc.) and external influences (for example, flickering light). Difficulties in identifying a seizure may be due to the fact that in certain cases the seizure is non-convulsive and there are no characteristic symptoms. Diagnostic information is provided by a blood test for creatine phosphokinase and electroencephalography (EEG).

An epileptic attack begins suddenly with tonic muscle contractions, lasting about a minute and moving into a phase with sharp twitching of the whole body. Often a seizure begins with a scream. In the majority of cases, saliva mixed with blood is released from the mouth. Epileptic dizziness and fainting are less common and are especially often combined with attacks caused by cardiovascular disorders. The correct diagnosis can be made if they are recurrent in nature without signs of circulatory disorders.

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia- a pathology that develops when the concentration of glucose in the blood decreases. The reasons for a drop in sugar levels may be dehydration, poor diet, excessive physical activity, disease state of the body, alcohol abuse, hormonal deficiency and other factors.

Manifestations of hypoglycemia are as follows:

• excitement and increased aggressiveness, restlessness, anxiety, fear;
• excessive sweating;
• arrhythmia and tachycardia;
• tremor and muscle hypertonicity;
• pupil dilation;
• visual disturbances;
• pale skin;
• increased blood pressure;
• disorientation;
• headache, dizziness;
• impaired coordination of movements;
• focal neurological disorders
• respiratory and circulatory disorders (central origin).

Hypoglycemia, with its rapid development, can contribute to neurogenic syncope in individuals predisposed to it or lead to a soporous and comatose state.

Traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury- damage to the bones of the skull and/or soft tissues (brain tissue, blood vessels, nerves, meninges). Depending on the complexity of the damage, there are several types of TBI:

• concussion is an injury that is not accompanied by persistent disturbances in brain function; symptoms that occur early after injury either go away over the next few days or indicate more serious brain damage; the main criteria for the severity of a concussion are the duration (from several seconds to hours) and the subsequent depth of loss of consciousness and the state of amnesia;
• brain contusion - there are mild, moderate and severe bruises;
• compression of the brain - possible through a hematoma, foreign body, air, bruise;
• diffuse axonal damage;
• subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Symptoms of TBI include impairment or loss of consciousness (stupor, coma), damage to cranial nerves, and cerebral hemorrhages.

State of shock

Shock - a pathological condition of the body that develops under the influence of a super-strong irritant that causes disturbances in vital functions. The causes of shock and loss of consciousness against its background are severe conditions of the body, which are accompanied by:

• severe pain reaction;
• major blood loss;
• extensive burns;
• a combination of these factors.
• A state of shock is manifested by a number of symptoms:
• instant depression of body functions after short-term stimulation;
• lethargy and indifference;
• the skin is pale and cold;
• the appearance of perspiration, cyanosis or grayishness of the skin;
• weakening of the pulse and acceleration of its frequency;
• breathing is frequent but shallow;
• dilated pupils, subsequently loss of vision;
• possibly vomiting.

First aid for loss of consciousness

Loss of consciousness is a condition that can pass without a trace for the body, can mean a dangerous symptom of a developing disease, and can already at a given specific moment pose a danger to the life of the victim. Therefore, despite the need to promptly seek professional help, it is necessary to know the first aid measures for a person who has lost consciousness.

When fainting

The main danger of fainting is that all muscles relax, including the tongue, the retraction of which can block the airways. Before the ambulance arrives, it is necessary to ensure that the victim is in a recovery position - on his side. Since at the first aid stage it is not always possible to determine the cause of fainting, for example, to differentially diagnose fainting from coma, it is imperative to seek professional help.

During an epileptic attack

The purpose of first aid for an epileptic attack is to prevent harm to the health of the epileptic. The onset of an attack is often, but not always, accompanied by loss of consciousness and a person falling to the floor, which must be prevented if possible in order to avoid bruises and fractures. Then you need to hold the person’s head, promoting the flow of saliva through the corner of the mouth so that it does not enter the respiratory tract. If the victim's jaws are tightly closed, there is no need to try to open them. After the end of the convulsions and relaxation of the body, it is necessary to put the victim in a recovery position - on his side, this is necessary to prevent the root of the tongue from retracting. Usually 10-15 minutes after the attack, the person completely returns to his normal state and no longer needs first aid.

For hypoglycemia

Loss of consciousness during hypoglycemia usually does not develop spontaneously; it is preceded by a gradually deteriorating state of health of the victim. Patients who are already unconscious in a state of hypoglycemia should never be given liquids or other foods, as this can lead to undesirable consequences, such as asphyxia. As first aid in such situations, 1 mg of glucagon should be administered intramuscularly; it indirectly causes an increase in blood glucose. In a hospital setting, intravenous administration of 40% glucose is more readily available than glucagon and results in a rapid return of consciousness.

