What Makes People With Multiple Sclerosis Faint?

Fainting and blacking out are not common symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), but they can be caused by various factors. Orthostatic intolerance, or orthostatic dysregulation or dysfunction, refers to a drop in blood pressure after a change in body position, often going from lying or sitting to standing. Epileptic seizures are more common in people with MS than in the general population.

Meanwhile, the cause of multiple sclerosis is unknown, as it is an immune-mediated disease where the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues. In MS, the immune system damages the fatty covering (myelin) that insulates nerve fibers within the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS consists of the brain, spinal cord, and other organs.

Dizziness and vertigo are common symptoms in MS, which can have knock-on effects on walking. These issues affect people differently and vary from day to day. Common symptoms include visual and oculomotor abnormalities, and dizziness is caused by lesions in the complex pathways that coordinate visual, spatial, and other inputs to the brain.

Adequate hydration can prevent fainting episodes, and sexual dysfunction (SD) is a highly prevalent but often underdiagnosed symptom of MS. Fainting spells can happen for various reasons, such as low blood pressure, a drop in blood sugar, being overheated, or other reasons.

Meanwhile, problems with balance and feeling dizzy are common in MS. There are many possible causes of MS, such as autoimmune disorders, infectious agents like viruses, and environmental factors. Plegridy, which treats multiple sclerosis, can also cause dizziness and vertigo.

In summary, fainting and blacking out are common symptoms of MS, and their causes vary among individuals. It is essential to manage these symptoms and seek help if you experience difficulty getting around.

What causes sudden blackouts?

Syncope, a type of blackout, is often mistaken for epileptic seizures, but it is more commonly caused by a problem in blood pressure regulation or heart issues. Up to 40% of the population will lose consciousness due to syncope, and its causes vary with age, with older adults often having multiple causes. Many syncopal attacks require explanation and reassurance from a GP or trained nurse, but consultation with a specialist may be necessary if the cause remains uncertain, there are concerning symptoms, or there is a family history of a heart condition. In older adults, multiple causes often exist. It is essential to seek medical attention if the cause of the syncope remains uncertain or if there are particularly concerning symptoms.

Can nerve damage cause fainting?

Autonomic neuropathy is a condition characterized by the damage to nerves in the body, leading to symptoms such as dizziness, urinary problems, sexual difficulties, difficulty digesting food, hypoglycemia, sweating problems, slow pupil reaction, and exercise intolerance. These symptoms can be triggered by sudden drops in blood pressure, urinary problems, sexual difficulties, changes in digestive function, and the inability to recognize low blood sugar. The American Diabetes Association recommends annual autonomic neuropathy screening for type 2 diabetes patients, starting with diagnosis, and five years for type 1 diabetes patients.

In cases of autonomic neuropathy, it is crucial to seek medical attention, especially if you have poorly controlled diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recommends annual screening for type 2 diabetes patients and five years for type 1 diabetes patients. It is essential to seek medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms.

Why does MS cause loss of balance?

The inner ear, which is responsible for providing the brain with updates regarding head angle and position, may be affected by MS. This can potentially disrupt or omit message pathways, which can exacerbate balance issues.

What deficiency causes fainting?

Fainting, or syncope, is a sudden loss of consciousness caused by factors such as low blood volume, diabetes, vitamin B12 deficiency, or other peripheral nervous system conditions. It can indicate an underlying medical issue and should be treated as a medical emergency until the cause and symptoms are identified. Factors such as poor circulation, medication use, low blood volume, and emotional distress can also contribute to fainting.

Can MS cause hypotension?

Neurologic disorders like multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, and tabes dorsalis can cause autonomic dysfunction and hypotension. This can also result from increased baroreceptor response and efferent parasympathetic activity. Shy-Drager syndrome, a rare degenerative disorder of the sympathetic and basal ganglia, causes autonomic nervous system dysfunction and orthostatic hypotension. Neurocardiogenic syncope, a common form of syncope, is triggered by orthostatic stress, such as warm environments, pain, emotional stress, low hydration, and prolonged fasting, resulting in sudden loss of consciousness and postural tone.

What provokes fainting?

Fever can be caused by various conditions, including heart problems, low blood sugar, anemia, and nervous system issues. Two main types of syncope are vasovagal and cardiac syncope. Vasovagal syncope, the most common type, occurs in children and young adults when a reaction in the nervous system slows heart rate and lowers blood pressure, reducing blood flow to the brain and causing fainting. In serious cases, it may lead to a seizure. Attacks usually occur while standing and are often preceded by warmth, nausea, lightheadedness, and visual “grayout”.

Can multiple sclerosis cause falls?

Physical injuries, such as soft tissue injuries and fractures, are common in individuals with MS, with the proportion of falls ranging from 40 to 50. The risk of fracture from falling is higher in the presence of osteoporosis, a common consequence of decreased mobility. Falls in the bathroom are more common, and fear of falling can lead to curtailment of activities and social isolation. Fear of falling is also an independent risk factor for future falls. Patients who fall may struggle to get off the floor, causing further injury, exposure, and psychological distress. Many factors are associated with falls in MS, but causality is rarely established.

Why does multiple sclerosis cause dizziness?

MS patients may experience dizziness and vertigo due to nerve damage, altering their perception of signals. Other common causes of vertigo, unrelated to MS, include inner ear issues. Dizziness is a light-headed and “woozy” sensation, while vertigo is the feeling of your surroundings spinning even when you’re standing still. This acute, uncomfortable feeling can be likened to spinning around and stopping suddenly. Vertigo can cause difficulty standing or walking, and even lead to falls.

It rarely persists for a long time but usually subsides gradually over weeks or months. Some people may experience it chronically. Vertigo can be associated with nausea or vomiting, and it can cause difficulty standing or walking.

What is the substantial burden of dizziness in multiple sclerosis?

Dizziness affects 49-59 percent of people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), with true rotational vertigo affecting around 20 people. Symptoms of vestibular system dysfunction include vertigo, dizziness, and imbalance, which impact functional ability, contribute to falls, and increase health and social care costs. Vestibular dysfunction can be due to peripheral pathology, such as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), as well as central or combined pathology.

Vestibular symptoms can be treated with vestibular rehabilitation (VR) and repositioning manoeuvres for BPPV. However, there is limited evidence about the rate and degree of symptom recovery with VR for MS and vestibulopathy. A customized VR approach may be more clinically appropriate and cost-effective than generic booklet-based approaches. BPPV should be identified and treated appropriately, as it is often associated with a multiplicity of symptoms and underpinning vestibular pathologies.

What causes fainting spells?

Fever may be the result of a number of different factors, including fatigue, dehydration, anemia, low blood pressure resulting from the use of certain medications or the presence of underlying health conditions, and orthostatic hypotension.

Can multiple sclerosis cause fainting?

Individuals afflicted with MS may present with a constellation of symptoms, including dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness, and, less frequently, vertigo. The latter is characterized by the sensation of spinning or rotation of the patient or their surroundings.