Falls, Faints, Fits and Funny Turns

Overview

Journal J Neurol

Specialty Neurology

Date 2009 Mar 10

PMID 19271109

Citations 12

Authors

Roland D Thijs

Bastiaan R Bloem

J Gert Van Dijk

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

In this practically oriented review, we will outline the clinical approach of patients with falls due to an impairment or loss of consciousness. Following a set of definitions, we describe the salient clinical features of disorders leading to such falls. Among falls caused by true loss of consciousness, we separate the clinical characteristics of syncopal falls (due to reflex syncope, hypovolemia, orthostatic hypotension or cardiac syncope) from falls due to other causes of transient unconsciousness, such as seizures. With respect to falls caused by an apparent loss of consciousness, we discuss the presentation of cataplexy, drop attacks, and psychogenic falls. Particular emphasis will be laid upon crucial features obtained by history taking for distinguishing between the various conditions that cause or mimic a transient loss of consciousness.

Citing Articles

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[Tips for taking the medical history in patients with syncope].

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Syncope in Pediatric Practice.

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The mystery of unexplained traumatic sudden falls. A clinical case that adds a new feasible cause.

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Tilt-induced vasovagal syncope and psychogenic pseudosyncope: Overlapping clinical entities.

Blad H, Lamberts R, van Dijk G, Thijs R Neurology. 2015; 85(23):2006-10.

PMID: 26561288 PMC: 4676758. DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000002184.

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