by Debora Chaves

Created on: May 28, 2008

Panic Attacks: Symptoms and Treatment

A panic attack is a harmless occurrence, although it feels to the person experiencing it as anything but!
It is no wonder that people having their first panic attack often think they are having a heart attack, or are convinced they are dying or experiencing some other major medical emergency.

Symptoms of Panic Attacks

1. heart palpitations, a pounding heart, or rapid heart rate

2. chest pain
3. sweating or hot flashes
4. chills
5. trembling or shaking
6. numbness or pins and needles sensation
7. shortness of breath or a feeling of being unable to breath
8. a choking sensation
9. nausea or abdominal discomfort
10. dizziness or lightheadedness, unsteadiness or fainting
11. feeling of non-reality or or of being detached from your body
12. feeling as though you are losing control of yourself
13. feeling as though you are going crazy

Anxiety panic attacks

Feeling worried or scared is a normal response to a threatening situation.
But, if you feel extremely worried or afraid much of the time, or if you have persistent feelings of anxiety, you should consider getting medical help and advice.
According to Everdayhealth.com, anxiety disorders impact about 19 million Americans.
Anxiety panic attacks can be brought on by being anxious in social situations, or you might develop obsessions or unexplained fears about everyday things.
Recurring episodes of panic attacks brought on by anxiety in social settings or by irrational fears may interfere with your ability to go to work or to take part in your usual activities. To make things worse, there can be a social stigma in admitting to anxieties and fears in every day situations.

Hot Flashes and Panic Attacks

The May/June issue of Menopause:The Journal of the North American Menopause Society reported that anxiety levels play an important role in the hot flashes a woman has during perimenopause.
Women with moderate anxiety levels had 3X as many hot flashes than women who reported normal anxiety levels, and women with high anxiety levels had 5X as many hot flashes than women with moderate anxiety levels.
Menopause made worse any anxiety that a woman already had, and restoring hormonal balance will often times give relief from anxiety and panic experienced in menopause.

Treatment of Panic Attacks

Several types of medication have been shown to be effective in managing symptoms of panic attacks, and include:

SSRIs: Antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Zoloft, Prozac, Paxil,

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