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Sudden Bouts Of Nausea, Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain, Increased Heart Rate, Clamminess, Numbness. Possible Causes?
Question: I have had 3 or 4 times in my life including today where I will have a very sudden bout of diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, heart rate increase, feeling cold and clammy, numbness in entire body, and dizziness with an XXXXXXX (twice resulted in fainting.) There is no common situation when these attacks happen and they are over within 5-10 minutes. I am 24 years old, 5'5", 168lbs. I recently saw my PCP to discuss options for my anxiety (I have had panic attacks in the past couple years but they are different than these, mostly just hyperventilating.) He diagnosed me with a high heart rate but EKG and blood pressure were normal. I should note the 2nd time this happened I fainted and an ambulance was called. They determined I was hypoglycemic and my levels were dangerously low.
Dear patient,
Thanks for your health concerns. the episodes of passing out, which we call syncope, could be related to a vasovagal reaction; the main nerve that controls heart rate, blood pressure, bowel movements, sweating, etc is called the vagus nerve, and in some people it tends to be hyperactive; these episodes tend to be self limited and of short duration. Most of the time, these reactions are not life threatening by themselves but care has to be undertaken to prevent accidents.
Hope this is helpful, wish you the best health.
Dr Brenes Salazar MD
Cardiology
Mayo Clinic MN
Thanks for your health concerns. the episodes of passing out, which we call syncope, could be related to a vasovagal reaction; the main nerve that controls heart rate, blood pressure, bowel movements, sweating, etc is called the vagus nerve, and in some people it tends to be hyperactive; these episodes tend to be self limited and of short duration. Most of the time, these reactions are not life threatening by themselves but care has to be undertaken to prevent accidents.
Hope this is helpful, wish you the best health.
Dr Brenes Salazar MD
Cardiology
Mayo Clinic MN
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