Sweat, paleness, dizziness, nausea… what is vagal discomfort ?

Le malaise vagal, plus impressionnant que dangereux

Le malaise vagal peut être une expérience effrayante, surtout lorsqu'il entraîne une brève perte de connaissance. Cependant, dans la plupart des cas, il n'y a pas de quoi s'alarmer outre mesure. L'essentiel est de savoir comment réagir.

Vagal discomfort (or syncope) is a sudden and brief loss of consciousness. "Brief" because the individual regains consciousness after only a few seconds. But for those who witness it, it can be impressive.

This discomfort can be triggered by various situations: the sight of a needle, a strong emotion, difficult digestion, prolonged standing in a confined space or even physical exertion on an empty stomach. Initially, a slowdown in heart rate and a drop in blood pressure cause a sudden decrease in oxygenation to the brain. However impressive it may be, this type of syncope remains relatively benign.

Act quickly

The key is to act quickly at the first warning signs. At the first signs of discomfort, it is best to lie down or have the person lie down without delay, ideally by slightly elevating the legs, to allow rapid blood flow to the brain. When sitting, leaning your head between your knees can also provide relief. The most important thing is to take the time to recover properly before getting back into motion.

In all cases, if the discomfort continues, if the person is under treatment for a cardiovascular disease or has already suffered from a heart attack, call 15. If the person remains unconscious, call – it in the lateral safety position (PLS) while waiting for help to arrive.