A panic attack is a symptom of an anxiety disorder that has emotional and physical symptoms. Emotional symptoms associated with a panic attack include intense feelings of unreasonable and unexplainable fear. Physical symptoms associated with a panic attack include dizziness, a feeling of choking, feelings of faintness, clammy hands, racing heart, and severe shaking.

Millions of people each year all over the world suffer from panic attacks. The majority of these people are more likely to experience a panic attack because their bodies carry the gene for anxiety disorders. Some statistics show that a person who has a parent who has ever suffered from a panic attack is seven times more likely to also experience a panic attack than the general population.

Scientific research into the reasons for a panic attack show that a large percentage of those who are likely to experience a panic attack carry the gene dubbed DUP25.

Scientists have discovered that this panic attack gene creates proteins that play an important role in the way the nervous system cells communicate with each other. They suspect that this imbalance is what makes the brain so oversensitive that it brings on a panic attack is those that carry the gene.

That said, studies have also shown that not every single person who carries the panic attack gene DUP25 is guaranteed to suffer from a panic attack or any other anxiety disorder.

A panic attack can also be brought on for reasons other then hereditary reasons. A panic attack – or numerous, repeated panic attacks — can be brought on by a traumatic life event or drug misuse. There are statistics that show that eight percent of those who have experienced a panic attack have had one or more because of drug misuse.

Other statistics suggest that those more likely to experience a panic attack are people who suppress their emotions.

Anyone who has ever experienced a panic attack explains that it can happen anytime or anywhere. A panic attack can happen when the person is alone or with others. It can happen at home or in public. A panic attack can even happen when a person is waking up from a sound, restful sleep.

Those most likely to experience a panic attack are women in their young adult years. About half of those who experience panic attacks do so before the age of 24.

People who seek treatment of panic attacks will find relief from them within a few weeks. And although experiencing a panic attack is highly unpleasant, there are no long-term side effects once treatment has been completed and if it is maintained.

Even with treatment, it is still possible for the occasional relapse. This means that it is possible for a person to experience another panic attack or two if he or she is undergoing treatment. But possible relapses can further be reduced by adding stress-relieving activities like yoga to your daily schedule.

This article was presented by Panic Defence, the UK’s leading name in combating panic and anxiety. If you would like a <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', '/outgoing/article_exit_link']);” href=”http://www.panichandbook.com”>free download</a> with easy and effective tips to end panic, visit www.panichandbook.com now.

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 What is a Panic Attack?

A panic attack is a sudden feeling of intense fear that begins for no apparent reason and triggers severe physical reactions. You may feel frightened to leave your house or to be left alone in case something awful might happen to you. You may feel suffocated, shaking, stomach pain and muscle pain all over your body. You may thing you are losing your mind, or even dying. 

 When a Panic Attack Turns Into a Panic Disorder

After having these panic attacks the first few times, you start to be afraid of the next panic attack. You may find yourself on guard all the time, afraid of the next surprise panic attack. Just the idea of having another painful fear is paralyzing you. Who can you trust? Are you alone feeling like this? Are you going crazy? Are you dying? Panic disorder is a living hell. The good news is that you shouldn’t believe anyone that tells you that this condition can not be cured.

 What NOT TO DO to Prevent Your Next Panic Attack

Most people, in an attempt to prevent panic attacks, try to avoid situations that trigger them. Any place that makes them feel unsafe, they avoid. This is not the way to go – this only gets them occupied and even more focused on the next panic attack. This only leads to greater fear and the problem gets worse.

What causes panic attacks?

 Panic attacks are caused by many physical, mental and emotional triggers. Sometimes genetics are involved and this may surprise you – but did you know that even certain allergies and food types can trigger anxiety and panic attacks? There are also a few medications that can cause panic attacks and of course there are memories and trauma involved. Upsetting everyday events and bad memories combines can also cause panic attacks

 How to prevent your next panic attack – Be Prepared!

When you’re not in a state of anxiety or panic, make a list of things that scare you. When it’s done, write down reassuring and calming statements that relax you. The exact opposite of your fears. When the next panic attack emerges, take this list and use it immediately.  Fill your list with lots of soothing messages.
This will be very helpful to prevent panic attacks. It is very important to stop the panic attack dead in its tracks and this is an easy way to do that. 

Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Panic Attacks

* Join a support group for people with panic attacks; discover that you are far from being alone and share experiences and panic relief methods. 

* Avoid caffeine and alcohol, both of them can trigger your next panic attacks. 

* Practice relaxation techniques, like Meditation and yoga.

* Get some exercise – physical activity will lift your spirits and improve your confidence (yes! Try it out!), since aerobic activity

* Get good nights sleep — sleeping problems will exhaust you and you can get more vulnerable to panic attacks.

