A panic attack is an instance in which the body's
natural "fight or flight" reaction occurs It the wrong time.
This is a complex, involuntary physiological response in which the
body prepares itself to deal with an emergency situation. Stress
causes the body to produce more adrenal hormones, especially
adrenaline. The increased production of adrenaline causes the body to
step up its metabolism of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates to quickly
produce energy for the body to use. In addition, the muscles tense,
and heartbeat and breathing become more rapid. Even the composition of
the blood changes slightly, to make it more prone to clotting. In the
face of a threat such as an assault, an accident, or a natural
disaster, this type of reaction is perfectly normal and helpful for
survival. At other times, the symptoms caused by a surge in adrenaline
can be distressing and frightening. A person having a panic attack
often is overwhelmed by a sense of impending disaster or death, which
makes it impossible to think clearly. Other feelings that can
accompany a panic attack include: shortness of breath; a smothering,
claustrophic sensation; heart palpitations; chest pain; dizziness; hot
flashes and/or chills; trembling; numbness or tingling sensations
in the extremities; sweating; nausea; a feeling of unreality; and a
distorted perception of the passage of time. Eventually, the disorder
can have other, cumulative effects, such as generalized aches and
pains, muscular twitching and stiffness, depression,
insomnia, nightmares and early waking,
decreased libido, and abnormal feelings of tension with an accompanying
inability to relax. Women may experience changes in the menstrual cycle and
increased premenstrual symptoms. Panic
attacks are usually abrupt and intense. They can occur at any
time of the day or night, and can last from a few seconds up
to half an hour. To the panic sufferer, it often feels as
though they are much longer. A person having a panic attacks
often believes that he or she is experiencing a heart
attack or a stroke. The attacks
themselves are very unpredictable; some people experience one
every few weeks, while others may have several a day. They are
often triggered by stress (conscious
or unconscious) or certain emotions, but may also occur in
response to certain foods, drugs, or illness. Food allergies
and hypoglycemia are both
common among people with this disorder, and can promote panic
attacks. An attack may follow ingestion or overindulgence in
caffeine based stimulants such as tea or coffee. Some attacks
occur with no apparent cause. The unpredictability of the
attacks makes them even more distressing. Many people with
acute anxiety disorder become fearful of being alone and of
visiting public places because they fear having a panic
attack. Of course, this only adds to the level of anxiety
and leads to their lives being abnormally restricted. For
years, panic attacks were dismissed as a psychosomatic
phenomenon. However, repeated studies have shown that this
disorder has a real, physical basis. Many experts believe that
panic attacks are caused principally by a malfunction in brain
chemistry, wherein the brain sends and receives false
"emergency signals." Hyperactivity in certain areas
of the brain causes the release of norepinephrine, which
causes the pulse, blood pressure, and breathing to become more
rapid-the classic symptoms of a panic attack. Chronic anxiety
is a milder, more generalized form of this disorder. Many
people feel a vague sense of anxiety much of the time, but the
intensity of the feeling does not reach the levels of those in
an actual panic attack. They may feel chronically uneasy,
especially in the presence of other people, and tend to
startle easily. Headaches and chronic
fatigue are common among people with this form of the
disorder. Generalized anxiety disorder can begin at any age,
but the onset typically occurs in one's twenties or thirties.
Some people with chronic anxiety disorder also suffer from
occasional panic attacks. The proper nutritional
supplementation with careful diet and other changes listed
below should help reduce or prevent panic attacks and related
health problems.
Nutrient /
Supplement |
Importance
( 1 - 10 ) |
Helpful notes |
Multi-vitamin
&
Mineral supplement |
10 |
a natural good
multi-vitamin and mineral supplement will contain these and other items listed: Zinc, B vitamins, calcium,
magnesium, and potassium. A daily supplement provides nutrients required
for good general health and well being. |
Zinc |
9 |
very
often people with panic attacks are not getting enough zinc.
This mineral has a calming effect on the nervous system. A
good multi-vitamin and mineral supplement with other support
ingredients can help. |
B Vitamins |
9 |
B
vitamins are very important for the proper function of your
brain and nervous system. Supplements with natural vitamin B
can help with anxiety problems, panic attacks, and related
disorders. |
Thiamine |
9 |
vitamin
B1 helps maintain normal nervous system function |
Pyridoxine |
9 |
vitamin
B6 has a calming effect and is needed for production of
certain brain chemicals |
Calcium |
9 |
is a natural tranquilizer is best used
with magnesium |
vitamin
C |
9 |
required
for good function of adrenal glands and brain chemistry |
Ginkgo
biloba |
9 |
herb
that helps with stress and its effects on the body and mind |
Kava
kava |
9 |
herb
works to calm and relax works well with Passionflower and Kava
kava |
Chamomile |
9 |
herb
that soothes the body and helps relieve worry and stress |
Passion
Flower |
9 |
herb
that works in combination with Kava kava, aloe vera, and
chamomile (see Aloe Plus) below. |
Magnesium |
8 |
has a calming effect and works
on the nervous system of people with depression,
a magnesium and vitamin B combination works well. |
Potassium |
8 |
very important for the adrenal glands to work
good can normally be found in a good multi-vitamin mineral
supplement. |
Frankincense
resin |
8 |
helps
to calm and sooth the nerves |
Aloe
Vera |
8 |
herb
often used in stress and relaxation herbal blends that may
also serve to relieve anxiety, worry, and related
problems. |
Other Changes To Make
-
drink 6-8 glasses of steam distilled or
filtered water a day
-
eat 50% raw fruits and vegetables (organic is best)
-
nuts, seeds, and whole grains are good
-
juice is good (make your
own with a juice machine)
-
do not worry as much about calories as eating the right foods
-
carrot and celery sticks are good to use as a snack
-
a colon cleansing can be very helpful - (do several times each year)
-
do not drink coffee, alcohol, soda pop, other junk food drinks
-
do not eat processed foods white sugar, white flour, etc...
-
use stress relief like going for walks in the park
(or the 10/90 rule - see
Stress)
-
brown rice is good to eat
-
avoid red meat and animal fats
-
reduce dairy products cheese, milk, and others
-
fast a few days a month
-
get at least 8 hours of sleep
-
exercise light to moderate amounts
-
avoid artificial sweeteners like Aspartame and NutraSweet
-
do not smoke and avoid second hand smoke
-
do not skip meals - just eat better and not as much at each meal
-
do not chew gum - it can cause you to feel hungry
-
do not watch too much TV try reading a book or something else
|