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Differential diagnosis

Authoring team

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.

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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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