How to stop panic attacks and what are the treatments available?

==== ====To avoid panic attacks go herehttp://bit.ly/yAvaBC==== ====I know a nurse who shared with me that she never will forget the first time that she saw a panicattack. She was a young nurse - training in the emergency room, when a lady came in the middleof a panic attack episode. Her whole wheelchair was shaking violently. She couldnt speak. Shewas really traumatized. Not all episodes are this bad, of course; and fortunately there are panicattack treatments to assist people before they get to that point.Obviously, if a person is in real danger, the fight or flight mechanism which started in the adrenals,with the release of adrenalin, will have many of the same symptoms as a panic attack. This isnormal, expected and necessary to help a person out of danger. Panic attacks are seen as aproblem when there is no known source for the symptoms, when they are unexpected and/oruncontrolled, and repeated for no apparent reason.What causes a panic attack?Although the exact causes of these attacks are unclear, the tendency to have anxiety runs infamilies. Some researchers state that a balance of chemicals in the brain stimulates itsdevelopment. There also appears to be a connection with major life transitions such as graduatingfrom college and entering the workplace, getting married, and having a baby. Severe stress, suchas the death of a loved one, divorce, or job loss can also trigger a panic attack. A panic attack canbe caused by a known source of stress and fear or be unexpected.Panic attacks can also be caused by medical conditions and other physical causes. The list belowis not comprehensive. If youre suffering from symptoms of panic, its important to see a doctor torule out the following (or other) possibilities:• Mitral valve prolapse, a minor cardiac problem that occurs when one of the hearts valvesdoesnt close correctly.• Hyperthyroidism• Hypoglycemia• Pheochromocytoma (neuroendocrine tumor of the medulla of the adrenal glands)• Labyrinthitis (inner ear disturbance)• Wilsons Disease (an inherited disorder that causes too much copper to accumulate in yourliver, brain and other vital organs)

• Vitamin B Deficiency• Stimulant use (amphetamines, cocaine, caffeine)• Medication withdrawalIn addition, there are triggers to having panic attacks. Some of these triggers are as follows:• Consuming a large quantity of alcohol• Addiction to alcohol - and abrupt cessation of the use of alcohol (after a habit of highconsumption• Imbibing a large amount of caffeinated beverages• Addiction to cigarettes - because nicotine sometimes can cause panic attacks• Usage of sleeping pills, and anti-anxiety medications.• Medications to treat heart disease and asthma• Illegal drugs such as cocaine and marijuana• Chronic stress• Major life stressors - getting married• Major physical/life stressors - having a baby• Recent surgery or anesthesiaWhat are the symptoms of a panic attack?The symptoms include a sudden intensified feeling of anxiety, accompanied with alarming physicalsymptoms. In addition, there may be other mental symptoms such as a feeling of loss of control ordying, or detachment from yourself or reality. The symptoms often escalate within 10 minutes andmost of them will be gone within 30 minutes. Some symptoms disappear completely only after anhour. It is best to consult with your physician to rule out a heart attack. A panic attack can becaused by a known source of stress and fear or be unexpected. The cause of panic disorder is notexactly known, but it is assumed that of balance of chemicals in the brain does stimulate itsdevelopment.For instance, there are common signs associated with a full-blown panic and anxiety attack. Itcould be one or a combination of the different prominent symptoms such as hyperventilation ofshortness of breath. You may consequentially feel numbness or some sort of tingling sensations,racing heart, heart pounding or heart palpitations, chest pains and discomfort. Other relatedphysiological manifestations are excessive and uncontrollable sweating, nausea, upset stomach,trembling or shaking, lightheadedness, fainting or dizziness, hot and cold flashes and feeling like