For traumatic brain injury

If there is an episode of loss of consciousness, the patient, regardless of his current condition, needs to be transported to a hospital. This is due to the high potential risk of developing severe life-threatening complications. After admission to the hospital, the patient undergoes a clinical examination, anamnesis is collected, if possible, and the nature of the injury is clarified with him or those accompanying him. Then a set of diagnostic measures is performed aimed at checking the integrity of the bone frame of the skull and the presence of intracranial hematomas and other damage to brain tissue.

In shock

First aid consists of providing the victim with peace. If his condition is accompanied by a fracture of a limb, immobilize it; if injured, stop the bleeding by applying a bandage or tourniquet. To improve blood flow to the brain and heart, raise the victim’s legs slightly above head level, warm him up - cover him with outerwear or wrap him in a blanket. If consciousness is preserved and there is no danger of vomiting, give the victim painkillers and fluids. Loss of consciousness is an unfavorable symptom, indicating an urgent need to seek professional help. Urgent hospitalization is required.

The above cases are not exhaustive of the conditions for the development of fainting, and then it is necessary to adequately respond to the person’s condition and certainly seek professional help if fainting affects a pregnant woman, an elderly person or a person with visible manifestations of other diseases.

Loss of consciousness is a symptom of many diseases. Sometimes it is a consequence of an acute transient lack of blood circulation in the brain and then we are talking about “syncope”, and sometimes it is a sign of much more serious events in the body. Regardless of the reasons, any loss of consciousness frightens others who, panicking, begin to make mistakes when providing first aid. How will be correct? To do this, it is worth understanding why loss of consciousness occurs.

There are many reasons for loss of consciousness, but they can be combined into 4 large groups:

• due to insufficient blood flow to the brain;
• due to decreased blood oxygen saturation;
• due to metabolic disorders (deterioration of brain nutrition);
• due to a disruption in the transmission of impulses along nerve fibers in the brain or the emergence of pathological foci of excitation in it.

Loss of consciousness due to insufficient inflow occurs:

• As a result of a pathological reaction of the nervous system to emerging stimuli (fear, fatigue). At this moment, the blood vessels in the brain expand, the pressure in them drops, the speed of blood flow slows down, as a result of which the nutrition of the brain structures sharply deteriorates.
• For heart diseases. This is due to a sharp decrease in cardiac output with the appearance of various types of arrhythmias and blockades.
• With orthostatic hypotension, in which a person loses consciousness at the moment of a sharp transition from a horizontal to a vertical position. This is due to a violation of pressure regulation, in which blood does not have time to be redistributed from the lower extremities to other areas of the body, including the brain.
• In any form of shock, when there is a sudden disruption of blood flow to all organs.

Loss of consciousness due to lack of oxygen in the blood occurs in the following situations:

• long stay in a stuffy room;
• severe diseases of the bronchopulmonary system;
• poisoning with poisons that block hemoglobin (carbon monoxide);
• anemia with sharp

- This is the most common “metabolic” cause of loss of consciousness. This disease, if inadequately treated, can easily lead to severe metabolic disorders and coma.

Pathological foci in the brain occur when. This is the only type of loss of consciousness in which a person retains motor activity. , - these conditions, accompanied by a sharp disruption of cell nutrition and their destruction, lead to loss of consciousness due to the cessation of the transmission of nerve impulses.

Most often, loss of consciousness occurs in the following situations:

• ventricular tachycardia – 11%;
• sick sinus syndrome – 3%;
• bradycardia, atrioventricular block II-III degree – 3%;
• supraventricular tachycardia – 3%;
• aortic stenosis – 2%;
• epilepsy – 2%;
• transient ischemic attack – 2%.

Diagnostics

Loss of consciousness itself is not difficult to diagnose - the lack of reaction to external stimuli, including painful ones, and complete immobility (excluding convulsions) allow one to clearly identify the problem. But determining the cause is sometimes quite difficult. For this purpose, all diagnostic studies that traditional science is capable of are used:

• medical history examination, during which it is possible to identify the presence of diseases that can lead to loss of consciousness or the use of medications that lower blood pressure or affect the functions of the nervous system; in addition, if possible, the provoking factor is determined - a sharp rise, staying in a stuffy room, heat, physical stress, etc.
• laboratory research:
  • A complete blood count can detect severe anemia;
  • a glucose test helps determine whether the patient has developed hypo- or hyperglycemia;
  • A blood oxygen saturation test helps identify problems that are preventing adequate oxygenation.
• Instrumental studies:
  • an electrocardiogram allows you to detect the presence of cardiac arrhythmias and blockades; It is also possible to carry out an “advanced” version of the ECG - Holter heart rate monitoring;
  • the heart, which can reveal changes in cardiac contractility and determine the condition of the valve apparatus;
  • Dopplerography of the carotid arteries, which allows you to detect obstacles to blood flow in these vessels;
  • and helps identify damage to brain tissue.

If you faint, first aid should be provided immediately, as the cause of this condition is often unknown, but can be very serious. An unconscious person should be taken out of the stuffy room into fresh air. You need to unbutton your shirt collar. Check for carotid pulse and spontaneous breathing. If they are present, then apply a cotton swab moistened with ammonia to the nasal passages.

