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What it feels like: temporarily losing consciousness or vision, sometimes
preceded by feeling faint or giddy.
What can make it worse: coughing, urination, head-turning, exertion,
pain, a fright, food, hitting your head.
Your Doctor Visit
What your doctor will ask you about: seizures, changes in vision,
changes in sensation or movement, urination and bowel movements,
chest pain, hunger, sweating, dizziness when standing, head injuries.
Your doctor will want to know if you or anyone in your family
has had any of these conditions: seizures, neurologic disease, diabetes,
cardiovascular disease, lung disease.
Your doctor will want to know what happened when you
blacked out, including what position you were in, and whether
anyone watched you black out.
Your doctor will want to know if you’re taking any of these medications:
digitalis, antiarrhythmics, anticonvulsants, antidepressants,
blood pressure medications, insulin, diuretics, oral hypoglycemic
agents.
Your doctor will do a physical examination including the following:
blood pressure, pulse, listening to your heart with a
stethoscope, testing your stool for blood, thorough neurological
examination.
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Blackouts
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