Complicated Terms For Minor Illnesses

Vasovagal Syncope

Vasovagal syncope is the most common kind of fainting individuals will experience. Vasovagal refers to the part of the nervous system that controls the cardiovascular system, including heart rate and blood pressure. Dysfunction in this leads to fainting. There are a lot of different triggers for vasovagal syncope, including anything from orthostatic hypotension to a lack of sleep. Any condition or event that makes an individual’s heart rate and blood pressure drop can cause them to faint. Ultimately, the only way to treat vasovagal syncope is to avoid triggers as much as possible. However, when triggers cannot be avoided, consuming lots of fluid and electrolytes can reduce the impact of fainting.

Sphenopalatine Ganglioneuralgia

Sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia sounds like two made-up words, but this is actually the medical term for what individuals call a ‘brain freeze.” Its technical name means pain of the nerve called the sphenopalatine ganglion. This condition occurs after rapidly eating or drinking something quite cold, such as ice cream or cold beverages. It is thought that the act of touching the cold food or beverage to the roof of the mouth is the main cause. In this condition, all of the blood vessels in the area constrict in the cold, and the local pain receptors send messages that lead to the pain. The reason these headaches only last a few seconds is because the temperature typically warms back up quickly. The best treatment is to place the tongue on the roof of the mouth for warmth. In seconds, it will feel like it never happened.