Syncope, particularly when triggered by coughing, is the brief loss of consciousness. Common causes include drawing blood, straining during urination or bowel movements, coughing, or swallowing. Emotional stress from fear or pain can also trigger this response. Before fainting, individuals may turn pale, feel nauseous, sweat, and experience weakness. This is due to a reflex in the nervous system known as the vasovagal reaction, which causes the heart to slow down and the blood vessels in the legs to dilate. As a result, the heart pumps less blood, blood pressure drops, and circulation favors the legs over the head, depriving the brain of oxygen and leading to fainting. This reaction is sometimes referred to as vasovagal syncope or situational syncope, and is also known as Gower's syncope, named after Sir William Richard Gower, a renowned English neurologist.
