Talk:Vasovagal syncope

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[edit] Expansion of page + Link to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

If anyone wants to assist, I think this page could use some upkeep and expansion. As it stands right now this page is somewhat messy and missing some highly relevant information.
Here is a link to a highly informative online article on Orthostatic intolerance, in particular Neurally Mediated Hypotension (NMH, aka neurocardiogenic syncope), the condition most associated with vasovagal syncope.
This article needs more clarification of its connection to conditions such as NMH and to orthostatic intolerance in general.
Also, the treatment section should be updated, such as to mention the importance of increased salt and water consumption in fending off syncopal episodes.
Another topic worth mentioning, is the link between NMH (which can manifest as vasovagal syncope) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). This link is well documented in several peer reviewed journal articles (citations can be found here). It is also mentioned in an informative emedicine.com article on orthostatic intolerance, which will be valuable for updating this article (along with the wikipedia article on Orthostatic Intolerance). Here are a few other links discussing the connection between NMH (or vasovagal syncope) and CFS: [1] [2].
So, I propose that changes to this page and the Orthostatic Intolerance page should be made and be coordinated. Furthermore, these pages should be expanded and organized to give a clear definition of the relation of vaso-vagal syncope to conditions of orthostatic intolerance, to include the name(s) of the conditions which are associated with vaso-vagal syncope, and to include more information on treatment and the link to CFS.
One other question is whether these conditions should still be subsumed under the article vaso-vagal syncope, considering that vaso-vagal syncope is generally caused by the condition neurally mediated hypotension, yet NMH does not always result in syncope.
-- 19:59, 9 November 2006 (UTC)


I'm removing the following sentence: "It is worth noting that on rare occasions, a fainter may die if forced to remain upright." Does anyone have a citation or study for this outcome? — Knowledge Seeker দ 06:03, 19 Apr 2005 (UTC)

As a sufferer i was given that exact advice from my doctor, if i am not allowed to sit or fall during a fit the blood loss to the brain can be fatal. --Seth Turner 10:44, 3 February 2006 (UTC)
I am also chronic sufferer (I "black out" from an episode 5-10 times a week). While being diagnosed, my cardiologist instructed me to lay down in order for my body to restore blood-flow, but when I black out these days (My condition showed itself when I was 5, I am now 19), if it is not practical to lay down, I don't. I can remain upright for a black-out via learned a learned behavior ("rocking" in a circular motion while standing). I haven't noticed anything negative about this, although I am not a medical doctor. I can't rule out the mentioned "rare occasions" though.--SirGrok 07:52, 12 April 2007 (UTC)
  • Wow, I can't believe that I haven't looked at this talk page before now, or I would have answered this a long time ago. I have vasovagal syncope and I was told that by my former doctor (though I wasn't the one who originally put that in the article). The idea is, if there's low blood pressure and what little blood volume there is is pooling in the legs, then that means there won't be enough blood in the brain, and the brain will become starved for oxygen and other nutrients. Jacqui ★ 04:08, 10 November 2005 (UTC)

There does not need to be a study of death by inappropriate treatment documented many thousands of years ago and regrettably in more than one coroners report.

Actualy its more like seeing static than blurry vision. Like the snow screen you get when your telivision isnt tuned in. Baiscaly for me its total blindness during the syncope.--Seth Turner 10:44, 3 February 2006 (UTC)

There does need to be a citation for a comment like that. It doesn't have to be a randomized clinical trial. It could be a reference from a medical textbook. I personally think there is far more danger from being allowed to fall down and hit your head on the pavement. Yes, your blood pressure drops during vasovagal syncope, and yes, you should gently lie the patient down to a supine position. But death? From holding a vasovagal syncope upright? Sounds like mythology to me, but I'm willing to be proven wrong. MoodyGroove 19:29, 25 January 2007 (UTC)MoodyGroove
You're looking for Suspension trauma -- Falling down increases blood flow to the brain. If the person remains upright -- usually because they are trapped in a harness -- they may not be able to restore blood flow to the brain, and they could die. Moving your legs causes a pumping action that prevents blood from pooling in the legs. --Mdwyer 16:54, 10 April 2007 (UTC)

I am 53 years old and reasonably fit non smoker etc. I was recently diagnosed with vasovagal syncope brought on by dehydration amongst other things. During Tilt Table Testing my heart stopped for 21 seconds before being revived by medical means. I now have a pacemaker fitted to guarantee a minimal pulse rate of 50 bpm. It operates mostly around 3-4 am when statistically more people die in their sleep (circadien rythm ?). So I now beleive VVS can be a killer. Ian Roberts

[edit] Ginger Ale?

How would ginger ale help? I haven't done any research outside of reading that line, but as far as I know, modern day ginger ale is no different from any other soda in terms of ingredients.