Attention! Do not move the victim unless you can rule out serious injury (fall from height, car accident). A person may have a broken spine, and each extra movement increases the risk of disability or death.

If the patient does not regain consciousness, it is necessary to lay him on his side in a safe position. This is necessary in order to prevent the tongue from retracting. In addition, in this state, vomiting is quite common, and a person may choke on the vomit. The only exception is convulsions, during which the patient cannot be moved. Instead, you just need to insure his head so that he doesn’t break it on hard objects and surfaces.

Attention! Never try to give any pills or liquids to an unconscious person! In such patients, the swallowing reflex is sharply reduced, so the medicine can enter the respiratory tract, causing asphyxia.

After the person comes to his senses, it is advisable to take him to the hospital for further diagnosis and treatment. However, if the fainting continues for more than 5 minutes, then most likely the cause is quite serious, and one cannot wait for the restoration of consciousness.

Attention! Do not give nitroglycerin to a person who has regained consciousness if he does not complain of heart pain! This can cause a sharp drop in blood pressure and repeated loss of consciousness. Practice shows that most fainting occurs against the background of sudden hypotension, in which nitrate-containing drugs are absolutely contraindicated.

If, along with loss of consciousness, the patient experiences cessation of breathing and heartbeat, cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be started immediately. You shouldn’t think that you can cope with this difficult task if everything you know about it is gleaned from American films. There is a clear algorithm for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and it is best to study it in advance under the guidance of an experienced emergency physician or paramedic of the same service.

Loss of consciousness is a rather formidable symptom, indicating the presence of a serious problem in the body. First aid should begin immediately - the “rescuer” has no time to panic. The faster you return to normal and get to work, the greater the patient’s chances of survival.

Bozbey Gennady Andreevich, emergency physician

People are often concerned about what fainting and loss of consciousness are, what the difference is between these terms, and how to provide proper first aid to an unconscious person.

Characteristics of loss of consciousness

Loss of consciousness is a condition in which the body does not respond to external stimuli and is not aware of the surrounding reality. There are several types of unconsciousness:

Thus, it turns out that fainting is one of the types of loss of consciousness.

Causes of loss of consciousness

The main causes of loss of consciousness are:

• overwork;
• strong pain;
• stress and emotional turmoil;
• dehydration of the body;
• hypothermia or overheating of the body;
• lack of oxygen;
• nervous tension.

Knowing the reasons for fainting and loss of consciousness, what is the difference between these conditions, you can correctly provide first aid.

Brain damage that causes loss of consciousness can be caused by direct effects of poisoning, hemorrhage) or indirect (bleeding, fainting, shock, suffocation, metabolic disorders).

Types of loss of consciousness

There are several types of unconsciousness:

Any manifestations of disturbances in the functioning of body systems can include fainting and loss of consciousness. The severity of symptoms varies depending on the duration of unconsciousness and the presence of additional injuries.

Clinical picture of loss of consciousness

In an unconscious state, the victim has:

Knowing the symptoms of fainting and loss of consciousness, what is the difference between them and how to properly provide first aid, you can prevent the death of the victim, especially if he has no breathing or cardiac activity. Since timely cardiopulmonary resuscitation can restore the functioning of these systems and bring the person back to life.

First aid for loss of consciousness

First of all, it is necessary to eliminate the possible causes of loss of consciousness - take the person out into the fresh air if there is a smell of smoke or gas or electric current in the room. After this, you need to clear the airways. In some cases, it may be necessary to clean the mouth using a tissue.

If a person has no heartbeat or breathing, cardiopulmonary resuscitation must be started immediately. After the restoration of cardiac activity and breathing, the victim must be taken to a medical facility. When transporting the victim, there must be an accompanying person.

If there are no problems with breathing or heart function, you need to increase blood flow to the brain. To do this, the victim must be laid so that the head is slightly lower than the level of the body (if there is a head injury or nosebleed, this step cannot be performed!).

You need to loosen your clothes (untie your tie, unbutton your shirt, unbutton your belt) and open the window to provide fresh air, this will increase the supply of oxygen. You can bring a cotton swab with ammonia to the victim’s nose, in most cases this helps to return him to a conscious state.

Important! If the duration of unconsciousness exceeds 5 minutes, urgent medical attention is needed.

Knowing the difference between fainting and loss of consciousness, you can provide the victim with the correct first aid.

Characteristics of fainting

Fainting is a short-term loss of consciousness caused by a lack of oxygen due to impaired blood supply to the brain. A short-term loss of consciousness does not pose a threat to human life and health and often does not require medical intervention. The duration of this state ranges from several seconds to several minutes. Fainting can be caused by the following pathological conditions of the body:

• disturbances in the nervous regulation of blood vessels during a sudden change in position (transition from a horizontal to a vertical position) or when swallowing;
• with a decrease in cardiac output - stenosis of the pulmonary arteries or aorta, angina attacks, cardiac arrhythmias, myocardial infarction;
• when the concentration of oxygen in the blood decreases - anemia and hypoxia, especially when rising to a high altitude (where one is located or staying in a stuffy room.

