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Syncope, or fainting, is caused by a lack of blood flow to the brain due to various reasons such as hypotension, irregular heartbeat, sudden emotional response, dehydration, and quick movements. It can be prevented by staying hydrated, stretching, and being careful when standing up suddenly.
Syncope is more commonly known as fainting, and the causes of syncope usually involve a lack of blood flow to the brain. This can happen for a variety of reasons that ultimately result in oxygen deprivation to the brain, usually temporary. There may be a problem in the function of the heart, blood vessels, or any of these caused by a sudden emotional response to one’s surroundings or an environmental stimulus.
One of the most common root causes of syncope is hypotension. This occurs when the heart pumps less than the required amount of blood through the body, resulting in less oxygen being delivered to the brain than normal. An irregular heartbeat, heart palpitations, or other heart conditions can add to this risk. When this oxygen deprivation occurs, it can be severe enough to cause fainting and unconsciousness.
Hypotension, or low blood pressure, is often caused by sudden changes in the rhythm of an individual’s heart. This can occur when there is a major emotional reaction to something in the environment, a sudden physical threat or sudden involuntary effort or bodily functions. A severe and prolonged coughing fit can cause a drop in blood pressure and lead to an experience called situational syncope; this refers to causes of syncope that involve a sudden event.
Stress is one of the most common and best-known causes of syncope. Bad news, pressure at home or work, or a sudden life-changing event can disrupt the heart’s rhythm and lead to a fluctuation in blood flow to the brain. Feeling dizzy and lightheaded can be a precursor to a loss of consciousness in these situations. Syncope caused by these types of emotional stimuli is called vasovagal syncope.
Another common cause of syncope is dehydration. Not properly hydrating during exercise can make your heart work overtime and pump less blood through your body and to your brain. Keeping yourself hydrated can eliminate most problems, and if you don’t, fainting while exercising can be a sign of a more serious condition. Excessive sweating rids the body of vital water, which should be replaced when strenuous physical activity takes place.
Sometimes, just the quick movement can cause a change in the way blood is brought to the brain. Standing suddenly, especially when combined with other conditions such as dehydration or fatigue, can lead to syncope. When you’re stationary for an extended period of time, such as on a long flight, it’s important to get up and stretch occasionally, and to be careful when doing so. Most often, this is coupled with some sort of pressure on the carotid artery in the neck which restricts blood flow to the brain.
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