Fainting (cont.)
Pregnancy
Syncope is also related to pregnancy. Likely
explanations include compression
of the inferior vena cava
(the large vein that returns blood to the heart) by
the enlarging uterus and by orthostatic hypotension.
What are the signs and symptoms of fainting (syncope)?
With fainting (syncope), the patient is unaware that they have passed out and
fallen to the
ground. It is only afterward that they understand what has happened.
There may be symptoms or signs before the syncopal episode, which may
include:
- The
patient may feel lightheaded, nauseated, sweaty, or weak. There may be a feeling
of dizziness or
vertigo (with the room spinning), vision may fade or blur, and
there may be muffled hearing and tingling sensations in the body.
- With pre-syncope or a near-faint, the same symptoms will occur, but the
patient doesn't quite lose consciousness.
During the episode, when the patient is unconscious, there may a few twitches
of the body which may be confused with seizure activity.
The patient may have some confusion after wakening but it should resolve
within a few seconds.
After a syncopal episode, the patient should return to
normal mental function, though there may be other signs and symptoms depending
upon the underlying cause of the faint. For example, if the patient is in the
midst of a heart attack, he or she may complain of chest pain or pressure.
Next: How is fainting (syncope) diagnosed? »
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