PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — During a syncopal episode, there is a sudden loss of consciousness with an inability to control muscular tone, but recovery is rapid and spontaneous.
Each year, more than 2 million Americans go to the emergency room to get treatment and to find out why it happened, but in the majority of cases, the cause is never discovered.
However, it can be a warning sign of other issues, as there is a wide variety of associated conditions. It usually happens due to reduced blood flow to the brain and, for most people, the body senses the lack of blood flow and perfusion is restored.
If you have a syncopal episode, get evaluated. If a cause can be detected, there is often treatment to prevent it from happening again.
Get more medical reports from Dr. Brian McDonough.
KYW Newsradio's Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.