you are choking, having a blank mind among others.There are many symptoms that accompany a full-blown panic attack. These include having anaccelerated (racing or irregulara) heart beat, hyperventilation or shortness of breath - or fastsmothered breathing, chest pains and discomfort, light headedness, heavy sweating, chokingsensation, nausea, upset stomach, trembling or shaking, fainting or dizziness, hot and coldflashes, numbness, and tingling sensations.What kinds of panic attack treatments are available?As mentioned before these attacks can be treated so that they dont recur. There are manyavailable approaches to treatment for this condition. However, they dont all work for everyone.The best suggestion is to try various modalities of panic attack treatments and find out which oneswork for you. It certainly is dependent also on the reason for the attacks - and your response tothem.Therapists: Therapists can help their patients to uncover the circumstances by which the attacksmay have begun or from where they are stemming. With the help of an experience therapist, manypatients have been able to reclaim their freedom and ability to function in society.1. Cognitive behavioral therapy: Focuses on the thinking patterns and behaviors that are triggeringand sustaining panic attacks. This approach helps you to re-focus, look your fears squarely in theeye - and deal with them realistically. (Example: Interoceptive therapy: An approach that provedsuccessful for 87% of patients in a controlled trial which simulates the symptoms of panic to allowpatients to experience them in a controlled environment).2. Exposure therapy: is a type of behavior therapy in which the patient confronts a feared situation,object, thought, or memory. Sometimes, exposure therapy involves reliving a traumatic experiencein a controlled, therapeutic environment. The goal of exposure therapy is to reduce the distress,physical or emotional, felt in certain situations. Exposure therapy may be used in dealing withanxiety, phobias, and post-traumatic stress. During exposure therapy treatment, a therapist helpsthe patient remember a disturbing thought, traumatic situation, or feared object. The therapist alsohelps the patient deal with the unpleasant emotions or physical symptoms that may arise from thisexposure. Through confronting the situations and thoughts that cause stress, patients are oftenable to learn coping skills, eventually reducing or even eliminating symptoms.Prescription Medication: These can be helpful - but should be used cautiously - and not long-term.They all have side effects - which should be reviewed. To find out a complete list of themedications available to treat this condition, see your physician.1. Antidepressants are sometimes used in the treatment of panic attacks and panic disorder.However, it takes several weeks before they begin to work, so you have to take themcontinuously, not just during a panic attack.2. Benzodiazepines are anti-anxiety drugs that act very quickly (usually within 30 minutes to anhour). Taking them during a panic attack provides rapid relief of symptoms. However,benzodiazepines are highly addictive and have serious withdrawal symptoms, so they should beused with caution.

Natural cures (natural panic attack treatments):1. Change your diet - by eating a healthy diet, avoiding stimulants such as coffee and nicotine,avoid alcohol, and drink plenty of water.2. Exercise often: This is a great reliever of stress and can help to prevent panic attacks.3. Relaxation techniques: One of the easiest ways to prevent a panic attack - or stop one in itstracks is to try deep breathing or guided imagery. Calm down as soon as you realize you are goingto have an anxiety attack. Try taking slow, deep and cleansing breaths. This will just set you back.4. Acupuncture: This is purported to help heal the bodys organs and assist them to restore theirnatural balance.5. Acupressure: This method releases blocked energy - and relieves anxiety.6. Herbal remedies: There are many herbs that treat anxiety which can lead to panic attacks.Some of these include catnip, green and fennel teas, Kava, St. Johns Wort, Hops, Motherwort,Passionflower, and Skullcap.7. Meditation and yoga: These forms of de-stressing the body are also extremely helpful in slowingdown breathing and relaxing.8. Controlling negative thinking about your stressors. Stop yourself from falling into negativethinking patterns about the past, present or the future.9. Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT): An Eastern medicine method (using the same principalsas acupressure) may help. This is a method of working with the meridians in the body (energychannels) to first clear away the build-up of mental and physical debris that prohibits healing in thebody, then tapping on the ends of these meridians to regulate the impulses flowing along themand connecting the systems and organs of the body together. Using the tips of the fingers, atapping action is used to stimulate and unblock disruptions in the body. Mental and physcialconditions are said to be improved by this method.The bottom line is that there are many panic attack treatments available. There is no need to feelhopeless - or helpless. Depending on the reason for the panic attacks, panic attack treatments canoften be successful by applying therapies that are completely natural. There is help - and hope.Think positively - go for it!If youd like to learn more about Panic Attack Treatments, then please read below:FREE! "Discover A Little Known, Yet Powerful Natural Technique To Stop Panic Attacks &General Anxiety Fast - This Works Nearly Every Time"Thats Right - The Secret Youre About To Discover Inside Works So Well, You May NEVER Have

To Worry About Panic Attacks Ever Again! In This FREE Special Report, Youll See How JustAbout Anyone Can Stop Their Panic Attacks & General Anxiety For Good!Just click on the link below, and youll be taken to the free special report: Panic Attacks RemedyCenterArticle Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stewart_J._Anderson==== ====To avoid panic attacks go herehttp://bit.ly/yAvaBC==== ====

How to stop panic attacks and what are the treatments available?

by manisree321 on Jan 07, 2012

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How to stop panic attacks and what are the treatments available? Document Transcript