differential diagnosis
Last reviewed 07/2023
Dizziness, vertigo and presyncope may be confused with syncope but these conditions do not cause loss of consciousness.
Syncope may resemble epileptic seizures but certain features in a history would favour syncope:
- precipitants such as pain, micturition, defaecation and emotion
- associated symptoms such as sweating and nausea
- rapid recovery without signigicant confusion
Jerking movements suggest seizure but they may occur in syncope.
Syncope falls within the broader subject area of attacks of loss of consciousness.