Fainting when swallowing

Introduction Swallowing syncope: Syncope caused by swallowing action. The swallows pass through the mouth, pharynx and esophagus in sequence as they swallow. The nerves that control these parts have the glossopharyngeal nerve and the vagus nerve. They are closely related to anatomy and physiology. In some cases, such as the presence of disease in the pharynx, esophagus, or mediastinum, stimulation of the bolus during swallowing can cause increased vagal tone, reflex cardiac depression, severe sinus bradycardia, atrioventricular block, and decreased blood pressure. In addition, cerebral blood flow is drastically reduced and syncope occurs.

Cause

Causes of syncope during swallowing: Any disease (mechanism or functional) that causes excessive vagus nerve excitability from the pharynx, esophagus to the stomach can cause swallowing syncope, including: tonsillitis, esophageal diverticulum, and esophageal diffuse fistula.

an examination

Related inspection

Brain Doppler ultrasound (TCD) electronic gastroscope

Diagnosis of syncope when swallowing: syncope occurs when swallowing. In some cases, such as the presence of disease in the pharynx, esophagus, or mediastinum, stimulation of the bolus during swallowing can cause increased vagal tone, reflex cardiac depression, severe sinus bradycardia, atrioventricular block, and decreased blood pressure. In addition, cerebral blood flow is drastically reduced and syncope occurs. And laryngoscopy, EEG, brain MRI, etc.

Differential diagnosis

Identification of syncope when swallowing:

Cardiac syncope: is a syncope induced by cerebral ischemia caused by a sudden decrease in cardiac output. Severe cases can cause sudden death in the onset of syncope, which is the most serious type.

Brain-derived syncope: refers to the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain (including the aortic arch of the vertebral-basal system of the carotid artery system and its branches such as the innominate artery of the subclavian artery), and the occurrence of syncope caused by temporary extensive ischemia.

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