Syncope (Tsaus Muag): Perspectives of Traditional Hmong Beliefs and Modern Medicine

There are many reasons a person might faint, such as during a seizure, choking, or fainting unexpectedly without a clear cause. This post focuses on spontaneous fainting, medically known as syncope, which is a temporary loss of consciousness. Traditional Hmong beliefs and modern medicine offer two distinct explanations for this condition.

Hmong Perspective:
In traditional Hmong culture, the world is divided into two realms: the physical and the spiritual, coexisting together. Even though humans can't see spirits, it's believed that spirits can influence people. Syncope, in this context, is explained as an unfortunate spiritual encounter where a person may be "pushed down" by a spirit. The cause may be an unsettled debt with a spirit or entering a spirit's domain. The spirit could be a deceased relative or an unknown wandering spirit.

A shaman (spiritual healer) is called upon to diagnose this issue through a soul-status ritual (ua neeb saib). If a spiritual problem is identified, a soul-offering ritual (ua neeb kho) is performed to negotiate with the spirit. The shaman’s role focuses on spiritual healing, without physical examinations or interventions.

Medical Perspective:
Modern medicine explains syncope as a result of insufficient nutrients, such as oxygen or glucose, reaching the brain. This causes the brain, which controls the body, to shut down temporarily, leading to fainting. Common causes include heart issues, stroke, or dehydration—complex medical conditions that disrupt blood flow or oxygen supply.
Medical professionals rely on the patient’s history, vital signs, and diagnostic tools like lab tests and imaging to identify the underlying problem. Treating the root cause of syncope can prevent future fainting episodes.

In conclusion, these two views—Hmong traditional belief and modern medicine—interpret fainting differently. The Hmong view sees syncope as a spiritual issue, while modern medicine explains it as a physical condition. One approach addresses the spiritual realm; the other focuses on the biological. How do these two perspectives resonate with you?