That entire line seems somewhat spurious, regardless, as the end of the sentence directly before it clearly mentions increasing fluid and salt intake. Plus there's a comma splice! Yuck. I'll clean it up a bit. - Zowch 09:02, 28 May 2006 (UTC)


When I was on active treatment, I was ordered to drink .5 gallons of Gatorade (or any other electrolyte heavy fluid a day). This was for the sodium and the electrolytes. I was also taking 1gm of sodium by tablet a day (in addition to eating a salt heavy diet) and Flourinef (I do not remember the dosage... I was probably 100 lbs at the time of the treatment). I have never heard about ginger ale being a home-remedy. --SirGrok 19:26, 30 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Contradiction??

"Vasovagal syncope (also vasodepressor syncope ...[truncated]... It is important to realize that vasovagal syncope and vasodepressor syncope are NOT the same." (Quoted from the version on 8/10/2006.)

This is a contradiction. Either vasovagal syncope is also known as vasodepressor syncope or they are not the same. Someone with medical expertise, please clairfy. Jxyama 17:37, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

Yeah, that looks like a mess. I am not a doctor; I have the condition. None of my doctors have used the term vasodepressor syncope on me, though. Nevertheless, a quick look at the web in Google shows a few places where the terms appear to be used interchangably: This one includes two more names for the condition? This one lists a cause I've never heard of?

LIS, I'm not a doctor, and frankly I know this diagnosis is somewhat controversial. It was only "discovered" five to ten years back and I think they are still working out what is and isn't part of this diagnosis. Anyway, I'm going to add the expert tag and do nothing else for now. Jacqui★ 13:44, 19 August 2006 (UTC)

Just a touch of input. I have Vasodepressor Syncope, as was directly diagnosed, and a few things seem to be quite different between that and the vasovagal condition described above. In my case (I was told it is a typical case)The heartrate skyrockets(upwards of 200 bpm at rest) and bloodpressure drops(somewhere into the low 20's). This results in a pooling of blood in the feet, and a lack of blood in the brain. As far as I understand, VDS is actually heart-initiated, where VVS is initiated by a lack of blood in the core of the body. Same results, different reasons. Understand that this is simply an explanation from one doctor to a patient, and conformation would be reccomended. -Jason


Note: the IP address that added the disputed section has many vandalization messages on its talk page. Nevertheless, IPs can be shared by many people and so we should still look into this carefully. Jacqui★ 13:49, 19 August 2006 (UTC)

Vasovagal syncope, vasodepressor syncope, neurocardiogenic syncope, and situational syncope all refer to the same form of syncope.(http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=7713) I believe neurally-mediate syncope is also synonymous.


—Preceding unsigned comment added by 222.124.68.252 (talk) 05:32, 2 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Prognosis

I removed from the article the sentance, "It may also be associated with certain psychiactric disorders." There's no citation for this. Is this true? And if it is, what psychiatric disorders are associated? --Brokenchairs (talk) 14:56, 19 January 2008 (UTC)

Last time i was told by ER techs, it can be caused by Anxiety 172.189.6.182 (talk) 07:29, 29 January 2008 (UTC)

I was just diagnosed with vvs today, for me these episodes occur only when I smoke pot. I do not think that the cause of these episodes are due directly from this drug but during the time, my consiousness is altered as anyone who smokes should know, and I become super sensitive to things. The first two times it happened i was in the shower and it was really steamy in the room and i felt like i was suffocating..the other time i was watching pulp fiction and got really anxious due to the scenes in the movie. My fainting episodes usuallys start with me feeling dizzy and overwhelmed becuase I feel like i can't breathe. Then things become blurry and I "fade" out and then I pass out. My doc told me to just make sure I lie down when I feel the oncoming of any episode and to increase blood circ. to my brain. Also, I am a stylist so I am on my feet all day, and then I exercise 5 days a week after work...but although I consider myself pretty healthy, I know that I do not drink enough water and I do smoke cigarettes which causes dehydration, and with the addition of pot... I think that it is the ultimate dehydration and THAT is why I have my episodes. Does anyone know anything about marijauna users and vvs?BAM721 (talk) 16:45, 11 March 2008 (UTC)BAM721

[edit] Being complicated

Instead of saying 'sayone faints', would 'someone Vasovagal syncopes' make sense just to be complicated to people? 86.135.42.213 (talk) 14:48, 20 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Triggers

I have always been a sufferer of vasovagal syncope, triggered by medical procedures. Most often, it is receiving injections.. I'll be fine during the injection, but within 5 minutes I lose blood pressure and start feeling very queasy, to the point of fainting. Sometimes, it takes merely thinking about medical procedures to trigger the effect. Once, I was at a friend's apartment and he was flipping through TV channels, and came across a liposuction procedure on Discovery.. Very harsh and painful looking procedure, it makes me feel uncomfortable even thinking about it as I type this.. But I had to ask him to change the channel because I felt like I was going to faint.

..My point is, this is my personal experience based anecdotal citation for adding the "viewing/experiencing medical procedures" to the Triggers section. Weasel5i2 (talk) 08:53, 5 May 2008 (UTC)