Archive for the ‘diseases-and-conditions’ Category

Panic disorder is a common condition in which a person has episodes of intense fear or anxiety that occur suddenly. Panic attacks can indicate the presence of panic disorder, depression, or other forms of anxiety-based illnesses. A panic attack typically lasts for several minutes and is one of the most distressing conditions that a person can experience. Panic attacks can occur at any time, even during sleep. An attack generally peaks within 10 minutes, but some symptoms may last much longer. At least 1.7% of adult Americans, or about 3 million people, will have panic attacks at some time in their lives. Panic attacks may be symptoms of an anxiety disorder. These attacks are a serious health problem in this country. About 5% of the population will experience panic attacks during their lifetimes. There also appears to be a connection with major life transitions such as graduating from college and entering the workplace, getting married, and having a baby. Severe stress, such as the death of a loved one, divorce, or job loss can also trigger a panic attack.

More women than men are affect?d by panic attacks. Some people are affected ?y frequent panic attacks, ? condition known as panic disorder. A panic attack is ? response of the sympath?tic ne?vous system (SNS). The mo?t comm?n symptoms may in?lude: trembling, dyspnea(shortness of breat?), heart palpitations, c?est pa?n (or chest tightness), sweating, nausea, di?ziness (?r slight vertigo), light-headedness, hyperventilation, paresthesias (tingling sensations), sensations of choking ?r smothering. M?ny of th? symptoms that occur during ? panic attack ?re the same ?s the symptoms of diseases of th? heart, lung?, intestines or nervous ?ystem. The simila?ities between panic dis?rder and ?ther diseases ?ay ?dd to the pers?n’s fear and anxiety during and after ? panic attack. H?redity, stress and certa?n biochemical factors m?y play ? role. Several ?edicines c?n make panic attacks less severe or stop th?m altogether. Pa?oxetine (brand name: Paxil) and sertralin? (brand name: Zoloft) ar? antidepressant medicin?s that have been approved b? the U.S.

Medications from the b?ta blocker fa?ily (for example, propranolol) ar? som?times used to treat the physical symptoms associated with ? panic attack. Antidepressants ?re ?ery ?ffective in preventing anxiety and panic attacks. Antidepressants will not make you lose contr?l ?r ?hange your pe?sonality. These medicines c?n be u?ed f?r a? long a? necessary, even for years. Alpra?olam and clonazepam (brand name: Klonopin) are also medicines app?oved by the FDA t? tr?at panic disorder. These medic?nes giv? rel?ef fr?m fe?r and anxiety. Cognitive-behavioral t?erapy ?elps people learn to deal w?th panic symptoms, u?ing techniqu?s li?e muscle ?nd breathing relaxation. Antidepressants, su?h as Tofranil, often hel? red?ce anxiety and the frequen?y and severity of panic attacks. Psychother?py ?ffers support and helps to minimi?e t?e fearfulness of sy?ptoms, ?nd sometimes ?s sufficient to clear up th? disorder.

Panic Attack Tr?atment Tips

1. Alte?native treatm?nts lik? meditation and relaxation t?erapy ?re often used to h?lp relax the ?ody and relieve anxiety.

2. Psychotherapy offers s?pport ?nd ?elps to m?nimize the fearfulness of ?ymptoms, ?nd som?times i? sufficient to clear up th? disorder.

3. Cognit?ve-behavioral therapy helps people learn t? deal with panic symptoms, using tec?niques like muscle and b?eathing relaxation.

4. Antidepressants, such as Tof?anil, often help redu?e anxiety and the frequency and sev?rity of panic attacks.

5. Benzodiazepines – These anti-anxiety d?ugs act very quickly.

6. Antidepressants ha?e be?n shown to reduc? ?r ?liminate panic attacks.

Finding the best form of treatment in fighting anxiety panic attack symptoms isn’t as easy as it seems. It takes some careful consideration, but the truth is, many people simply turn to drugs and pills as the solution in dealing with anxiety attacks. But, is this your best solution? Here’s a look at some of the pros and cons.

Pros

1. Fast Acting – Swallowing a pill will give you quick results in dealing with an anxiety panic attack.

2. Its Simple – Taking a pill is quick and easy to do every day. Your doctor writes you a prescription and you are on your way.

3. It works – Anxiety medication has shown to be very effective in controlling panic attacks, at least their frequency anyway. Medication can help you relax and reduce anxiety symptoms.

Cons

1. Side effects – Just like most every drug, there will be side effects involved. Side effects for medications used to treat anxiety panic attack symptoms can range from being very minor to very severe. There are times when they can cause a person to not be able to continue taking the medication.

2. Tolerance – As with most every drug, long term use will cause it to be less effective in fighting panic attacks. You may need to increase the dosage or even change to a different form of medication.

3. Drugs will not cure anxiety – This is perhaps the biggest con of all. Drugs are great in treating the symptom, but they fail to get to what is causing the problem. They can help reduce the frequency, but they will not eliminate all anxiety attacks from coming back.

The Verdict

Drugs are good in helping to cope with anxiety panic attack symptoms. They are simple to use and work quickly, but they fail in other important areas. If you want to eliminate anxiety attacks from your life forever, you’ll need to consider other more natural methods that are available.