What is the difference between fainting and a seizure

History is key! Syncope is due to a drop in blood pressure and decreased blood flow to the brain. People fall to the ground or slump over in a chair and subsequently regain full consciousness in a short period of time because of the return of blood flow. Syncope is very common; one out of every three people will experience it in their lifetime [2]. Convulsive syncope is characterized by small jerking after fainting with spontaneous and complete recovery.

This is due to decreased blood flow to the brain resulting in a seizure-like reaction. Treatment is aimed at finding out the underlying cause and avoiding those triggers if possible.

Prevention techniques can be used, such as laying down with feet elevated when you feel like you are about to faint and using counter-pressure maneuvers e. Be sure to visit a neurologist to have a comprehensive work-up after a fainting spell. Your doctor may get an electrocardiogram ECG , electroencephalogram EEG , electrolyte levels, blood pressure measurements in different positions orthostatics , tilt table test, or carotid ultrasound.

Schedule your appointment with Dr. Martin Taylor today! Before seeing the doctor, prepare your answers to these questions: What were you doing immediately before the event? All patients must have a comprehensive history and physical examination. The detailed history must include: Detailed past medical history Number, frequency, and duration of episodes Time of onset Body position when the event occurred Provocative factors or associated symptoms preceding the event Symptoms following the event Witness account, if available Medications Family history The physical exam must include: Pulse and blood pressure measurements while the patient is lying, sitting, and standing to assess for orthostatic hypotension Blood pressure in each arm.

The ECG is a powerful tool in the setting of evaluation of a patient with transient loss of consciousness. The ECG can help with the assessment for arrythmias sinus bradycardia, sinus pauses, atrioventricular heart blocks, ventricular tachycardia, bundle branch blocks , intraventricular conduction delays, pre-excited QRS complexes, left ventricular hypertrophy, and pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator malfunction, as well as others. An echocardiogram helps assess for structural heart disease including left ventricular dysfunction, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, significant aortic stenosis, intracardiac tumors, and right ventricular enlargement suggestive of pulmonary embolism.

Based on the yield from the initial investigation, further testing may be warranted depending on results and clinical suspicion. When the suspicion of epilepsy is high with the first unprovoked seizure or focal neurologic deficits, a minute interictal EEG and neuroimaging including CT or MRI.

Head-up tilt table testing HUT , with or without the use of intravenous isoproterenol or sublingual nitroglycerin, is useful in identifying neurocardiogenic syncope, orthostatic hypotension, and autonomic dysfunction. A positive HUT is demonstrated by loss of consciousness with hypotension with or without bradycardia. More specifically, bradycardia followed by hypotension is seen in neurocardiogenic syncope, a gradual decrease in heart rate and mean arterial pressure indicate autonomic dysfunction, and a decrease in blood pressure followed by reflex tachycardia indicates orthostatic hypotension.

If a HUT is negative and arrhythmia is strongly suspected, an electrophysiology study EPS , implantable loop recorder, or ambulatory heart monitor may also be considered. When a patient presents with transient loss of consciousness, identifying the accurate underlying diagnosis can be daunting. This task is manageable, however, by first documenting an excellent history and physical, then performing the above standard tests, and finally, collaborating with your colleague consultations from cardiology and neurology.

References: Benditt, D. Syncope in adults: Clinical manifestation and diagnostic evaluation. Downey Ed. Retrieved July 31, , from www. Differential diagnosis of cardiogenic syncope and seizure disorders. Heart, 89, Epilepsy, syncope, or both?

Main Differences Between Fainting and Seizure Fainting occurs when a person does not receive a sufficient amount of blood to their brain and pass out. Seizures occur due to electrical disturbances in their brain and blackout. Fainting can be caused due to a drop in blood pressure or heart rate. Seizures can be caused due to brain damage, drug abuse or electric shook.

Symptoms of fainting involve passing out, nausea and dizziness, while the symptoms of seizure include convulsions, drooling, and uncontrollable shaking. When a person faints, it lasts for a minute or less, while a seizure might last longer than a minute.

A person who has fainted should be made to sit down and checked for any injury and their pulse rate. A person who is suffering a seizure must be made to lie down and make sure they are not restricted or near any sharp objects. When a person passes out, and there is a sudden change in movement and behaviour, it is called a seizure.

It is caused due to a sudden drop in heart rate, a drop in blood pressure, or irregular circulation of blood. It is caused when there is an imbalance of electrical signals sent to the brain, and disturbances occur.

The symptoms of fainting include the loss of consciousness, unable to respond to stimulus , and blacking out. The symptoms of seizure include passing out, convulsions, drooling, and abnormal behaviour and motor functioning. Generally, after a person has fainted, if there was no severe damage, they can recover within a minute.