Syncope Flashcards
What is syncope?
Temporarily losing consciousness bc disruption of blood flow to brain
What is a vasovagal episode?
Problem with Autonomic Nervous System regulating blood flow to the brain
What are the 7 steps of a Vasovagal episode?
- Stimulus: emotional event / painful sensation / change in temp
- Parasympathetic Nervous System stimulated
- PNS counteracts SNS (which vasoconstricts blood vessels to brain)
- Blood vessels to brain relax
- Cerebral Circulation BP drops
- Hypoperfusion of brain tissue
- Patient loses consciousness
What is the feeling patients feel before a syncope episode called?
Prodrome
What do patients feel in the Prodrome period before a syncope episode? (6 things)
- Hot / clammy
- Sweaty
- Heavy
- Dizzy
- Blurry vision / dark
- Headache
What may a collateral history from a person who witnessed a syncope event show? (3 things)
- Sudden loss of consciousness + fall to ground
- Unconscious on ground for few seconds to minute as blood returns to brain
- Twitching / shaking / convulsion (could confuse for seizure)
What is similar between syncope events and seizures? (3 things)
- Twitching / shaking / convulsion
- Groggy after
- Incontinence
How would you differentiate a syncope event from a seizure? (4 things)
Seizure = groggy after but called postictal period:
- Prolonged period of confusion
- Drowsinesss
- Irritability
- Disorientation
Is Prolonged upright position before the event associated with Syncope or Seizures?
Syncope
Is Epilepsy aura (smells, tastes or deja vu) before the event associated with Syncope or Seizures?
Seizures
Is Lightheaded before the event associated with Syncope or Seizures?
Syncope
Is Head turning or abnormal limb positions associated with Syncope or Seizures?
Seizures
Is Sweating before the event associated with Syncope or Seizures?
Syncope
Is Tonic clonic activity associated with Syncope or Seizures?
Seizures
Is Blurring or clouding of vision before the event associated with Syncope or Seizures?
Syncope