- What is vagal discomfort?
- What are the symptoms of vagal discomfort?
- What are the causes of vagal discomfort?
- How to react ?
- How is vagal discomfort diagnosed?
- What treatment for vagal discomfort?
What is vagal discomfort?
THE vagal discomfort holds its name vagus nerve, the nerve that runs through the body from the brain to the stomach. Too stimulated, the vagus nerve is then responsible for vagal discomfort. Vagal discomfort is a very common and benign discomfort. “In reality, it is more syncope than malaise. It is a transient, brief and sudden loss of consciousness due to a drop in tone, which leads to a fall. There is also a rapid return to normal consciousness. In the specific case of vagal discomfort, vasovagal syncope is triggered by a voltage drop“, develops Laure Geisler, general practitioner.
What is the difference between vagal discomfort and heart failure? Vagal discomforts are more frequent and benign and unlike cardiac discomforts. The latter represent only a small percentage of cases of malaise. They are usually caused by arrhythmia, cardiac tachycardia or heart disease. A heart attack can sometimes also announce a cardiac arrest. They are accompanied by pain squeezing the chest.
What are the symptoms of vagal discomfort?
THE vagal discomfort symptoms vary from person to person. “Before the onset of discomfort, the subject experiences prodromes: palpitations, visual blurring, tremors and dizziness notably”, notes the general practitioner. The person is pale.
Sometimes, the person who has vagal discomfort feels ringing in the ears, his sight is modified (impression of seeing “white”), he may feel sick and want to vomit.
At the moment of discomfort, the person feels great muscle weakness, a big heat stroke – she starts to sweat – and she faints. “Once the discomfort is over, some people, but not the majority, may feel nauseous, vomitings and headaches, explains Laure Geisler.
Can vagal discomfort occur without loss of consciousness? Yes, vagal discomfort can be controlled if one adopts the right reflexes, namely lying down quickly and raising the legs upwards. This helps prevent loss of consciousness and injury. The vagal discomfort itself is not serious, what is is the risk associated with the fall.
What are the causes of vagal discomfort?
There cause of vagal discomfort is neurological: It’s about a overactivity of the vagal system. The vagus nerve will then lower the heart rate and blood pressure. Can vagal discomfort have a psychological cause ? Yes, most often it occurs easily in times of stress, in an overheated room or following an emotional shock. For example, some people may feel unwell when having a blood test, this stresses them out.
Who is at risk and what are the risk factors? “Most often these are people who suffer from tension disorders, says the specialist. This can also concern people who do not follow their treatment well, hypotensives and diuretics, in particular”, she adds.
Strong emotions are risk factors, just like intense stress, great fatigue or excessive physical activity.
According to Laure Geisler, the context also plays an important role in the occurrence of vagal discomfort: “a warm, noisy atmosphere, confined as in a concert hall or a restaurant, are risky environments”.
Finally, discomfort is common during pregnancy and generally mild. If they are frequent, it is necessary to speak about it to the doctor. In addition, certain associated signs should alert: vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, headaches.
How to react ?
The prodromes mentioned above are signals that should alert. “A person who knows that he is subject to vagal discomfort, when he feels the prodromes, must warn the people accompanying her and that she has the reflex to sit or lie down because it is the fall that can be especially dangerous”, says the professional. The ideal position? Lie down and raise your legs to 30°.
Rest after vagal discomfort. After the discomfort, Laure Geisler recommends that those around them lie the person down and put them in lateral safety position. “You also have to watch her, of course. I repeat, vagal discomfort is benign. But if the person’s state of health seems worrying, if they remain unconscious for more than five minutes or if they are known to have a cardiac history in particular, I recommend calling the emergency services.”
How is vagal discomfort diagnosed?
The interview is a key element of the diagnosis. The data of the interrogation allow a diagnosis in at least 50% of the cases. It must be precise and carried out with the patient, the entourage, the attending physician, accompanying persons and witnesses, if necessary by telephone. Are taken into account:
- age
- antecedents
- symptoms (palpitations, visual and auditory disturbances, etc.)
- the circumstances of occurrence (standing, confined space, emotion, pain, stress, change of position, effort, meal, psychological state, etc.)
What treatment for vagal discomfort?
There is no medical treatment to prevent vagal discomfort. However, if the discomfort is repeated, it is important to consult to ensure that these syncopes are not the symptoms of a more serious pathology. “It can indeed be another type of discomfort, potentially more serious and linked to cardiovascular disease for example. The patient will be subjected to an electrocardiogram, we can also take a blood test”, says Laure Geisler.
The general practitioner also recommends seeing a doctor if the discomfort occurs without circumstance, context, risk factors, “if you are completely relaxed, calm, at home”, she illustrates.
Source : interview with Dr Laure Geisler, host of the TouTube channel Le cœur net where she offers popular medical videos.
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