Feeling like fate is strangling you? Beware of collar syndrome

In winter in Shanghai, the wind is howling, and turtleneck sweaters are the only choice for keeping warm and fashionable. However, some people feel uncomfortable when wearing turtlenecks, as if they are being strangled by fate, which not only strangles their necks, but also causes nausea, fatigue, and shortness of breath.

Is it because the neck is too short? The collar is too tight? The clothes are worn backwards? NO!NO!NO!

In fact, this is a "collar syndrome" phenomenon. It has a special term in medicine, called "carotid sinus syndrome."

What is Carotid Sinus Syndrome?

Carotid sinus syndrome is a disease caused by hypersensitivity of the "carotid sinus" reflex. The carotid sinus is located in the middle of the outer side of the human neck, where the carotid artery pulsation is most obvious. There is a pressure receptor on the carotid sinus, and the sensitivity of each person is different. Sensitive people wearing high-necked clothes or clothes that fit tightly around the neck may cause a series of uncomfortable symptoms, such as dizziness, weakness in the limbs, nausea and vomiting, tinnitus, blackness in front of the eyes, chest tightness, etc.

The attack of carotid sinus syndrome is usually short, generally a few seconds, and will slowly ease after the compression stops; but if the compression is too strong or too long, it can cause the patient to faint and lose consciousness, and in severe cases it can be life-threatening.

4 types of carotid sinus syndrome

1. Cardioinhibitory type

When the carotid sinus is stimulated, cardiac arrest will occur, and the duration of the arrest is generally ≥3 seconds. Ventricular arrest is often caused by complete cardiac arrest.

2. Simple blood pressure lowering type

When the carotid sinus is stimulated, systolic blood pressure decreases, often below 50 mmHg.

3. Hybrid

Both cardiac inhibition type and simple blood pressure reduction type will occur. When the carotid artery is stimulated, not only cardiac inhibition will occur, but also blood pressure reduction will occur.

4. Primary brain type

When the carotid sinus is stimulated, although there is no obvious change in heart rate and blood pressure, the patient will experience transient syncope or presyncope symptoms. Of course, the syncope in this case is very short-lived.

Carotid sinus syndrome high risk population

1. People with high risk factors for vascular sclerosis: such as patients with hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, which are more common in men over 50 years old.

2. People with abnormal neck structure: such as carotid artery sclerosis or embolism, carotid body tumor, inflammation, tumor or injury near the carotid sinus, etc., which can cause the carotid sinus to become overly sensitive.

3. Patients with a history of neck surgery and/or radiotherapy: The morphology of the carotid sinus may be damaged or changed.

4. Young women: Some young women have autonomic dysfunction, which makes them overreact to carotid sinus stimulation.

How to treat?

If you experience dizziness, nausea, sweating and other discomforts, remember the "8-word self-help" mantra: lie on your back, loosen your neck, lift your legs, and breathe oxygen!

If an emergency such as fainting occurs, seek medical treatment immediately!

Dressing Guide

1. Replace turtleneck with a scarf: Turtleneck clothes are not necessary to keep your neck warm. You can replace it with a scarf, but be careful not to tie the scarf too tightly.

2. Cover your head, waist and abdomen: In winter, the head, waist and abdomen are the key areas for everyone to keep warm. You can wear a hat to keep your head warm; cover your waist and abdomen, and it is best to wear a top that covers the waist.

3. Onion-style dressing method: choose clothes with good sweat-wicking function for the inner layer, sweaters, fleece shirts and other warm clothes for the middle layer, and waterproof and windproof clothes for the outer layer to cope with weather changes.