The medications that can cause vasovagal syncope are medications that can cause orthostatic hypotension, beta blockers, vasodilators, diuretics and antihypertensives.
Vasovagal syncope is the most common form of syncope, which is the medical name for fainting.
Vasovagal is the term that refers to the specific mechanism of the fainting, in which the nervous system's regulation of your heart rate and blood pressure malfunction.
Drinking water can help with vasovagal syncope and can reduce the severity of vasovagal syncope.
Remaining adequate hydration helps you maintain your blood pressure and blood volume, which is important to prevent fainting which occurs with vasovagal syncope.
Drinking water also increases tolerance to orthostatic stress, "standing up", which is a common trigger and cause of vasovagal syncope.
The cause of vasovagal syncope is a drop in your blood pressure and heart rate, which occurs when your vagus nerve, that controls certain bodily functions, becomes overstimulated.
Triggers of vasovagal syncope are heat exposure, standing for long periods of time, intense fear or intense pain, dehydration and seeing needles or blood.
Vasovagal syncope occurs when your heart rate slows down and your blood vessels wide, which leads to a drop in your blood pressure and also reduced blood flow to your brain.
To test for vasovagal syncope your doctor will review your medical history, perform a physical exam and do some specific tests like the tilt table test.
The tilt table test helps evaluate your body's response to changes in position and monitors your heart rate and blood pressure.
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms, which include the circumstances that surround your fainting episodes, and also any warning signs that you've experienced and your overall health.
For the tilt table test, you will be secured to a table which can be tilted from a horizontal, "lying down" position to a nearly upright position.
Your heart rate and your blood pressure will be monitored continuously throughout the tilt table test.
The doctor will also observe how your body responds to the changes in position, and look for a drop in blood pressure or heart rate which can indicate vasovagal syncope.
And in some cases, medication may be given to you to try and trigger the fainting response during the tilt table test.
Other tests that are done are an electrocardiogram test, EKG test to rule out other heart conditions that may be causing the fainting.
Holter monitor or event recorder tests will also usually be done by having you wear the device for a period of time to monitor your heart's rhythm during normal daily activities which include when you experience any symptoms.
And the ultrasound test which which is called an echocardiogram test will create images of your heart and allow doctors to assess your heart's structure and function.
Gatorade is good for vasovagal syncope and even other electrolyte based drinks including Pedialyte and Propel are good for vasovagal syncope as they increase your fluid intake and electrolyte levels.
Adequate electrolyte levels and proper hydration is crucial for maintaining your blood pressure and for preventing fainting, especially when it's triggered by prolonged standing or dehydration.
Vasovagal syncope is often triggered by dehydration and Gatorade, which is a fluid, can rehydrate your body and replenish your body's needed water levels.
The electrolytes like potassium and sodium in Gatorade also are crucial for maintaining fluid balance and blood pressure.
Gatorade can help you improve your blood pressure regulation, especially during postural changes, such as standing up, which can also be a trigger for vasovagal syncope.
Lying down does help vasovagal syncope, especially when you lay down with your legs elevated.
Laying down with your legs elevated can help to alleviate symptoms of vasovagal syncope and may even prevent fainting, because laying down helps restore your blood flow to your brain, which is reduced temporarily during an episode of vasovagal syncope.
Vasovagal syncope occurs when your heart rate slows down and your blood vessels wide, which leads to a drop in your blood pressure and also reduced blood flow to your brain.
Vasovagal syncope is hereditary as some people can inherit vasovagal syncope if they have a family history of vasovagal syncope.
The inheritance pattern of vasovagal syncope is often polygenic, which means that multiple genes can contribute to the predisposition to vasovagal syncope.
And some specific genes which have been linked to vasovagal syncope include KCNJ2, HCN1, KCNE1 and SCN5A.
Vasovagal syncope is usually nothing to worry about unless it occurs too often or occurs in situations such as driving or operating machinery or when doing other things that can be risky when you experience fainting as a result of the vasovagal syncope.
Vasovagal syncope itself is not dangerous itself but it can be concerning in situations if it leads to falls or injuries or occurs when driving.
Most people with infrequent episodes of vasovagal syncope can manage the vasovagal syncope with self care and some lifestyle adjustments.
If you experience the vasovagal syncope too frequently, you should talk to your doctor about it to rule out any possible underlying medical conditions.
And if you have any severe symptoms with the vasovagal syncope such as chest pain, shortness of breath or irregular heartbeat before or after fainting you should seek immediate medical attention.
And if you have any injuries from from falls when you faint you should seek medical attention.
If you faint from the vasovagal syncope such as when driving or operating machinery or doing other dangerous tasks, it could result in serious harm or even death.
If you have any new or worsening symptoms with vasovagal syncope you should let your doctor know.
If you only faint occasionally and you can identify the triggers for the fainting, such as standing for long periods or seeing blood, you can also often manage it with self care, like laying down with your legs elevated and keeping hydrated.
And if you faint and don't have any injuries and don't have any other symptoms that can be concerning, it's often not a sign of a serious underlying condition.