Vasovagal Syncope Treatment in Delhi, India

The condition causes a person to lose consciousness and faint. Before an episode, a person may experience symptoms such as:

• Pale skin
• Nausea or blurred vision
• Feeling light-headed
• Dizziness or drowsiness
• Feeling warm or cold and sweating

During the episode, a person can have the following:

• Abnormal movements
• Sudden jerks
• Dilated pupil
• Slow and weak pulse
• Urinary incontinence occasionally

Fainting can have many underlying health problems, including heart or brain conditions. Consult a doctor if any factors trigger fainting, especially if it hasn't happened before or are experiencing fainting episodes more frequently.

Vasovagal syncope happens when the nervous system reacts to a trigger. The nervous system regulates heart rate and blood pressure, and the trigger causes the system to malfunction. The condition is caused due to a sudden drop in blood pressure.

Low blood pressure and heart rate reduce the blood flow to the brain, making a person faint. It can be caused by triggers and medical conditions that affect the nervous system, heart, or blood flow in the body.

Some causes that trigger vasovagal syncope are:

• Standing for a long duration
• Extreme heat exposure
• Sight of blood
• Having one's blood drawn
• Fear of physical injury
• Sudden movements such as bending, lying down, or getting up
• Intense physical activity
• Severe pain
• In the elderly, micturition, especially at night
• Sudden bouts of cough
• Dehydration

Vasovagal syncope can be easily diagnosed with a physical examination and examining medical history. The doctor will note down the patient's heartbeat and blood pressure.

Other diagnosis methods for vasovagal syncope include:

• Electrocardiogram: This test records electrical signals the heart produces. The test can detect irregular or abnormal heart rhythms and other heart problems.
• Exercise stress test: Exercise stress test helps to diagnose how well a heart responds while doing an activity. The test involves walking on a treadmill or pedalling on a stationary bicycle, connected to an EKG to monitor heart activity.
• Echocardiogram: This scanning method creates ultrasound images of the heart and nearby blood vessels. The image helps the doctor to look for conditions that can cause fainting, including weak heart pumps.
• Blood test: Blood samples can be checked in a laboratory to look for conditions, such as anaemia, that can trigger fainting.
• Tilt table test: If no heart problems or other causes trigger the condition, the doctor may suggest undergoing a tilt table test. During this test, the patient is asked to lie flat on the table that tilts upward at different angles. During this test, the heart rhythms and blood pressure is monitored to see if the changes in posture affect them.
• Ambulatory monitor: This device monitors electrical activity in the heart. It records heart rate and rhythm.

In most cases of vasovagal syncope condition, no treatment is needed.

A person experiencing the episode can consult a doctor, identify the triggers, and discuss ways to avoid them.

If a person experiences an episode frequently that interrupts daily activities, the doctor may suggest the following treatments.

• Medications: Medications are given to treat low blood pressure and can be useful in preventing syncope. Other drugs, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, can also help.
• Surgery: In extreme cases & based on Holter recordings, surgery may be needed where an electrical pacemaker is inserted to regulate the heartbeat. 
• Therapy: Different therapies can be recommended to decrease the accumulation of blood in the legs. The treatment may include managing food, doing exercises or wearing compression stockings. A doctor may recommend increasing salt intake in food and oral fluid intake if a person doesn't have high blood pressure.

Vasovagal syncope episodes may not always be avoided. If a person experiences an episode, lying down and lifting the legs can help the blood flow towards the brain. If a person cannot lie down, putting their head between their knees might help.

Vasovagal syncope can be prevented by taking a few precautionary steps, such as:

• Eating a healthy diet at frequent intervals
• Increasing the intake of fluids
• Being cautious while standing up or changing a posture suddenly
• Being aware and alert of triggers that can cause an episode

Vasovagal syncope is not a serious health condition and may not need medical intervention. Consulting a doctor is important to see if any underlying condition is causing vasovagal syncope.

A person with vasovagal syncope can lead a normal life by identifying the triggers and being cautious about them.