Let's have a little heart to heart

Most of you already know this, but I have a heart condition, Neurocardiogenic syncope to be precise. Basically, it causes me to faint, typically at the most embarrassing times possible. If you so desire, you can learn more about it here, or through the very reliable source of Wikipedia, under it's other name Vasovagal syncope. The first site has more scientific info, but the second site has more interesting information, like the fact that in one Scrub's episdode, JD is diagnosed with a form that is triggered by defecation. I am apparently very lucky, because I do not have that particular form. That would really really stink, lame pun totally intended. My form typically comes from exposure to painful or unpleasant stimuli, dehydration, prolonged standing or exposure to heat. My family has always known I was a fainter, but so what if I faint when I get a shot or having blood drawn. That's not that big a deal. But then, I fainted when I had my eyes dilated, and they started to think I was weird. When I was 14, I hit my elbow on a towel rack and was out cold. When my mom discovered me lying unconscious, she decided it was time to see a specialist. I was only 14 when I was diagnosed and for some reason, I have always assumed it would better as I got older, but it hasn't. But looking back, I don't think my doctor ever told me it would get better, apparently I am just a really optimistic person. Since then I have had a number of "episodes" but since I am able to recognize it early on, I have only lost consciousness a couple of times. Today, I had another episode that just made me fee, well, lame. I was reading an article in the NY Times and it mentions someone fainting. It just mentioned someone fainting, there was no talk of blood or anything gruesome at all! Read it yourself if you don't believe me. Half way through the article, I knew I had to stop, so I decided to go to the copy room and take a break from the computer. I barely got there before I had to sit down on the floor and put my head down. I have decided that I really need to take my doctors advice and increase the salt in my diet, next time I am at the store, I will get some potato chips. That is the thing about this particular condition, it stinks but the remedies aren't too bad.