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Your Online Guide » Common Illness » Panic Attacks

[S1225]Symptoms Of Panic Attacks And Anxiety
by Beth Kaminski, Bet

Anxiety attacks conquer the mind and the thought process of the person and fill his senses with uncontrollable fear. He feels as if he is going to die. These attacks have a major negative impact on the minor glands and tend to alter the functions of the major organs as well. As the functions of heart, eyes, stomach etc are affected, these react to the attacks and either increase the impulse or completely hide it. This condition should be treated with medication for anxiety attacks.

Diagnosing an anxiety disorder is not a piece of cake. Since it tends to guise itself as some other diseases, thorough medical examination and tests have to be conducted in order to have a proper diagnosis. Some of these medical conditions are hypoglycemia, complex partial seizures, and heart arrhythmia and hyperventilation syndrome. It is a great possibility that people might take the panic attacks as asthma, irritable bowel, colitis, vertigo, mitral valve prolapse, hypertension, postural hypotension, post concussion syndrome, and hiatal hernia. If the source of anxiety is known and understood then there would be no problem in understanding the methods to manage the anxiety. There are some self help methods as well. They are also beneficial.

Not all the methods of treating panic attacks are difficult. As a matter of fact, the best treatments for panic attacks are as simple as confronting your fears and maintaining a healthy diet. Another thing that you should keep in mind is that you should be optimistic and should laugh whole-heartedly. A doctor by the name of Patch Adams is using laughter therapy to improve the condition of cancer patients, especially children. No doubt that cancer is a deadly disease, but focusing your mental energy on positive outcomes, this will help improve your condition.

Simple it may sound, but while you suffer from panic disorders, laughter can just give you a feel-good feeling. However, when you are into a panic attack, think of laughing might sound impossible. Laughter has been proven to cause the body to release hormones and chemicals that lower blood pressure, boost the body's immune system and improve the brain's function as well as reduce stress levels and elevate moods. Indulge into some activities that would make you laungs, such as watching comedy movies, reading books or hanging around with friends. You are surely to be benefitted by this technique.

It has bee realized that poor sleeping patterns and lack of sunshine contributes to panic attacks. hence one of the most simple and best treatments for panic attacks is sleep. Researches have shown that vitamin D fights the panic and anxiety attacks. Less sunshine would mean less vitamin D, and less vitamin D would mean less resistance against the panic attacks.

Before getting yourself into prescribed drugs to treat anxiety attacks, use more natural methods such as the ones explained above. Instead of just focusing on one, use a combination of techniques and methods. All these will help you lead a happier life and help you deal with stress and problems, issues and dangers with a more rational mind. An uncluttered mind will help you seek a solution with a clearer vision and your problems, no matter how big they may be, will be handled rightly, making it smaller in your views.


Perhaps the first thing to say is, you are not alone! Everyone in the world experiences anxiety to some extent or other! It is part of our natural response to danger, whether that danger is actual, anticipated, or just imagined.

The sensations we experience are part of our Fight or Flight response. This is a natural reaction to danger and is found in both humans and animals. When the fight or flight response is activated, hormones are released throughout the body to enable us to either fight the dangerous situation or to run from it. The effects of these changes on our body chemistry can be quite dramatic:

Sweating; Palpitations; Dizziness; Legs go to jelly; Numbness and tingling; Hyperventilating; Chest pains; Trembling; Shortness of breath; Feelings of unreality; Nausea; Diarrhoea; Fainting; Feelings of loosing control.

It is important to realise that these are part of our evolutionary heritage; the natural way the body protects itself. They are not a problem in themselves and usually recede once the immediate danger has passed.

Many people don't realise that the way they think when they have an anxiety disorder, turns on their Fight or Flight response. Our bodies can't tell the difference between the thoughts in our head and a real physical danger.

At this level your brain makes the same judgement call about a very real truck rushing towards you, and that internal voice that says "What if I have a panic attack; What if I make a fool of myself; What if the doctor has made a mistake?" It just sees "danger" and switches on the Fight or Flight response and around we go!

Most non-sufferers of anxiety disorders go through a typical day running their Fight or Flight response at a low level. There may be times where they might peak higher, but these are the exception and not the rule. The causes of these "blips" are usually easy to see - starting a new job, attending a funeral, a heated argument with a colleague, etc.

Others suffer from an elevated level of anxiety on a regular basis. Their feelings can't be attributed to any obvious cause, it is just there. This elevated level of non-specific anxiety is called General Anxiety Disorder or GAD. People with this disorder often lack the ability to concentrate and feel exhausted all the time.

Above this background level of raised anxiety we have the full blown panic attack itself. If you have experienced one you will know just how terrifying an attack can be. Because they are so unpleasant - we feel like we might be about to die - we begin to fear having another attack. This causes even more fear; and so, like a snowball gradually gathering pace and weight as it rolls down a hill, the cycle of fear gains a seemingly unstoppable momentum!

It is important to recognise that any major life change can act as a trigger to panic disorders. It is not a sign of personal weaknesses or inadequacy. Events such as the death of a loved one, moving to a new home, or a divorce, can all act as a catalyst.

Sometimes an initial attack happens in a situation that then becomes anchored to the attack. A person might have their first panic attack in a car and then associate the car with the panic attack, so just going into a car triggers further episodes.

It is when our levels of anxiety start to interrupt our normal life we have a problem and need to take positive action to resolve it.

The first thing to do if you believe you are suffering from GAD, or have experienced a panic attack, is to get a complete medical check up from your doctor to rule out any underlying physical disorder.

Certain foods are also known to make matters worse. Caffeine is a stimulant that can increase anxiety, and excessive sugar can have a similar effect. Turning to alcohol to "relax" yourself is also a bad idea - it is more likely to make the anxiety worse!

There are also many self-help programmes available that can quickly and effectively help you on the road to recovery. The most important thing is to take powerful action to restore both your health and your confidence. The process begins with gaining an understanding of the symptoms and why they happen. This in turn helps us to lose our various fears, and by doing so we can effectively turn down our Fight or Flight response.

Copyright (c) 2008 Steve Cowley
Article Source : Pg. 4

About Author
Both Beth Kaminski & Steve Cowley are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Beth Kaminski has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cure Anxiety, Panic Attacks and Yeast Infection. As a leading expert in the field of , Beth Kaminski is always on the lookout for ways to treat panic attacks. Visit her site for more info. Beth Kaminski's top article generates over 12100 views. to your Favourites.

Steve Cowley has sinced written about articles on various topics from Lose Weight, Buying and Selling Home and Internet Marketing. Steve Cowley has run full-time Fitness and Martial Arts Clubs for over 25 years. His goal is to empower people to take control of their own lives and achieve freedom from fear and limitations. For further information about his recommendations visit. Steve Cowley's top article generates over 14800 views. to your Favourites.
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