metabolic causes

Last reviewed 01/2018

The main metabolic causes of a transient loss of consciousness are:

  • hypoglycaemia:
    • a common cause in diabetics
    • other causes such as insulinoma are rare

  • hypocapnia:
    • hyperventilation causes vasoconstriction of cerebral vessels and loss of consciousness

  • hypoxia:
    • this is rare, even in severe asthma syncope is unusual