The causes of fainting and loss of consciousness must be known in order to be able to distinguish between these conditions and provide the necessary first aid to a person.

Clinical picture of fainting

Fainting is a characteristic manifestation of some diseases. Therefore, if you experience frequent fainting, you must see a doctor and undergo an examination to identify pathological processes in the body.

Fainting is a short-term loss of consciousness caused by a lack of oxygen due to a disruption in the blood supply to the brain. The main symptoms of fainting are nausea and a feeling of stuffiness, ringing in the ears, darkening in the eyes. At the same time, the person begins to turn pale, his muscles weaken and his legs give way. Loss of consciousness is characterized by both increased heart rate and slower heart rate.

In a fainting state, a person’s heart sounds weaken, blood pressure drops, and all neurological reflexes weaken significantly, so convulsions or involuntary urination may occur. Loss of consciousness and fainting are mainly characterized by the victim’s lack of perception of the surrounding reality and what is happening to him.

First aid for fainting

When a person faints, it is possible because his muscles weaken. To prevent this, it is necessary to turn the person on his side and call an ambulance, since it is quite difficult to independently determine the cause of this condition.

First aid for fainting and loss of consciousness makes it possible to support the vital functions of the victim’s body before the ambulance arrives. In most cases, first aid can avoid death.

Without proper examination, it is impossible to identify the exact cause of fainting. Since it can be a consequence of a pathological process in the body, and ordinary fatigue or nervous tension.

Fainting and loss of consciousness. What is the difference between these concepts?

Having understood the features of the unconscious state of the body, we can conclude that loss of consciousness is a general concept. It includes many different manifestations. Fainting is one of them and is a short-term loss of consciousness that occurs as a result of oxygen starvation of the brain.

Syncope (fainting) manifest themselves as a sudden short loss of consciousness and are accompanied by a sharp decrease in muscle tone. Brief loss of consciousness is a fairly common occurrence. Statistics say that almost every third person living on Earth has fainted at least once in their life.

Classification of the disease

According to pathophysiological characteristics, fainting is classified into the following types:

cardiogenic (heart);
reflex;
orthostatic;
cerebrovascular.

Cardiogenic syncope arise as a result of the development of various cardiovascular pathologies, resulting in morphological and structural changes in the functioning of organs (vessels and heart). Depending on the type of pathology, cardiogenic syncope is in turn divided into obstructive and arrhythmogenic.

Reflex fainting Unlike cardiogenic syncope, they are not associated with diseases of the cardiovascular system; the causes of their occurrence are sudden psycho-emotional disorders. There are vasovagal syncope and situational syncope. Vasovagal syncope is the most common, and sudden “lightheadedness” can occur at any age. Vasovagal syncope usually occurs when the body is upright or in a sitting position. Often observed in young people who do not have health problems. Situational syncope can happen when swallowing, when coughing or sneezing, or when defecating or urinating.

Orthostatic collapse associated with the occurrence of lability or insufficiency of vasoconstrictor reflexes. Orthostatic fainting occurs when there is a sudden change in body position from horizontal to vertical. Most often, orthostatic collapse occurs at night or in the morning as a result of abruptly getting out of bed. It can also occur with prolonged standing. Vascular syncope is caused by insufficient tone of the venous system. When changing body position, a sharp redistribution of blood flow occurs, the amount of blood volume in the venous bed increases, and the blood flow to the heart, on the contrary, decreases. Orthostatic hypotension is accompanied by a sudden drop in arterial and venous pressure.

Cerebrovascular syncope- these are, in essence, ischemic transient attacks associated with the venous distance and arising in the vertebrobasilar system. Fainting conditions caused by vertebrobasilar insufficiency are quite rare and are most often observed in elderly people over 60 years of age.

Symptoms and signs

The first occurrence of syncope can become a manifestation of a dangerous, life-threatening disease: myocardial infarction, subarachnoid hemorrhage, heart rhythm disturbances, pulmonary embolism, internal bleeding.

Typical signs of fainting:

Profuse sweating;
dizziness;
tinnitus;
nausea;
flickering or darkening in the eyes;
cardiopalmus;
hot flashes;
pale skin.

A pre-fainting state is manifested by accelerated breathing and increased yawning, thus the body tries to make up for the lack of oxygen to nourish the brain. Further drops of sweat appear on the forehead, the skin turns pale.

When you faint, blood pressure decreases, weakness appears, and breathing becomes shallow. The time spent in an unconscious state can last from one moment to several minutes. In some cases, fainting may be accompanied by convulsions.

Causes of the disease

Fainting can be caused by various disorders in the body - somatic, psychogenic, neurological. Most often, an attack of loss of consciousness is caused by a narrowing of blood flow to the brain. Blood flows to the organ in insufficient volume, which leads to oxygen starvation.

