Syncope (redirected from convulsive syncope)

syncope

Effect of temporary impairment of blood circulation to a part of the body. It is often used as a synonym for fainting, which is loss of consciousness due to inadequate blood flow to the brain. Paleness, nausea, sweating, and then pupil dilation, yawning, deep rapid breathing, and rapid heartbeat usually precede it. It lasts from under a minute to several minutes and may be followed by headache, confusion, and a weak feeling. The cause may be physical (e.g., heart failure, low blood sugar) or emotional (e.g., fear, anxiety). Abnormal vagus or autonomic nerve response can cause fainting (without preceding symptoms) triggered by ordinary activities such as urination, swallowing, coughing, or standing up or by pressure on the pulse point in the neck. Local syncope is coldness and numbness in a small area, especially the fingers, from diminished blood flow.

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syncope [′siŋ·kə·pē]

(medicine)

Swooning or fainting; temporary suspension of consciousness.

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Syncope 

(fainting), an attack of weakness, dizziness, and darkening before the eyes. Caused by temporary cerebral anemia, syncope is followed by loss of consciousness, which may not be complete.

The causes of syncope are reflexive lowering of blood vessel tone during cardiovascular disease, loss of blood, or such external influences as pain, fear, anxiety, abrupt change from horizontal to vertical position, and insufficient fresh air. During an attack the patient is pale, his body is cold to the touch, and his breathing is shallow and infrequent.

Syncope lasts several seconds or minutes and usually passes spontaneously. If it persists, the patient should be placed on his back with his feet elevated, his collar and belt should be loosened to ensure circulation of fresh air, and his face should be sprinkled with cold water and his feet warmed with hot-water bottles; these measures will restore consciousness more quickly. If possible, the patient should be given strong, hot, sweetened tea, be propped up, and be helped to sit up. He should be allowed to stand only when he is in a satisfactory state. Syncope may be a symptom of serious disease; if it occurs, a medical examination is desirable.

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Syncope 

in linguistics, the loss of a sound or group of sounds in a word, especially between stops, for example, Latin calidus> caldus.