Syncope (fainting)

Syncope - fainting - is a common problem. Here's how to tell whether an episode of syncope represents a life-threatening conditions.

How syncope should be evaluated, whether it is caused by heart problems or not.

Now that the cause of syncope has been figured out, how is it treated?

A discussion of vasovagal syncope in kids

Patients with vasovagal syncope (simple fainting spells) or long QT syndrome often receive the mistaken diagnosis of seizure disorder, or epilepsy.

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, POTS, causes causes palpitations and dizziness when standing.

An abnormal drop in blood pressure while standing is called orthostatic hypotension.

Postprandial hypotension is a condition in which, after a big meal, the blood pressure drops when standing up.

Treating vasovagal (or cardioneurogenic) syncope is a process that requires education, and sometimes medication, exercise therapy, or pacemakers

Syncope, or transient loss of consciousness, while a common symptom, may be associated with serious medical problems.

Because there are so many potential causes, the evaluation of syncope can be tricky. Here is how it should be done.

Vasovagal syncope (also called cardioneurogenic syncope) is the a very common variety of temporary loss of consciousness