Main causes of fainting:

Problems in the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
chronic lung disease and a number of other diseases;
sugar deficiency;
hunger;
pain;
pregnancy;
large blood loss;
stressful situation or shock.

The cause of fainting can be heatstroke, which can be triggered by high air temperature along with high humidity.

One of the causes of fainting is hypersensitivity of the carotid sinus. Sudden fainting can occur when the arterial bed is affected in the bifurcation zone of the main carotid artery, for example, when massaging this area. Fainting due to increased sensitivity of the carotid sinus occurs more often in men than in women, and if a man is elderly, the risk of this type of fainting condition increases significantly.

The cause of fainting in children is often vegetative-vascular dystonia, which leads to a drop in venous and blood pressure. They are more often observed in children with increased emotional lability. A child who has suffered a severe infectious disease is also susceptible to fainting due to weakening of the body and loss of appetite.

People on strict diets are at risk of fainting from hunger. A girl who strictly limits her diet in order to acquire an ideal figure does not receive enough of the nutrients her body needs. An energy deficiency occurs and the body reduces blood flow to the digestive organs, ensuring the functioning of the heart, brain, and lungs. When there is insufficient blood flow to vital organs, the brain shuts down and loss of consciousness occurs. The consequences of hungry syncope can be quite sad - traumatic brain injuries, lack of coordination, memory gaps, etc.

Syncope during pregnancy occurs due to low blood pressure. A sharp jump in blood pressure in pregnant women can be associated with stuffiness, fatigue, hunger, exacerbation of chronic and respiratory diseases, and emotional distress.

Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnostic measures for fainting are based on:

While studying the patient's history and complaints,
on laboratory examinations;
on additional diagnostic methods.

Laboratory tests can determine the amount of glucose, red blood cells and hemoglobin in the blood. Additional diagnostic tools include:

electrocardiography– study of the heart using electrodes attached to the body;
dopplerography– examination of blood vessels to determine the permeability of blood flow to the brain and identify existing deformations;
spiral CT angiography– giving an idea of ​​the structure of the atherosclerotic plaque, stenosis. This research method allows you to assess blood flow during dosed physical activity, which includes bending, turning and tilting the head, and also determine the relationship of the skull, vertebral arteries and vertebrae.

Brief data
- It is known that in the 18th and 19th centuries, young ladies and ladies of noble birth quite often lost consciousness. The cause of fainting was the universal wearing of corsets.
- In almost 50% of cases of syncope, it is not possible to determine the real cause of fainting.
- According to statistics, about half a million new cases of fainting are registered every year around the world. Among adolescents and children, the number of cases of short-term loss of consciousness is about 15% out of 100; people over 70 years old account for 23%. Short-term fainting in men aged 40 to 59 years is observed in 16% of cases, and in women of the designated age category - 19%.

Fainting is not so safe. If a person is not brought to consciousness in time, a simple fainting spell can be fatal.. The first emergency aid should be to give the unconscious person a body position that will ensure maximum blood flow to the brain. So, for example, if a person is in a sitting position, then he should be laid on a flat surface, with his head lowered between his knees and his lower limbs raised. Fainting may be accompanied by vomiting, so the patient's head should be tilted to the side to prevent aspiration.

It is important to ensure that during an unconscious state the tongue does not sink in and block the airway. It is necessary to provide additional air access; to do this, you need to stretch the clothing that is constricting the body (collar, belt, etc.). If fainting occurs indoors, you should open the windows.

To bring a person to consciousness, irritating influences are often used - ammonia is brought to the patient’s nose, the neck and face are sprinkled with cold water. After the patient has come to his senses, you need to observe him for some time - until the feeling of weakness completely disappears.

If it is not possible to bring a person to consciousness within five minutes, you need to call an ambulance. Deep fainting is a very dangerous phenomenon, especially if the syncope is accompanied by bluishness of the facial skin; in most cases, patients do not survive.

Medical practice in the treatment of fainting uses drugs such as 10% cordiamine, or corazol in a dosage of 1 ml, 10% caffeine benzoate solution. Medicines are administered subcutaneously. To more quickly restore blood pressure, use a 5% ephedrine solution. If after the measures taken the effect is not achieved, doctors carry out such actions as artificial respiration, accompanied by indirect cardiac massage.

Prevention

Prevention of fainting involves avoiding circumstances in which loss of consciousness may occur, that is, stressful situations, hunger, excessive fatigue, etc. Increased physical activity can provoke fainting, so a young guy working out in the gym for several hours in a row risks losing consciousness from physical exhaustion.

Preventive measures include moderate exercise, hardening, normal work, sleep and rest.

In the morning, when getting out of bed, you should not make sudden movements, since a rapid transition from a lying position to a standing position can lead to orthostatic collapse.

Traditional methods of treatment

One of the most popular folk methods for treating fainting conditions is considered to be sweet coffee or herbal tea (mint, chamomile); it is also recommended to drink a small amount of cognac or wine.

For frequent fainting caused by psycho-emotional experiences, traditional medicine recommends drinking teas with lemon balm, linden, and St. John's wort.

