It is quite common and often not serious. Update with our general practitioner.
It is impressive because it can cause a loss of consciousness for a few seconds, but vagal discomfort is common and generally not serious. It results from a drop in blood pressure caused by excessive stimulation of the vagus nerve. Dr. Richard Handschuh, general practitioner, discusses the causes and gives us his advice.
Definition: what is vagal discomfort?
Vagal discomfort (or vagal shock) is a discomfort that is characterized by loss of consciousness, usually lasting a few seconds. It results from a sudden drop in blood pressure (tension), associated with a slowdown in heart rate, caused by an imbalance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Blood flow becomes too low to adequately irrigate the brain. Lack of oxygen leads to temporary loss of consciousness.
What are the causes of vagal discomfort?
- strong emotion,
- sharp pain,
- severe fatigue,
- significant physical effort,
- atmosphere too hot and confined
- taking medications (hypotensives, vasodilators, diuretics, hypnotics, etc.)
- upon waking up, when you move too quickly from a prolonged lying position to standing: blood pressure then drops suddenly, because the body has not had time to adapt. Although the feeling may seem similar, it is not vagal discomfort: we then speak of orthostatic hypotension.
What are the symptoms of vagal discomfort?
The person affected by vagal discomfort suddenly presents:
- muscle weakness,
- heavy sweating
- fainting and loss of consciousness
- then, headaches and digestive problems.
Loss of consciousness is generally preceded by:
- palpitations,
- visual disturbances (blurred vision, blurred vision, etc.)
- dizziness,
- tinnitus,
- tremors.
What to do in case of vagal discomfort?
As soon as warning signs appear, which are easily recognizable, it is recommended to:
- to lie down or sit to avoid falling,
- to elevate the legs, to promote blood return to the heart
- wait 5 to 10 minutes before getting up slowly
“In case of fainting, the person always comes back to consciousness spontaneously and quickly“, specifies Dr Handschuh. If the person remains unconscious for more than 5 minutes, and their pulse is weak, they must be positioned in the side safety position (PLS), then contact the emergency services (15 or 112), because the fall could have caused trauma While waiting for help, it is advisable to lay the person down in a quiet place and to reassure them to loosen their clothes to help them breathe better.
Treatment: how to treat vagal discomfort?
Most of the time benign and anecdotal, vagal discomfort does not require basic medical treatment. On the other hand, if it is repeated often or if it occurs outside of the contexts mentioned above, a medical consultation (attending physician) is necessary to eliminate any other cause of these symptoms. He may prescribe certain tests (blood test, electrocardiogram) to check for the absence of underlying problems.
How long does it take to recover from vagal discomfort?
This varies from one person to another. But generally, the discomfort lasts between a few seconds and 3 minutes, and it takes between 5 and 10 minutes before you can slowly get up.
As soon as the first symptoms appear, it is possible to avoid vagal discomfort by:
- sitting or lying down in a quiet place
- raising your legs if possible with a cushion or against a wall
- squeezing your hands together to force the blood to the top of your head
What not to do if you have vagal discomfort
- Have the person drink or give sugar, especially if the person is unconscious because of the risk of misdirection
- Give little slaps to wake the person
- Maintain the open mouth of the person, especially if they have seizures.
As vagal discomfort is a common and benign type of discomfort, it does not require treatment unless it recurs. The associated loss of consciousness remains short and is not systematic.
Thanks to Doctor Richard Handschuh, general practitioner.
