When we undergo too much pain what causes us to pass out? Ive heard of people passing out with too much pain?

Question

What is this effect called? Please, do not answer if you are not prepared to give an extensive acount. I need to know about this on a level of pain ,and how it pertains to someone who may be suffering during death. Is it possible for the patient who is receding into the process of death to undergo an amount of pain where, but during this our body onky allows us to endure what we can. When we cross the threshold of pain that we cannot endure our body gives out, passes out, correct? Like when somebody who gets too drunk their body shuts down to protect them from drinking anymore--we typically call this "passing out". How about on a deeper level of medical study? Such as death? Will our bodies us a "flight or fight" response? We will endure what we can, but when we recede into what we cannot bear our bodies give out? Please, this is for a paper im writing for school, AND I need somebody to answer all these questions extensively!

Answer 1

I will only point you in the right direction. It is a side effect of shock. Also it has to do with ones pain tollerance. Someone who is exposed more to pain can handle more pain because they have developed coping skills. Others will give in to shock. But there is no set level. It is different for everyone, and generaly based on mindset and past experiences, and sometimes training.

Answer 2

I have a medical condition called Vaso-Vagal Syncopy. In some people, changes in elevation (sitting to standing) can trigger a fainting response.

In me, it is anxiety related. And pain makes me very anxious, therefore - when I have been submitted to pain that overwhelms me (cases in point are a broken bone and being bitten by a dog) my body eventually shuts down, causing me to faint. i also have seizures. When I faint, my heart actually stops beating. The seizure acts as a signal to trigger an electrical response from my heart, and usually starts it beating again. My heart is stopped for no more than 10 seconds at a time (and yes, I have been tied to a heart monitor when this has happened)

I would imagine that this passing out for me is a response to protect me. I don't believe pain alone would kill me, but if the pain is related to extreme blood loss - the stopping of my heart my slow my blood loss, but I could still die... it is possible that my heart won't restart after a fainting episode and seizure - but it wouldn't be a fun way for me to die. My body fights the impulse to pass out - although it does feel like a bit of relief at the time. It's actually the coming to that is a very painful process for my body.

I suggest you research through medical journals for more detailed information. You aren't going to get a response from anyone who has died from too much pain.

Answer 3

I have experienced this only once in my life. It was after an operation, in which I was over medicated. My heart stopped, and I quit breathing. They administered drugs to counter-act the narcotics, and when I woke up, I was in pain beyond anything I've ever experienced in my life. I was awake only a few minutes before blacking out from the pain.