Traditional healers suggest treating frequent fainting with a decoction of gentian. To prepare it you should take 2 tsp. chopped herbs and pour two glasses of boiling water over them. It is necessary to take the miraculous remedy three times a day, in a dosage of ½ glass, preferably before meals.

To prevent frequent fainting, you can use the following remedy: grind 1 tbsp in a coffee grinder. spoon of wormwood seeds, add 100 ml of olive oil to the mixture and leave for ten hours. Transfer the prepared medicine into a dark glass jar and store it in the refrigerator. Directions for use: place a couple of drops of the medicinal mixture on a refined piece of sugar, take twice a day.

To bring a person to consciousness, traditional medicine suggests using essential oils - rosemary, mint, camphor.

You can bring a person back to consciousness by applying a crushed burdock leaf to the solar plexus area. A wax ointment, which has cooling properties, is applied to the crown of the patient.

A special massage will also come to the aid of a sick person. Providing assistance consists of massaging the pads of the fingers, kneading the earlobes, and massaging certain points. One of them is located under the nasal septum, the other is in the center of the fold under the lower lip.

As a rule, a person’s loss of consciousness is associated with a disruption of the central nervous system. During such an incident, people cannot maintain their balance and fall, unable to move their limbs. Only the presence of convulsions during the period of loss of consciousness is possible. In addition, people in this state do not react to others, are not able to think logically and answer questions from others.

Causes of loss of consciousness:

At the moment, there are several reasons due to which there is a risk of loss of consciousness. Here are the main ones:

The first is a lack of blood flow to areas of the brain;

The second is insufficient nutrition of the brain;

Third, a small percentage of oxygen in the blood;

Fourth - improper operation and the occurrence of uncharacteristic discharges in the brain area.

These and other violations may indicate temporary illnesses or serious health problems.

Insufficient blood flow to the brain can occur:

1. This reason may be a consequence of too pronounced work of the autonomic system. As a rule, she has such reactions to external stimuli and non-standard situations. As an example, we can name ordinary fear, anxiety, lack of oxygen in a person’s blood.
2. Often, loss of consciousness for this reason occurs due to problems in the field of cardiology. And this happens due to the fact that cardiac blood output decreases. Very often such cases end in myocardium. Fainting can occur as a result of an abnormal rhythm of the heart. The problem can also be caused by frequent nerve impulses that accompany the atrium and ventricles. After such troubles, a person develops various kinds of pathologies. Interruptions during contractions are especially acute; blood does not flow to this organ in the required quantity in a timely manner. And all this significantly affects the functioning of the brain.

By the way, the doctor may notice some consequences after improper functioning of the patient’s blood inflow and outflow on the cardiogram. It clearly shows irregular nerve processes in the ventricle area. However, they almost never cause loss of consciousness. A person may not notice this problem and live in his usual mode.

1. Very often, people who suffer from low blood pressure for a long time suffer from loss of consciousness. People who have problems using antihypertensive drugs are also at risk. Older people are no exception to this. As a rule, this reason occurs due to a sudden change in body position by a person. For example, he can suddenly stand up, that is, change his position while sitting or lying down. During inactivity of the limbs, a delay in the functioning of blood vessels occurs. With such fast movement, they do not have time to return to the desired shape. All this causes a decrease in blood pressure and blood flow to the brain.
2. Loss of consciousness also occurs due to significant changes in the area of ​​large vessels. After all, it is at their expense that the brain is nourished. This trouble causes a disease called. As a result, the walls and gaps in them are fastened in the vessels.
3. Blood clots also often cause frequent loss of consciousness. They can completely or partially block the passage through the vessels. Blood clots are commonly associated with many surgical procedures. Often this problem occurs after surgery to replace natural heart valves. Interestingly, blood clots can occur at any age and every person is susceptible to their occurrence. Therefore, people who are at risk of developing such a blockage are often prescribed special medications that are taken on an ongoing basis. The second case of the appearance of blood clots in the vessels is characterized by abnormal functioning of the heart rhythm. In this case, the doctor also prescribes certain medications to take.
4. Loss of consciousness is a consequence. That, in turn, usually occurs due to a severe allergic reaction to any drug of medicinal origin. Infectious shock, which occurs after severe illness, can also cause loss of consciousness. For this reason, this condition usually causes dilation in the area of ​​the blood vessels. That is, the outflow of blood in the heart area increases significantly. This reaction is caused by vasodilating components in the drugs. At the same time, permeability of the blood capillaries occurs. They begin to function with increasing force. All of the above reasons again disrupt blood flow to the brain.

If a person detects these symptoms, he should immediately seek qualified help from a specialist. He will have to prescribe a series of tests and conduct an examination. Only after receiving all the results will it be possible to talk about an accurate diagnosis. Thus, the patient will have to undergo the following procedures:

• – visiting a specialist in the field of neurology to determine the presence of vascular disease.;
• – visiting a general practitioner to determine the presence of hypotension, that is, a disease that causes low blood pressure. He will also carry out a number of procedures to determine the patient’s tendency to;
• – an ECHO procedure, that is, an ultrasound of the heart, will be mandatory. All this will allow us to determine the presence of defects and insufficiency in the cardiac system;
• – as an option, the patient will be offered Doppler ultrasound. With its help, vessels are examined and the presence of pathologies in them.

