Causes Of Unconsciousness

The most severe form of unconsciousness is the coma, in which the person concerned cannot be awakened by speaking or shaking and does not react to painful stimuli. 

As consciousness  is called a temporary or permanent loss of consciousness, with different degrees of severity are differentiated. During the period of loss of consciousness, the affected person loses all awareness of himself and his surroundings.

One speaks of fainting, unconsciousness, syncope or a blackout in the event of a sudden and brief loss of consciousness that usually does not last longer than 20 seconds.

The most severe form of  unconsciousness  is the  coma, in which the affected person cannot be woken up by speaking or shaking and also does not react to painful stimuli. 

If the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, after a few seconds it comes to a faint and the complete loss of the perception of reality. In the case of syncope, the affected person regains consciousness after a few seconds. Because the lying position makes it easier for the organism to transport the blood to the brain. The cause in this case is a heart problem.

Fainting or syncope are very common. It is estimated that three percent of patients who seek help in the emergency room are affected. Since  the triggers can be harmless, but also life-threatening, we list below the most common causes that lead to unconsciousness. 

Causes of non-cardiac unconsciousness

Vasovagal syncope

The most common cause of noncardiac unconsciousness is vasovagal syncope. The vasovagal reflex is the involuntary response of the nervous system to a certain stimulus that causes the immediate widening of the blood vessels. At the same time, blood pressure drops and the blood is distributed in the lower limbs. Triggers can be stress or intense pain, fluid loss or extreme temperatures. 

Unconsciousness due to a change in posture

If we change the body position very quickly from a horizontal to a vertical position without giving the body enough time to activate certain compensation mechanisms, the result is a blood pressure that  is too low. As a result, as with vasovagal syncope, the blood is transported to the legs and the brain is not supplied with sufficient blood.

migraine

Intense headaches caused by migraines can lead to an aura phase. At the same time, many sufferers also experience a loss of consciousness. 

Loss of consciousness due to hypoglycemia

If the blood sugar levels drop this can also result in unconsciousness. This situation often occurs in diabetics who are treated  when they change their diet or medication and the sugar drops as a result.

Loss of consciousness from antihypertensive drugs

People with high blood pressure are usually treated with various antihypertensive drugs. The consequences of these drugs include increased urine production and dilation of the blood vessels. This can cause blood pressure to drop too much, which can lead to fainting.

Stroke

A stroke is also one of the non-cardiac causes of unconsciousness. A stroke or cerebrovascular accident can be ischemic (caused by blockage of the arteries in the brain) or hemorrhagic (caused by the bursting of a blood vessel in the brain). 

Cardiac causes of unconsciousness

Loss of consciousness due to arrhythmias

Arrhythmias are abnormal heart rhythms that  can result in the brain not receiving enough blood for a short or long period of time. This can lead to unconsciousness.

Aortic problems

The aorta is the main artery responsible for distributing blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Damage or disease to the aorta can affect blood flow. 

Since the brain is located above the heart,  enough pressure is required to supply blood to it. Aortic dissection or an aortic aneurysm often leads to loss of consciousness.

Cardiomyopathy causes unconsciousness

Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle that is associated with mechanical or electrical functional disorders. The left ventricle of the heart, which is responsible for delivering blood to the aorta for distribution, often expands. In this case, circulatory disorders can occur, which in turn can lead to loss of consciousness. 

Valvulopathy

The inner heart cavities are connected by the heart valves, which allow the blood to circulate in only one direction without it being able to return. In some cases, heart valve insufficiency can occur or the valves can block the passageway too much. When there is such a dysfunction, the brain cannot get enough blood.

What to do if you are unconscious?

As we have seen, there are very different reasons for unconsciousness, so caution is always required. It could be a very brief faint that is harmless, but it could also be an indication of serious heart disease. 

If you have any doubts, you should seek medical help immediately  and have all the necessary examinations carried out. Usually the diagnosis is made as soon as the patient is conscious again.

If the unconsciousness occurs suddenly and for no apparent reason, and  if the person does not regain consciousness on their own, you must take the patient to the emergency room immediately. It could be a heart attack or a stroke.