Symptoms of Blackout
Introduction
Blackouts are the lack of consciousness or the total or partial loss of memory. Possible causes of fainting include smoking and drinking a large amount of alcohol. If a person notices that someone is unconscious, they should place them in a sitting position or help them lie down so that they do not hurt themselves.
Fainting spells and blackouts are periods of loss of consciousness or memory. Brain damage, drug side effects, excessive alcohol use, or disorders like epilepsy can cause fainting. Blackouts can be due to recent traumatic events, resulting in forgetting everything before or after the incident. A medical professional should evaluate unexplained blackouts due to injury or trauma.
Types of blackouts
Alcohol blackouts
Two different types of blackouts can occur from drinking alcohol: block and fragmentary.
When a person consumes a large amount of alcohol, a blockage or blackout can occur. If this happens, they won't remember anything they did while drinking. Fragmentary blackouts affect only memory patches, so a person can reconstruct a memory by receiving prompts.
Syncope blackouts
There are two main types of syncope blackouts: neural and cardiac in origin.
Syncope, or fainting, can occur for different reasons. Neurally-mediated syncope is not severe and doesn't require treatment. Cardiac syncope is serious and may indicate a heart problem. Seek medical help for cardiac syncope to avoid complications or sudden cardiac death.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a disorder that causes seizures due to disrupted brain activity. Not everyone with epilepsy experiences a loss of consciousness during seizures. Seek appropriate care and support based on individual needs.
Major symptoms of blackout
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Fall down
- Be sweaty
- Look pale
Causes of blackouts
The potential causes of severe or life-threatening blackouts can include traumatic events, substance abuse, and various diseases and disorders.
Blackouts can arise from a variety of conditions or events that affect the brain. Often, fainting will result from a traumatic event or an event involving a head injury.
Traumatic causes of blackouts
- complications of brain surgery
- Concussion
- Electroshock therapy
- Injections and inoculations
- Mild head injury
- Phlebotomy
- Traumatic emotional event
Substance-related blackouts
- Alcohol intoxication
- Side effects of medications.
- Cleaning chemicals or pesticides
- Recreational drug use
Diseases and disorders of blackouts
Life-threatening blackouts
- Arrhythmias
- Cardiomyopathy
- Disorders of the heart valves
- Myocardial infarction
- Seizures, Serious infection
- Stroke, Traumatic injury
Diagnosis
If a person experiences fainting from syncope, a doctor may order an electrocardiogram to see if there are any underlying problems with the heart. If the doctor suspects that a person has epilepsy, they can go with an MRI or CT Scan. These imaging methods allow the doctor to analyze brain activity and rule out other neurological disorders.
If a person believes that they have psychogenic blackouts, a doctor may refer them to a neurologist who can diagnose psychogenic blackouts by eliminating other causes.
Treatment
Alcohol intoxication can cause unconsciousness or even a coma. Get emergency help if the condition worsens.
Fludrocortisone can alleviate fainting in people with neurally mediated syncope. Sit or lie down if you feel like you're about to faint.
Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) helps people with psychogenic blackouts by identifying stress triggers and using coping techniques.
When should I visit a doctor?
A person should speak to a doctor if they think they are experiencing symptoms of syncope, epileptic fainting, or fainting spells that result from medication. In cases of severe alcohol poisoning, a person may need emergency help. Most people will resume their everyday lives with medication. If a person's fainting spells are related to an underlying medical condition, they should stop once the person receives treatment to control the condition.
Blackout prevention
Besides abstaining from alcohol, moderation and pace are essential to preventing blackouts. Avoid binge drinking, which is defined as having five or more drinks in about two hours for men or four or more drinks for women.
To avoid blackouts, you must:
- Eat a vital meal or snacks before and during alcohol consumption.
- Drink slowly. Sipping, rather than gulping, will help you keep track of how alcohol affects the body.
- Hydrate your body: Consider drinking a glass of water between alcoholic drinks to limit how much and how quickly you consume alcohol.
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