Vagal discomfort: what is it?

Due to a transient drop in the arterial pressure and heart rate by hyperstimulation of the vagus nerve, vagal discomfort, or vagal syncope, leads to a loss of consciousness of a few seconds generally without gravity. It results from an imbalance between the two components of the autonomic nervous system resulting in a decrease in debit blood and, as a result, a transient decrease in oxygenation of the brain.

Over stimulated parasympathetic nervous system leads to vagal discomfort

Parasympathetic nervous system is a component of the autonomic nervous system which manages automatisms (innervation of organs, heartfrom blood vessels, glands digestive and sweat). Composed of cranial nerves including the vagus nerve, its role is to inhibit the body’s physiological processes in response to information from the environment.

In general, it preserves, restores and intervenes by reducing the arterial pressure by vasodilatation and the cardiac frequencyas well as stimulating digestion. Antagonist of the orthosympathetic system which prepares the body for conditions of stress or emergency, it controls physiological processes in ordinary situations. If over-stimulated, the balance between the two systems is upset, drops in blood pressure and heart rate will be too great, causing the vagal discomfort.

Causes and Symptoms of Vagal Discomfort

A emotion too strong, atmosphere confined, sharp pain or the mere sight of blood or a needle can cause vagal discomfort. The person experiences muscle weakness, excessive sweatinga loss of consciousness sometimes preceded by visual disturbances, dizziness and tremors.

Harmless, the vagal discomfort does not require any treatment, except in the event of recurrences. Just lie down for a while, raising your legs to promote the return of blood to the heart. Generally, it does not last more than a few minutes, the person comes back to himself spontaneously without sequels unless the fall caused trauma.