Winter is here, some people love to wear turtleneck clothes, and some people don't like it.
But there is a category of people who may not be suitable for wearing (not with a short neck).
If you wear a turtleneck, it's uncomfortable, dizzy, black-eyed, out of breath, your heart pounding, like you've been choked in the throat...
Then be sure to beware, you may have "carotid sinus syndrome".
(Image source: soogif)
Place your hand at the position of the left and right fingers of the midline of the neck and you can feel significant vascular fluctuations, which is probably the position of the carotid sinus [1].
(图源:Pasquier M. et al. (2017))
Carotid sinus syndrome is commonly known as "collar disease".
When such people wear turtleneck sweaters, the sweater will compress the carotid sinuses of the body's "blood pressure regulator".
If the human blood pressure regulation system is likened to a unit, then the carotid sinus is the front line "sentinel".
The carotid sinuses are equipped with pressure receptors that are very sensitive to changes in blood pressure, and the central nervous system is quickly reported at the slightest movement, regulating blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiac output [2].
If the "sentry" is overly vigilant, it is vulnerable to external interference and misinformation, such as when wearing a turtleneck sweater, it will suddenly feel dizzy, weak, tinnitus and even faint.
The severity of the disease varies, and the consequences are different:
Mild patients often feel dizzy, pale, cold sweat and mental fatigue, etc., in most cases, do not need to see a doctor, they are fine;
Severe patients may experience sudden syncope, half-body or systemic convulsions, cardiac arrest, and untimely rescue can be life-threatening [3].
The duration of carotid sinus syndrome is usually shorter, usually a few seconds, and relieved after stopping compression.
However, if the pressure is too strong or too long, and the blood pressure drops sharply, it may lead to a real lack of blood supply to the brain, a decrease in heart rate, a coma and loss of consciousness, or a cardiac arrest, which is life-threatening [4].
In the unlikely event of this, you can use the following methods to give first aid:
If the person in this situation is yourself, when you have early symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, sweating, etc., you need to quickly lie on your back, undo your collar, and raise your legs to allow more blood to flow back to your heart.
If someone else faints from a carotid sinus irritation, they need to immediately lie on their backs, undo the collar, and keep the surroundings ventilated. Then determine whether he is conscious, if the call does not respond, you need to immediately dial 120, and under the guidance of a professional, CPR, waiting for the arrival of rescuers.
If you have this problem, the best solution is: don't wear turtlenecks. If you really want to wear it, you must also ensure that it is loose enough, that the tie and scarf are not tied too tightly, and that you do not suddenly turn your head or change your position quickly.
Turtleneck sweaters are only one of the triggers of "carotid sinus syndrome", which essentially causes symptoms as long as the carotid sinuses are compressed.
Slapping, massaging, kissing the neck, sudden neck rotation or looking up, standing up, and other rapid positional changes can all irritate the carotid sinuses in people with "carotid artery syndrome."
There have also been reports of deaths of "strawberries planted" between couples.
(Image source: Internet)
Don't imitate the film and television drama, from the back with your hand in the neck of another person to force a split, because the other party may really faint immediately, poor grasp will also cause permanent damage, there is a risk of sudden death.
Debunking:
According to the Internet, arterial sinus massage has the miraculous effect of helping sleep, and some people have a sudden idea of "attacking poison with poison" and using carotid artery massage to treat high blood pressure. This is all undesirable and harmful!
Review expert: Zhai Guangyao
Deputy Chief Physician of the Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University
bibliography
[1] Pasquier M, Clair M, Pruvot E, Hugli O, Carron PN. Carotid Sinus Massage. N Engl J Med. 2017 Oct
[2] Porzionato A, Macchi V, Stecco C, De Caro R. The Carotid Sinus Nerve-Structure, Function, and Clinical Implications. Anat Rec (Hoboken). 2019 Apr;302(4):575-587.
Wang Shengwu,Li Baojun,Li Junrong. Clinical analysis of two successful cases of cardiac arrest rescue for carotid sinus syndrome[J].Journal of Acute and Critical Care of Internal Medicine,2005(04):195-196.
[4] Parry SW. Should We Ever Pace for Carotid Sinus Syndrome? Front Cardiovasc Med. 2020 Apr 22;7:44.
Editors: Wei Luo, Emgrand, Zhang Liang
Proofreading: Wu Yihe | Typesetting: Li Yongmin
Operation: Han Ningning | Coordinator: Wu Wei