Loss of consciousness due to lack of oxygen in the blood occurs with the following diseases and conditions:

1. Loss of consciousness for this reason may occur due to a lack of pure oxygen in the air that a person inhales. Therefore, in stuffy rooms there is often a risk of dizziness and fainting.
2. Many diseases in the lung area, such as bronchial diseases, can cause loss of consciousness. This problem is especially acute for people who suffer from such an illness in a chronic form. Frequent urges can cause disruption of the lung mechanism. Thus, there is a significant lack of oxygen during inhalation. During this time, insufficient cardiac output may also occur.
3. is also one of the reasons for frequent loss of consciousness. This is explained by the low hemoglobin content in the blood, but it should not fall below 70 g/l. But fainting can also occur with high levels of this substance in the human body. But, as a rule, this occurs only in stuffy rooms.
4. Loss of consciousness often becomes a sign of poisoning of the body with toxic oxygen oxide. This gas cannot be seen, smelled or tasted. Oxygen oxide can enter the body during heating procedures. For example, during the heating of the stove or due to the lack of hoods when using gas. This gas also comes from the car's exhaust pipe. Therefore, it is highly recommended to avoid situations of being in a car without ventilating its cabin. This gas easily enters the human lungs. There it immediately combines with hemoglobin. As a result, the passage of fresh oxygen into the blood begins to close. Thus, oxygen starvation occurs in the body. Changes in the functioning of the heart are possible.

To solve the problem of loss of consciousness for this reason, it is necessary to undergo a number of mandatory procedures and tests. Therefore, it is very important:

• - do a general blood test. With its help, you can see the exact number of all cells in a person’s blood, such as hemoglobin and red blood cells. Using the same analysis, it is determined whether the patient has asthma;
• – A mandatory procedure is radiography of the lung area. Here the presence of bronzitis and other diseases, as well as oncological changes, is revealed.;
• - you need to undergo spirography. With its help, the correctness of a person’s breathing and the strength of his exhalations are determined;
• – A visit to a specialist in the field of allergic reactions is often required. After all, this condition is often caused by many allergens in the external environment.

Syncope when the metabolism (nutrition) of the brain is disrupted occurs mainly with a disease such as.

1. People who suffer from diabetes can often make mistakes with the correct dosage of insulin introduced into the body. As a result, the blood sugar level significantly decreases, which leads to disruption of brain nutrition. Also for this reason, there is an incorrect flow of nerve impulses.
2. Loss of consciousness is observed not only due to a large amount of insulin in the body, but also due to its deficiency. Thus, the blood is saturated with a huge mass of glucose, which harms many organs that are associated with these processes. There is a change in metabolism. A person who suffers precisely for such reasons may smell unpleasantly of acetone vapor.

The cause of loss of consciousness can be lactic acid coma. In this case, diseases associated with. The patient's blood begins to become saturated with large amounts of lactic acid. In this case, the smell of acetone is not noticeable.

It is necessary to diagnose the presence of diabetes mellitus in a patient in any case. This happens by donating blood to a laboratory. This test must be taken on an empty stomach. A blood test can tell a lot about a person’s disease. For example, if the analysis reveals an increased level of glucose in capillary blood, then insulin does not have a strong effect on suppressing its production. To clarify the diagnosis, another analysis will be required. First of all, blood is donated on an empty stomach, then the patient is asked to drink a certain dose of glucose solution and the procedure is carried out again. If glucose exceeds the norm, then the person has diabetes.

The presence of glucose can be determined by a urine test. A healthy person cannot have this substance in their sword. To fully determine the diagnosis of diabetes, doctors use hemoglobin measurements after several weeks of certain procedures.

Very often, doctors prescribe an ultrasound scan for their patients. This study will help identify pathologies in the pancreas and see the reasons that caused this disease. This is because the pancreas is responsible for the production of insulin.

Impaired transmission of impulses along brain axons or the occurrence of pathological discharges in brain neurons occurs in the following conditions:

1. This reason very often causes loss of consciousness in a person. He often has seizures that recur with a certain frequency. This occurs due to the discharge of neurons in the brain area. It is fairly easy to determine if a person is having a seizure. At this time, he experiences frequent muscle twitching, they are in a tense state.
2. Loss of consciousness is a typical consequence of traumatic brain injuries and severe head impacts. At the same time, concussions, bruises, and tumors occur in the brain and nearby parts. After such injuries, displacement of areas of the brain hemispheres is observed. Some compression occurs and intracranial pressure increases. These processes make it difficult for the brain to function normally. If the blow was minor, the loss of consciousness will pass in a few minutes and will not bring significant changes in the body. With severe injuries, swelling and rupture of various vessels cannot be ruled out. If the case is critical, the person may fall into a coma.
3. of any kind, for example, ischemic or hemorrhagic, is one of the causes of frequent loss of consciousness. Both types have a number of differences. Thus, it causes improper blood supply to the cerebral cortex, resulting in blockages. Often people who take large doses of low-quality alcohol or tinctures with a high alcohol content come to this state. The second type of stroke occurs due to ruptures of blood vessels in the cerebral cortex. Thus, hemorrhage occurs, which often ends in the death of the patient.

