Blackouts

Question 1

Vasovagal syncope presentation

Answer 1

Onset over seconds, lasts around 2 mins with rapid recovery
Pre-syncopal symptoms e.g. nausea, dizziness
Brief clonic may occur
Caused by reflex bradycardia which may be due to emotion/pain/too long standing

Question 2

Situation syncope causes

Answer 2

Coughing
Exercise induced (normally cardiac cause)
Micturition syncope

Question 3

Carotid sinus syncope pathology

Answer 3

Hypersensitive carotid baroreceptors cause reflex bradycardia on minimal stimulation e.g. head-turning/ shaving

Question 4

Stokes-Adams attack description

Answer 4

Transient arrythmias with no warning except palpitations

Recovery in seconds, patient flushes and pulse speeds up

Question 5

Other faint causes

Answer 5

Hypoglycaemia
Orthostatic hypotension
Anxiety
Drop attacks from leg weakness/ cataplexy/ narcolepsy/ hydrocephalus
Psychogenic causes

Question 6

Vertigo definition

Answer 6

Hallucination of movement, no loss of awareness

Question 7

Vertigo causes

Answer 7

Benign positional vertigo (due to debris in semicircular canals, Epley manoeuvre clears)
Acute labrynthitis (subsides in days)
Meniere’s disease (inc lymph pressure inner ear)
Ototoxicity
Acoustic neuroma
Traumatic damage
Herpes zoster