Fainting after unsuccessful bowel movement

[83dina]

I had a big lunch on Saturday in the Argentinian Steakhouse, including hundreds of different kinds of meats. On Monday night, not going to the bathroom to do number two since Saturday and felling bloated, I drank luxative tea, that might have been from a year ago. Around 3 in a morning after that I felt some discomfort in my stomach and went to the bathroom hoping to do number two. However after sitting on the toilet for about 5 minutes I felt that the pain encreased but nothing was going to come out. I even felt dizzy, nauseous and it was worsening. I stood up and was able to make a few steps back to my room, but then I lost my vision - everything went black and I lost my power, so I sat down on the floor. Next thing I remember my boyfriend was shaking me and calling my name, then I woke up. I fainted for a few seconds. After I lied down I felt much better. And later that night I did return to the bathroom successfully three times. What is the cause of my fainting and is it dangerous, should I be worried? Or is it because the tea was too old?

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
In all probability this was a vasovagal attack. Excess gas, toxins from food you took, infection etc can trigger it. Take some probiotics. Keep yourself hydrated. Consult a doctor. Take care!

[caregiver222]

The human body has a nerve, called the vagus nerve. This wanders about the body from the carotids to the anus. It runs right near the anal sphincter.

When the vagus nerve is stimulated the heart rate drops by from twenty to forty beats per minute.

In hospitals in years gone by, cocaine overdoses, which cause very high heart rates, were sometimes treated by means of a gloved, lubricated finger inserted and withdrawn several times in the anal sphincter.

The nerve can also be stimulated by rubbing the carotids, which is dangerous because plaque may be broken off (causing a stroke), but was a way stage hypnotists used to cause unconsciousness (and tachycardia was once treated in ER's that way)

There is a genetic sensitivity involves. Some people have a vagus nerve that is more sensitive than others. The late Jackie Kennedy had an extremely sensitive vagyus nerve, which was the cause of her fainting.

The majority of heart attack deaths occur when the patient goes to the toilet and strains.

Usually there is a cofactor - in females mild anemia and dehydration.

There is nothing to be especially worried about the single incident, however such an episode often goes hand-in-hand with anemia, so it would pay to get blood work and a hematocrit.

If it happens again, immediately lie down and elevate your legs.

In the meantime use a stool softener such as metamucil and drink plenty of fluids.

[thedocsquawk]

Sometimes people pass out when they strain a lot. This happens on the toilet in a condition called defecation syncope. Basically, the strain you put on yourself to poo slows your heart down so much you pass out. Aside from hitting your head, it's generally pretty benign. Might be a good idea to see a doctor in case it's something more esoteric.

[sellio]

There is a vasovagal response that happens for many reasons but one of them can be bearing down to have a BM. It can cause fainting. Wikipedia the online encyclopedia has a good article on it under "vasovagal response" at wikipedia.org