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What Causes Blackouts?

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Posted on Mon, 10 Nov 2014
Question: I have been getting these short bursts of time where I don't remember anything they usually don't last long approx 20min no drugs or alcohol are involved however talking to others when I've had one of these episodes I appear like I'm drinking or taking drugs this is very scary to to not have control over my brain. Any thoughts?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (27 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Need to exclude TIA or seizure

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for posting your query.

I have noted your symptoms. Based on them, we need to exclude conditions such as TIA- transient ischemic attacks and seizures.

In TIA, the blood supply to the brain gets reduced for a short while, resulting in the symptoms.

In seizures, there are abnormal electrical discharges from a part of brain. Duration of 20 minutes is a bit longer for seizures.

For confirming or excluding above conditions, MRI brain and EEG (electroencephalography) may be done.

I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.

Wishing you good health,

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (1 hour later)
What would cause this and how serious is this t I a ? I have had a seizure but this is the first time I heard about Tia I don't loose consciousness but like I said its a block of time where to others I appear drunk or on drugs also the next day I'm exhausted, thank you so much for responding
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (10 hours later)
Brief Answer:
TIA is not serious.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.

TIA is transient ischemic attack, where the blood supply to a part of brain get blocked for a short while. This is more likely to occur in presence of risk factors such as high sugar, BP or cholesterol.

It is not serious. If confirmed, it can be prevented by aspirin tablets.

Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Sudhir Kumar

Neurologist

Practicing since :1994

Answered : 6231 Questions

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What Causes Blackouts?

Brief Answer: Need to exclude TIA or seizure Detailed Answer: Hi, Thank you for posting your query. I have noted your symptoms. Based on them, we need to exclude conditions such as TIA- transient ischemic attacks and seizures. In TIA, the blood supply to the brain gets reduced for a short while, resulting in the symptoms. In seizures, there are abnormal electrical discharges from a part of brain. Duration of 20 minutes is a bit longer for seizures. For confirming or excluding above conditions, MRI brain and EEG (electroencephalography) may be done. I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information. Wishing you good health, Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in