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Related Concept Videos

Reflex Activity01:08

Reflex Activity

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A reflex activity is an automatic, involuntary response to specific stimuli. It is a part of our survival mechanism, designed to protect us from potential harm. For example, when a bright light suddenly shines into our eyes, we instinctively close them or look away. This is a simple reflex activity orchestrated by the nervous system without conscious thought or effort.
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Disorders of the Autonomic Nervous System01:18

Disorders of the Autonomic Nervous System

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The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is an intricate network of nerves that controls functions such as the regulation of heart rate, digestion, and blood pressure regulation. When this system malfunctions, it can lead to various disorders that affect multiple bodily functions. One common feature of many autonomic disorders is the involvement of smooth blood vessels, which play a crucial role in regulating blood flow throughout the body.
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Somatic Spinal Reflexes01:22

Somatic Spinal Reflexes

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Somatic spinal reflexes are rapid, involuntary muscular responses to external stimuli that involve the somatic musculature and the spinal cord.
One of the most well-known somatic spinal reflexes is the stretch reflex, which is activated by the sudden stretching of a muscle. This reflex involves the activation of specialized sensory receptors called muscle spindles, which are located in the muscle tissue and detect changes in the length and speed of muscle contractions. When a muscle is suddenly...
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The Micturition Reflex01:26

The Micturition Reflex

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Urination, or micturition involves the coordination of the bladder's detrusor muscle and two sphincters to ensure controlled bladder emptying.
The process begins with bladder filling, where the bladder wall stretches as urine accumulates. This stretching activates the urine storage reflex, mediated by the sacral spinal segments and the pontine storage center. Efferent sympathetic impulses stimulate the detrusor muscle to relax and the internal urethral sphincter to contract, facilitating...
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REM Sleep Behavior Disorder01:15

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

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REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder characterized by the absence of muscle paralysis that normally occurs during the REM phase of sleep. This absence allows individuals to physically act out their dreams, which are often vivid and disturbing. Common behaviors exhibited during episodes include kicking, punching, and yelling. These actions can be dangerous, potentially leading to injuries for the person with RBD or their bed partner.
RBD is significantly associated with...
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Decreased pulse rate01:14

Decreased pulse rate

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Bradycardia is a medical condition in which the heart rate is slower than normal. It occurs when the heart's natural pacemaker, the sinus node, generates slower electrical impulses than the standard rhythm. In adults, bradycardia is diagnosed when the pulse rate falls below 60 beats per minute, indicating a deviation from the normal heart rate range.
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Tilt Testing with Combined Lower Body Negative Pressure: a "Gold Standard" for Measuring Orthostatic Tolerance
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Reflex syncope in the UK Armed Forces.

Iain Parsons1,2, J Ellwood3, M J Stacey4

  • 1Academic Department of Military Medicine, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Birmingham, UK iainparsons@doctors.org.uk.

BMJ Military Health
|October 8, 2021
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Reflex syncope is common in the UK Armed Forces (UKAF), with higher rates in the British Army and overseas personnel. Understanding incidence aids in improving service personnel health and military readiness.

Keywords:
cardiac epidemiologycardiologypacing & electrophysiology

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Area of Science:

  • Military medicine
  • Cardiovascular health
  • Occupational health

Background:

  • Reflex syncope is the most common cause of syncope, leading to morbidity and diagnostics costs.
  • Its prevalence in the UK Armed Forces (UKAF) was previously unknown.
  • Certain occupations may exacerbate reflex syncope, raising concerns for military personnel.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence and prevalence of reflex syncope within the UK Armed Forces (UKAF).

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of the Defence Medical Information Capability Programme database.
  • Inclusion of data from 76,103 service personnel (SP) between January 1, 2019, and January 1, 2020.
  • Utilized prespecified read-codes at defence primary healthcare centres.

Main Results:

  • The overall syncope rate was 10.5 per 1000 person-years.
  • British Army personnel had a higher risk (10.7/1000 p-yrs) than the Royal Air Force (8.6/1000 p-yrs).
  • Personnel serving overseas (16.7/1000 p-yrs) and those in State Ceremonial duties (15.8/1000 p-yrs) showed increased risk, while training units had reduced risk.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides the first data on syncope incidence and prevalence in the UKAF.
  • Orthostasis and heat are likely triggers, with potential protection observed in recruits.
  • Findings can enhance SP health, offering benefits to the UKAF, with further research needed for risk identification.