Sudden Collapse Could Also Be a Symptom of Vasovagal Syncope

Sudden Collapse, Vasovagal Syncope

Could Also Be a Symptom

If you have experienced sudden collapse after feeling a severe dizziness and cold sweat while using public transportation or standing for a long time in a crowded place, this may be vasovagal syncope.

Vasovagal syncope is a condition that mainly occurs in young women, and because there is no particular treatment, it is best to understand the symptoms and respond in advance.

Today, let’s look at the symptoms and causes of vasovagal syncope, and also examine ways to prevent and handle it.

Vasovagal syncope is caused by the parasympathetic nervous system, which plays a role in regulating the functions of various organs.

Our body maintains homeostasis through the interaction of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, and when one side is stimulated, the other side is also activated.

When our body is tense or exposed to stressful situations, the sympathetic nervous system becomes stimulated, and if the parasympathetic nervous system becomes excessively activated at that time, sudden collapse can occur.

When the parasympathetic nervous system is activated, the heart rate decreases, and as a result, the blood flow supplied to the brain is temporarily reduced, causing a sudden loss of consciousness and collapse.

Vasovagal syncope can occur in various situations, but fainting symptoms mainly appear when standing for a long time or standing for an extended period in a stuffy, enclosed space.

It can also be caused by being exposed to sunlight for a long time, holding in urine or bowel movements, or a sudden change in temperature.

If you suddenly experience dizziness and cold sweats in the situations above, along with lightheadedness, chest tightness, nausea, or shortness of breath, it is considered vasovagal syncope.

Following these warning signs, the face quickly turns pale, consciousness is lost, and the person suddenly collapses, but in many cases consciousness naturally returns within a few seconds.

After regaining consciousness, the warning signs do not appear, and because there is no particular treatment, it is necessary to recognize the symptoms in advance and respond accordingly.

First, if you have symptoms such as dizziness or lightheadedness, it is best to lie down immediately before fainting occurs and rest for about 10 minutes.

Also, to help prevent vasovagal syncope, you should avoid standing for long periods as much as possible and avoid narrow, enclosed spaces.

And if you need to urinate, it is better not to hold it in and go to the bathroom right away, because when the bladder muscles become stimulated, the parasympathetic nervous system is also activated, which can lead to symptoms of low blood pressure.

Also, in the morning, the body has the least amount of fluid and blood pressure is low, so you may faint due to low blood pressure. It is therefore good to eat breakfast and drink water frequently.

However, if you eat too much, digestion becomes more active and the parasympathetic nervous system is also activated, so it is best to always eat only a moderate amount.

If you think sudden collapse symptoms may occur, simply crossing your legs in an X shape while standing can help prevent fainting to some extent, so please keep that in mind.