The only thing that both types of strokes have in common is the cause of their occurrence. These diseases are the result of constant surges in blood pressure, when it rises sharply and falls at the same speed. Therefore, it is very important to promptly check for problems in this area.

First aid for loss of consciousness

Every person should have an understanding of providing first aid if a case of loss of consciousness occurs before his eyes. Here are some tips to help save another person's life.

Often a person loses consciousness while in a stuffy room. In this case, a sufficient amount of fresh air ceases to enter the body. This can also happen due to frequent worries and worries. If a person loses consciousness for these reasons, the following measures must be taken:

• – release the person’s throat, untie the tie, unfasten the buttons on the collar, remove the scarf;
• - provide air access to the room where the patient is located. You can also take it outside;
• – in order to bring a person to his senses, you need to bring a cotton wool soaked in ammonia to his respiratory tract;
• – if a person cannot come to his senses, you will need to provide him with a safe body position. It is better to turn it over on one side, making sure that the tongue does not sink in. This may cause suffocation. This sign is best checked in the first second by opening the patient’s jaws with your fingers or other objects. If necessary, the tongue should be fixed to one of the cheeks of the oral cavity. The main thing is that the airways are completely open.
• – it is very important to determine the presence of a pulse in a fainting person and the correctness of his breathing;
• – if the patient has no pulse or breathing, it is necessary to try to give him a cardiac massage or artificial respiration. It is best for this procedure to be performed by a skilled person;
• - You must call an ambulance. When calling, it is necessary to accurately describe all the patient’s symptoms.

There are times when a person does not witness another lose consciousness. In this case, the following measures are required:

• - try to find witnesses who saw the person faint. Perhaps someone knows the cause of this incident. Don't be shy about checking the victim's pockets. It may be possible to find special drugs that will help him come to his senses. People who suffer from chronic diseases often carry medications with them;
• – it is necessary to try to accurately determine the presence of possible injuries in a person who has fainted. In case of bleeding, you should try to stop it before the ambulance arrives;
• – it is important to determine the presence of a pulse and breathing in a person. To feel the pulse, you need to place two fingers on the victim’s thyroid cartilage. Next, your fingers should be lowered a little lower. The pulse should be clearly palpable in this area.
• – there are situations when a person has no pulse and is not breathing, but he remains warm. Then you need to try to check the reaction of the pupils to light. Often a person who is almost clinically dead responds well to the manifestation of light rays. This can be checked using this method: the eyes of the injured person, closed for eyelids, should be opened. If he is still alive, his pupils will instantly begin to constrict. But it also happens that the patient lies with his eyes open. In this case, they should be covered with your palm or a dark cloth for a few seconds, after which the previous experiment is carried out. If trouble occurs late in the evening or at night, you can use a mobile phone or a flashlight as light. There is another way to test the reaction of a person's eye. To do this, you will need a handkerchief or other soft cloth. You need to touch your eyelids with it. A living person in a forehead state will immediately begin to blink. This is a natural reaction to an external stimulus.

Often the ambulance arrives after a long period of time after being called. But every minute is important if a person is in a faint state. Therefore, it is worth trying to help the victim yourself. Alternatively, mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration or any type of cardiac massage can resume life processes. But there is no need to rush with these methods. Very often they cause great harm to a person without providing even an ounce of benefit to his health. But they also save a person’s life. While the ambulance is on the way. The main thing is not to overdo it, especially when performing a cardiac massage, as this can lead to complex fractures.

Methods of performing artificial respiration and indirect cardiac massage.

The procedure should begin by placing the patient in a comfortable position and freeing the oral cavity from excessive salivation or vomit. Next, you should throw the person's head back so that the front jaw is slightly extended. If the jaw has been severely clenched, it is necessary to try to open it with improvised objects without causing serious injury to the patient. Only after this the procedure of introducing air into the mouth is carried out. It is also worth trying to use the mouth-to-nose method of introducing air. It is best to perform artificial respiration through a handkerchief. The patient needs to take two deep breaths, while holding their nose or mouth tightly. After inhaling, you need to press with straight hands on the middle of the person’s sternum. Ten clicks will be enough. The procedure is then repeated according to the same plan. It is best to perform such artificial respiration and chest compressions on two people at the same time. It is very difficult to cope with this alone. One person inhales and the other presses on the chest. One or two breaths should be combined with three to five presses.

This procedure will take a long time. It will be possible to stop only after the ambulance arrives.

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