A panic attack is a sudden, intense experience of fear coupled with an overwhelming feeling of danger, accompanied by physical symptoms of anxiety, such as a pounding heart, sweating, and rapid breathing. A person with panic disorder may experience repeated panic attacks (at least several a month) and feel severe anxiety about having another attack.
Each year, panic disorder affects one in every 63 Americans. It is two times more likely to affect women.
A Harvard study shows that people who react to stress with intense anxiety or panic are four times more likely to become ill than those who are able to control or relax their nerves. Though some anxiety is normal and even healthy, higher levels of anxiety are not only uncomfortable, but can usually lead to significant health problems.
Panic disorder is a chronic, debilitating condition that can have a devastating impact on a person's family, work and social life.
Four or more of the following symptoms during panic attacks would indicate panic disorder:
* pounding, skipping, or palpitating heartbeat
* shortness of breath or the sensation of smothering
* dizziness or lightheadedness
* nausea or stomach problems
* chest pains or pressure
* choking sensation or a "lump in the throat"
* chills or hot flashes
* sweating
* fear of dying
* feelings of unreality or being detached
* tingling or numbness
* shaking and trembling
* fear of losing control
A panic attack is often accompanied by the urge to escape, together with a feeling of impending doom. Others are convinced they are about to have a heart attack , suffocate, lose control, or "go crazy." Once people experience one panic attack, they tend to worry so much about having another attack that they avoid the place or situation associated with the original episode.
Anxiety is the result of emotional and/or physical stress encountered in our daily lives, such as the news of our current world unrest, relationship difficulties, severe financial problems, job demands, food or environmental allergies, hormonal imbalances, traffic jams, pharmaceutical medications, nutrient deficiencies (such as B vitamins or magnesium, for example), caffeine, and elevated lactic acid levels in the blood (acidosis), which would be caused by exposure to alcohol, caffeine, and sugar, inner toxicity connecting with Candida-yeast overgrow or an excess of toxic metals as well as food allergies, etc.
A drop in blood sugar causes extreme reactions in the nervous system, including feelings of anxiety, confusion, and even panic attacks. The incidence of blood sugar abnormalities is far higher than imagined, and affects over half our population. Consumptions of refined sugars and starches, diets deficient in EFA and the use of stimulants such as coffee or cola drinks, may contribute to this cause of anxiety feelings.
Biotherapy Alternative Medicine Clinic of San Francisco offers a comprehensive non-drug complementary healing program for sufferers from panic disorder or anxiety.
Visit Us :
http://www.biotherapy-clinic.com
2215 Post Street, Suite 1
San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
E-mail:: info@biotherapy-clinic.com
Phone: 415-409-3939
Fax: 415-409-3909
