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Heard about Bihar boy who fainted in class of 500 girls? Medical diagnosis: Vasovagal syncope

This is called vasovagal syncope in medical terms. It occurs due to a sudden drop in blood pressure and heart rate due to a trigger element.

BySumit Jha

Published Feb 06, 2023 | 9:00 AM ⚊UpdatedFeb 06, 2023 | 9:00 AM

A class 12 student in Bihar fainted at the examination center when he entered the examination hall. (Screengrab)

A Class 12 student in Bihar fainted at the examination centre when he entered it to write his exam.

According to reports, the boy — identified as Mani Shankar — was studying at Sharif’s Allama Iqbal College in the Bihar Sharif district of the state.

When he went for his Class 12 exam at Brilliant School, he found himself in a hall where all the other examinees were girls.

Shankar’s aunt revealed that the boy fainted when he realised he was the only boy among 500 girls.

The reports also stated that due to his unconsciousness and the fall, he fractured his arm.

अजब-गजब! नालंदा में बिहार बोर्ड 12वीं की परीक्षा के दौरान एक छात्र को 500 लड़कियों के बीच बैठा दिया गया. नतीजा देखिए- लड़का बेहोश हो गया. नर्वस होकर गिर गया. परीक्षार्थी मनीष शंकर को अस्पताल लाना पड़ा…नालंदा से अमृतेश की रिपोर्ट.Edited by @iajeetkumar pic.twitter.com/cJTmaLcfmi

— Prakash Kumar (@kumarprakash4u) February 1, 2023

https://twitter.com/Fah_ee_ma/status/1621444562123362306?s=20&t=QbElQG8Ws_UnqbeqZhSKRw

The reason?

This type of fainting, in medical terms, is known as vasovagal syncope.

“The fact that the boy developed a fever after fainting suggests that he was already suffering from a mild illness — possibly a viral fever — and may not have properly eaten in the morning,” Hyderabad’s Apollo Hospital’s neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar told South First.

“He would have been nervous because of the examination, and his anxiety could have been aggravated at the sight of only girls and no boys in the examination hall. All these factors could have combined to cause the syncope, leading to the fainting and the fall, after which he even had a fractured arm,” said Kumar.

Syncope is a medical term used to describe a temporary loss of consciousness and muscle strength caused by a sudden decrease in blood flow to the brain.

Vasovagal syncope, also known as neurally mediated syncope, or simply fainting, is a common type of syncope that occurs due to a sudden drop in blood pressure and heart rate due to a trigger element.

Cause of vasovagal syncope

It is caused by a combination of triggers that stimulate the vagus nerve, which slows down the heart rate and dilates blood vessels.

This leads to a sudden drop in blood pressure and decreased blood flow to the brain, causing a temporary loss of consciousness (fainting). Triggers may include:

Prolonged standing or sitting
Dehydration
Stress or intense emotions
Pain or injury
Medical procedures or injections
Certain foods or drugs
Urination or defecation
Overheating

Treatment of vasovagal syncope

Most people recover quickly and completely after a vasovagal episode.

“The easiest way to not faint in these situations is by staying hydrated can help maintain blood pressure and prevent fainting,” said Kumar.

He added that identifying and avoiding triggers that cause fainting can help prevent future episodes.

For individuals with a fear of fainting, gradual desensitisation of the exposure to triggers helps reduce the fear and prevent future fainting episodes.