- "Syncope" is also the medical term for fainting.
In
linguistics,
syncope is the deletion of
phonemes from a
word, or from a
phrase treated as a unit; compare
elision.
Syncope gives rise to many of the silent letters in English spelling. The traditional spellings of English place names such as Worcester and Gloucester bear evidence of syncope, as does the usual pronunciation of parliament. Syncope is the reason why Australian English is colloquially known as Strine.
In some traditional English spellings, the syncope suffered by abbreviated forms is indicated by an apostrophe, as in didn't and I'd've. In other, similar words, it is customary to omit the apostrophe, as in gonna for going to or wannabe for want to be. The forms showing syncope, whether indicated or not, are usually marked as colloquial and not used in the most formal sorts of English.
More on
[ Syncope ]
National Institutes of Health (NIH) News ReleasesSchizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder Share Genetic Roots Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:45:00 -0400
A trio of genome-wide studies -- collectively the largest to date -- have pinpointed a vast array of genetic variation that cumulatively may account for at least one third of the genetic risk for schizophrenia. One of the studies traced schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, in part, to the same chromosomal neighborhoods.
Imaging Technique Allows Researchers to Monitor Protein Changes in Mouse Tumors Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:05:00 -0400
A new imaging technique can monitor, in living mice, the HER2 protein found in above-normal amounts in many cases of breast cancer as well as some ovarian, prostate and lung cancers. This new approach, once validated in mice and pending further experiments, could provide a real-time noninvasive method for identifying tumors in humans who express HER2 and who would be candidates for targeted therapy directed against this protein. It may also provide real-time information that will help clinicians optimize treatment for individual patients. The study, published in the July 2009 issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine, was conducted by researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, both parts of the National Institutes of Health.
Dynasty: Influenza Virus in 1918 and Today Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:10:00 -0400
The influenza virus that wreaked worldwide havoc in 1918-1919 founded a viral dynasty that persists to this day, according to scientists from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health. In an article published online on June 29 by the New England Journal of Medicine, authors Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., Jeffery K. Taubenberger, M.D., Ph.D., and David M. Morens, M.D., argue that we have lived in an influenza pandemic era since 1918, and they describe how the novel 2009 H1N1 virus now circling the globe is yet another manifestation of this enduring viral family.
CNN.com - HealthPolice: Hospital worker swiped shots, spread hep C Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:18:42 -0400
A former hospital employee may have exposed hundreds or thousands of surgical patients to hepatitis C when she replaced clean needles filled with the powerful painkiller fentanyl with her own dirty needles filled with saline solution.
Health.com picks top beach, lake getaways Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:47:40 -0400
We know your summer vacation time is precious: You want to land where you can truly relax, breathe fresh air, get in some exercise and eat well -- without breaking the bank. That's why we teamed up with a panel of travel and health experts to help us find the healthiest of the nation's most popular beach and lake towns.
Subscribe to Conditions_and_Diseases RSS feed 
American Academy of Family Physicians - An article entitled: Exercise-Related Syncope in the Young Athlete: Reassurance, Restriction or Referral?
American Heart Association - An explanation of what syncope is, neurally mediated syncope, AHA recommendations and further resources to related issues.
Meta Description: [ Syncope (SIN'ko-pe) is temporary loss of consciousness and posture, described as ]
Cheltenham Syncope Clinic - Neurocardiogenic Syncope (also known as Vasovagal Syncope) and Carotid Sinus Syndrome are important, treatable, yet under-diagnosed causes of recurrent blackouts. Diagnosis and management of these conditions is explained in this website.
Meta Description: [ Neurocardiogenic Syncope, also known as Vasovagal Syncope, and Carotid Sinus Syndrome are important, treatable, underdiagnosed causes of recurrent blackouts. Diagnosis and management of these conditions is explained. ]
NPR : 'In Defense of Fainting' - Writer William Loiseaux has done a bit of scientific, linguistic, cultural and historical research on the act of fainting. He's written a treatise of sorts on the topic. It's called In Defense of Fainting, published in The American Scholar and reprinted here.
Syncope - Also known as fainting, an information sheet compiled by NINDS, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Meta Description: [ Syncope(fainting) information sheet compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). ]
The Merck Manual - An article about orthostatic hypotension and syncope.