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MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS (SYNCOPE)

Syncope is a sudden and transitory loss of consciousness, where the patient recovers spontaneously in seconds or a few minutes, recovering a normal conscious level.

There are diverse causes that may give rise to loss of consciousness, but no doubt the most frequent cause is BLACKOUT. It is due to an insufficient blood flow to the brain as a consequence of one or more of the following factors:

• fatigue, fright, tremor, emotion, psychic shock;
• lack of food, lack of liquids, heat exhaustion;
• trauma, pain, blood loss;
• lack of fresh air.

If a person becomes pale and starts to wobble, and has a regular weak and fast rhythm, fainting may be prevented sitting the patient with open legs and the head very low between the knees, or lying face up with the legs lifted (refer to Chapter 2.1, SHOCK). If you are sure that he can swallow properly, give him some water as this will help him recover.

Make sure it is not a heart problem, by asking if there have been any Anterior episodes of angina or infarction, and seeing if there is an irregular pulse rhythm or other accompanying symptoms. In this case, ask for MEDICAL ADVICE VIA RADIO .