Fainting (syncope) is a symptom of many underlying conditions or causes. The type of syncope may relate specifically to the condition, even though the root of the cause is not always understood. Types of syncope include:

• Vasovagal syncope (also vasodepressor syncope or neurocardiogenic syncope). Fainting caused by a rapid fall in blood pressure, often accompanied by a slow heart rate. This common type of fainting can occur from emotional stress, physical pain, standing quickly after lying down or sitting (orthostatic hypotension) or after a heavy meal. When the terms fainting and syncope are used by themselves, it is generally referring to vasovagal syncope.
  
  
• Syncope anginosa. Fainting spells that are accompanied by angina. Angina is a type of chest pain caused by a lack of oxygen to the heart (cardiac ischemia) due to coronary artery disease.
  
  
• Carotid sinus syncope. A sudden loss of consciousness caused by compression of the carotid sinus, a blood vessel in the neck. It can be caused by turning the head to one side or wearing clothing or jewelry too tight on the neck. This is sometimes called carotid sinus syndrome.
  
  
• Defecation syncope. Fainting spells that occur during or immediately after a bowel movement. It can be caused by a condition of the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease or orthostatic hypotension.
  
  
• Hysterical syncope. Fainting caused by hysteria, acute anxiety or emotional distress.
  
  
• Cough syncope. Sudden loss of consciousness after an episode of coughing. Laryngeal syncope is brief and follows a tickle and coughing in the back of the throat. Tussive syncope follows deep coughing episodes associated with chronic bronchitis.
  
  
• Micturition syncope. An abrupt loss of consciousness during urination. It most often occurs in men who strain to urinate because of conditions such as prostate enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH). BPH is more common in men who are overweight and diabetic than those who are not.
  
  
• Swallow syncope. Fainting associated with swallowing. It may be related to disorders of the heart or esophagus but can also occur in healthy individuals.
  
  
• Syncope of unknown origin. As the name implies, this describes fainting for which a cause cannot be found (idiopathic). This applies to about a third of cases of fainting. In most of these cases, the syncope is a singular episode from which the patient recovers quickly and suffers no long-term damage. When injury does occur, it is usually due to falling during the faint.

Local syncope, despite its name, is not a loss of consciousness. It is when an area of the body becomes numb and/or white from lack of blood flow. “Local” refers to the fact that it is occurring in only a section of the body, usually the fingers or toes. It is associated with Raynaud syndrome, a vascular disorder caused by contraction of small arteries.