Editing Reflex syncope (section)

===Lifestyle changes===
* The cornerstone of treatment is avoidance of triggers known to cause syncope in that person. However, research has shown that people show great reductions in vasovagal syncope through exposure-based exercises with therapists if the trigger is mental or emotional, e.g., sight of blood.<ref name="Durand, VM 2006. pp. 150">{{Cite book |author1=Durand, VM |author2=DH Barlow |year=2006 |title=Essentials of Abnormal Psychology 4th Edition |page=150 |publisher=Cengage Learning |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OCaeCAAAQBAJ&q=Durand,+VM,+and+DH+Barlow.+2006.+Essentials+of+Abnormal+Psychology+4th+Edition&pg=PT6 |access-date=12 August 2016|isbn=978-1111836986 }}</ref> However, if the trigger is a specific drug, then avoidance is the only treatment.
* A technique known as "applied tension" may be additionally useful in those who have syncope with exposure to blood.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hersen |first1=Michel |title=Encyclopedia of Behavior Modification and Cognitive Behavior Therapy |date=2005 |publisher=SAGE |isbn=9780761927471 |page=30 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LF05DQAAQBAJ&pg=PT50 }}</ref> The technique is done by tightening the skeletal muscles for about 15 seconds when the exposure occurs and then slowly releasing them.<ref name=Fel2006/> This is then repeated every 30 seconds for a few minutes.<ref name=Fel2006>{{cite book |last1=Felgoise |first1=Stephanie |last2=Nezu |first2=Arthur M. |last3=Nezu |first3=Christine M. |last4=Reinecke |first4=Mark A. |title=Encyclopedia of Cognitive Behavior Therapy |date=2006 |publisher=Springer Science & Business Media |isbn=9780306485817 |page=291 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bQ1KAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA291 }}</ref>
* Because vasovagal syncope causes a decrease in blood pressure, relaxing the entire body as a mode of avoidance is not favorable.<ref name="Durand, VM 2006. pp. 150"/> A person can move or cross their legs and tighten leg muscles to keep blood pressure from dropping so significantly before an injection.<ref name="pmid16398666">{{cite journal |vauthors=France CR, France JL, Patterson SM |title=Blood pressure and cerebral oxygenation responses to skeletal muscle tension: a comparison of two physical maneuvers to prevent vasovagal reactions |journal=Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging |volume=26 |issue=1 |pages=21–5 |date=January 2006 |pmid=16398666 |doi = 10.1111/j.1475-097X.2005.00642.x |s2cid=2763372 }}</ref>
* Before known triggering events, the affected person may increase consumption of salt and fluids to increase blood volume. Sports drinks or drinks with electrolytes may be helpful.
* People should be educated on how to respond to further episodes of syncope, especially if they experience [[prodrome|prodromal]] warning signs: they should lie down and raise their legs, or at least lower their head to increase blood flow to the brain. At the very least, upon the onset of initial symptoms the patient should try to relocate to a 'safe', perhaps cushioned, location in case of losing consciousness. Positioning themselves in a way where the impact from falling or collapsing would be minimized is ideal. The 'safe' area should be within close proximity, since, time is of the essence and these symptoms usually climax to loss of consciousness within a matter of minutes. If the individual has lost consciousness, he or she should be laid down in the [[recovery position]]. Tight clothing should be loosened. If the inciting factor is known, it should be removed if possible (for instance, the cause of pain).
* Wearing graded compression stockings may be helpful. Moreover, assuming a sedentary position and raising the legs above the height of head.