Sharing experiences, treatments, and management methods for fainting - Vasovagal syncope caused by fatigue

Fainting refers to losing consciousness due to any reason, accompanied by a state of confusion or dizziness.

I fainted due to fear of blood collection, blood donation, and blood tests.

The first time I fainted was during a blood type test at school.

I was standing in line with my friends...

Suddenly, I started to feel suffocated and everything in front of me went dark.

When my turn came, I started spinning around, sweating, and feeling nauseous.

I collapsed without realizing it, and when I woke up, I was in the nurse's office.

In the end, I couldn't get a blood type test, and the school told me to go to the hospital.

The neighborhood internist said that due to a fear of blood, she experienced temporary dizziness and apparently fainted.

We couldn't understand why there was a specific phobia about blood, and our parents were also frustrated.

I'm okay as long as I don't see it with my eyes, but the moment I see it, I become very nauseous at the sight of blood.

I still have some aversion to menstrual blood, but it has improved a lot.

Whenever I see blood, I keep feeling dizzy, nauseous, and I see blackness in front of me, so I have to cover my eyes or turn my head when drawing blood, and I can't donate blood either.

After giving birth and going to the bathroom, I fainted upon seeing the excessive bleeding.

As soon as I saw the blood, my vision suddenly went dark, and I felt an immediate urge to vomit, but I have no further memory of what happened afterward.

Fortunately, my husband, who was the guardian, was beside me, and the director came urgently. After a transfusion, I woke up in just an hour.

A few months ago, I collapsed due to a cut wound from a knife.

Sharing experiences, treatments, and management methods for fainting - Vasovagal syncope caused by fatigue

I accidentally cut my thumb with a kitchen knife... it started bleeding.

But I suddenly felt dizzy with a queasy stomach.

I quickly stopped the bleeding with gauze and called my daughter who was nearby.

I felt dizzy, so I immediately sat down, but I have no memory of the past five minutes.

I was glad that my family was by my side.

My husband, who was at home, told me that I was laid flat on my back because I lost consciousness.

It is said that the pale face appeared to return to normal as blood circulation was restored.

The reason I fainted several times is due to vasovagal syncope caused by fatigue.

Vasovagal syncope is the most common type of fainting, which occurs independently of brain or heart abnormalities. It refers to a temporary loss of consciousness caused by a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure following emotional stress, traumatic incidents, prolonged bed rest, or seeing blood due to injury, leading to reduced blood flow to the brain.

Vasovagal syncope usually does not cause any problems and does not require treatment.

Sometimes, tests are necessary to determine whether fainting is caused by heart or brain abnormalities.

If you faint more frequently than necessary, you must undergo a medical examination.

Preliminary symptoms experienced before fainting

1️⃣ Nausea and dizziness

2️⃣ Feeling a fear of falling and a feeling of chest tightness

3️⃣ Pale complexion and cold sweat on face and entire body

4️⃣ The needle is more swollen than usual, and there is discomfort around the sternum area, along with a feeling of nausea; if severe, vomiting may occur.

5️⃣ Feeling of narrowing vision (tunnel vision) and a sense that the front is darkening.

Vasovagal syncope and other causes

✅In case of standing for a long time

After being exposed to the heat

After feeling fear of physical injury

After straining excessively to have a bowel movement in the bathroom

Vasovagal syncope treatment

In most cases, vasovagal syncope does not require treatment, but if fainting occurs frequently enough to interfere with daily life, medication should be prescribed for treatment. I also went to a university hospital for tests, but since there were no abnormalities, I am only managing it without treatment.

✳️ Blood pressure medication - The blood pressure medication metoprolol blocks signals that cause fainting, thereby preventing fainting.

✳️ Antidepressants - Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft are said to be effective in preventing vasovagal syncope.

✳️ Blood vessel constrictors - Sometimes, medications for low blood pressure or asthma can help with prevention.

Consult with a hospital specialist for treatment, but be sure to get a prescription before taking any medication.

Sharing experiences and management methods for vasovagal syncope

When I visited the hospital due to fainting, I was told that my symptoms were related to vasovagal dizziness caused by excessive tension when I saw blood. They explained that this leads to dizziness and fainting.

When I was young, my worried parents took me to a university hospital because they were concerned about my fainting. They conducted an EEG, MRI, and autonomic nervous system tests, but all the results came back normal, and no medication was prescribed. They said it wasn't a serious illness but rather symptoms caused by excessive parasympathetic nervous activity due to stress, so there was no special treatment needed.

I fainted after seeing blood suddenly gush from my finger, and I was so surprised when I recovered that I went to the hospital. They told me there was no special treatment and advised me to avoid such situations as much as possible.

Those who experience dizziness (fainting) caused by the vagus nerve reflex... if it's your first time, you will probably be very worried.

Whenever I have a blood test, I still feel nauseous and my heart races.

Fainting caused by the vagus nerve reflex can be triggered by standing for a long time, stressful situations, fear, and similar conditions.
Due to vasovagal reflex, blood vessels dilate, causing blood pressure to drop, and temporarily, the blood flow to the brain decreases, leading to loss of consciousness.

Even if you do not lose consciousness, symptoms such as nausea and vision going dark, along with weakness in the legs, can occur, and many people experience only the pre-fainting stage.

In such cases, it is best to lie down quickly and elevate your legs to increase blood flow to the brain. The symptoms gradually improve over time.

The most important thing is that when these warning signs occur, you should never try to endure them.
Sit or lie down immediately in that spot to reduce the risk of secondary injuries caused by fainting.

If symptoms of fainting caused by the vagus nerve reflex occur too frequently, it is recommended to seek treatment at a cardiology clinic.
Avoid standing for a long time in crowded places during hot weather, and drink plenty of water.
It's best to eat regularly and take good care of your health, reduce alcohol and smoking, take iron supplements, and try not to stress out—that's the most effective approach!

If there are cases like mine where fainting occurs in certain situations, it is necessary to make efforts to avoid such situations.

I saw on TV that singer Hyuna appeared and confessed about her difficult experience with vasovagal syncope, and she said she has improved a lot.

Sometimes I suddenly worry, "What if I collapse again without even realizing it?"

However, I am consistently exercising and taking iron supplements while practicing mind control.

Since I understand the pain caused by fainting better than anyone else.. I wanted to share our experiences and management methods.

If there is anyone struggling with vasovagal syncope, I hope you can manage and overcome it together!

Neurology/Neurosurgery

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Sharing experiences, treatments, and management methods for fainting - Vasovagal syncope caused by fatigue