General Info

[Mr. Bill]

I had a guy loose consciousness in my chair yesterday and I thought this quote might be of interest to help explain what is going on when this happens during a tattoo. (please correct me if I'm wrong StarMedic);

"common non-heart causes of temporary loss of consciousness include fainting after blood is drawn or after certain situational events (situational syncope), such as after urination, defecating, or coughing. This occurs because of a reflex of the involuntary nervous system (vasovagal reaction) that leads to slowing of the heart rate and dilation of the blood vessels in the legs, thus lowering the blood pressure. The result is that less blood (therefore less oxygen) reaches the brain as it is directed to the legs. With situational syncope, patients often note nausea, sweating, or weakness just before the loss of consciousness occurs.

The vasovagal reaction is also called a vasovagal attack. And situational syncope is also called vasovagal syncope, vasodepressor syncope, and Gower syndrome after Sir William Richard Gower (1845- 1915), a famous English neurologist."

[STARMedic]

Right....vasovagal problems are a direct result of the patient bearing down, just like takin a shit and tryin to squeeze a big battle royal out. The vagus nerve (10th cranial nerve) innervates the parasympathetic side of the cardiac plexus, and as I teach all my EMT students, where all the books leave off....there are two sides....the Sympathetic (Nervous system) and Parasympathetic (Nervous system). Stimulation of the sympathetic side, speeds up heart rate and causes vasoconstriction(The books will all teach you only that it controls fight or flight), where the parasympathetic side causes the heart rate to slow down, along with systemic vasodilation(the books will only teach you that it controls the feed or breed mechanisms.). Many times when people are in rapid regular atrial rates, we try to induce the parasympathetic side by getting them to bear down, and slow their heart rate, me personally I dont like waitin for people to hear what Im sayin and go straight to drugs or electricity. I live here in what is somewhat of a retirement community and probably go to several calls a month at 0300 in the morning where some old timer has shut down while droppin a bomb due to that very same phenomenae. Nausea, sweating, pale, and weakness are what I commonly refer to as "Diaphoresis".....

I can see how this could happen to someone in the tattoo chair especially if they have never been inked before or if they anticipate pain....the normal response is to bear down......resulting in a vagal reaction.....

Good post....

Bruce

[pb359]

I live here in what is somewhat of a retirement community and probably go to several calls a month at 0300 in the morning where some old timer has shut down while droppin a bomb due to that very same phenomenae.

Bruce

Yep. I work in a LTC facility, and it happens all the time...

[ink_freak]

not on topic really but he said trying to squeeze a big battle royal out! thats way to funny ,i guess this guys legacy lives in the form of a refeerence to shit........thats funny.lol

[STARMedic]

Yeah I make a funny every now and then....

Bruce

[junkyman]

I have to say Starmedic, i think i speak for everyone when i say we are blessed to have someone with your knowledge on this site. Youve helped me personally to be able to understand these situations more than i thought possible, im not kissing your ass, just giving it a thankful pat! LOL!!!!!!