 #1 Natural Technique to Prevent Panic Attacks

There is an amazing simple way to prevent panic attacks permanently, but you will not hear about it from your psychiatrist, doctor or drug company. It involves cognitive therapy – easy to follow steps without using any medication.

Article by Connie Jump

The short and obvious answer: panic attacks are caused by high anxiety. But, what exactly is anxiety? Understanding how anxiety crops up will help you defeat panic attacks.

One of the biggest myths surrounding anxiety is that it is harmful and can lead to a number of various life-threatening conditions.

Definition of Anxiety

Anxiety is defined as a state of apprehension or fear resulting from the anticipation of a real or imagined threat, event, or situation. It is one of the most common human emotions experienced by people at some point in their lives.

However, most people who have never experienced a panic attack, or extreme anxiety, fail to realize the terrifying nature of the experience. Extreme dizziness, blurred vision, tingling and feelings of breathlessness–and that’s just the tip of the iceberg!

When these sensations occur and people do not understand why, they feel they have contracted an illness, or a serious mental condition. The threat of losing complete control seems very real and naturally very terrifying.

Fight/Flight Response: One of the root causes of panic attacks?

I am sure most of you have heard of the fight/flight response as an explanation for one of the root causes of panic attacks. Have you made the connection between this response and the unusual sensations you experience during and after a panic attack episode?

Anxiety is a response to a danger or threat. It is so named because all of its effects are aimed toward either fighting or fleeing from the danger. Thus, the sole purpose of anxiety is to protect the individual from harm. This may seem ironic given that you no doubt feel your anxiety is actually causing you great harm…perhaps the most significant of all the causes of panic attacks.

However, the anxiety that the fight/flight response created was vital in the daily survival of our ancient ancestors–when faced with some danger, an automatic response would take over that propelled them to take immediate action such as attack or run. Even in today’s hectic world, this is still a necessary mechanism. It comes in useful when you must respond to a real threat within a split second.

Anxiety is a built-in mechanism to protect us from danger. Interestingly, it is a mechanism that protects but does not harm–an important point that will be elaborated upon later.

The Physical Manifestations of a Panic Attack: Other pieces of the puzzle to understand the causes of panic attacks. Nervousness and Chemical Effects…

When confronted with danger, the brain sends signals to a section of the nervous system. It is this system that is responsible for gearing the body up for action and also calms the body down and restores equilibrium. To carry out these two vital functions, the autonomic nervous system has two subsections, the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system.

Although I don’t want to become too “scientific,” having a basic understanding of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system will help you understand the causes of panic attacks.

The sympathetic nervous system is the one we tend to know all too much about because it primes our body for action, readies us for the “fight or flight” response, while the parasympathetic nervous system is the one we love dearly as it serves as our restoring system, which returns the body to its normal state.

When either of these systems is activated, they stimulate the whole body, which has an “all or nothing” effect. This explains why when a panic attack occurs, the individual often feels a number of different sensations throughout the body.

The sympathetic system is responsible for releasing the adrenaline from the adrenal glands on the kidneys. These are small glands located just above the kidneys. Less known, however, is that the adrenal glands also release adrenaline, which functions as the body’s chemical messengers to keep the activity going. When a panic attack begins, it does not switch off as easily as it is turned on. There is always a period of what would seem increased or continued anxiety, as these messengers travel throughout the body. Think of them as one of the physiological causes of panic attacks, if you will.

After a period of time, the parasympathetic nervous system gets called into action. Its role is to return the body to normal functioning once the perceived danger is gone. The parasympathetic system is the system we all know and love, because it returns us to a calm relaxed state.

When we engage in a coping strategy that we have learned, for example, a relaxation technique, we are in fact willing the parasympathetic nervous system into action. A good thing to remember is that this system will be brought into action at some stage whether we will it or not. The body cannot continue in an ever-increasing spiral of anxiety. It reaches a point where it simply must kick in, relaxing the body. This is one of the many built-in protection systems our bodies have for survival.

You can do your best with worrying thoughts, keeping the sympathetic nervous system going, but eventually it stops. In time, it becomes a little smarter than us, and realizes that there really is no danger. Our bodies are incredibly intelligent–modern science is always discovering amazing patterns of intelligence that run throughout the cells of our body. Our body seems to have infinite ways of dealing with the most complicated array of functions we take for granted. Rest assured that your body’s primary goal is to keep you alive and well.

Not so convinced?

Try holding your breath for as long as you can. No matter how strong your mental will is, it can never override the will of the body. This is good news–no matter how hard you try to convince yourself that you are gong to die from a panic attack, you won’t. Your body will override that fear and search for a state of balance. There has never been a reported incident of someone dying from a panic attack.

Remember this next time you have a panic attack; he causes of panic attacks cannot do you any physical harm. Your mind may make the sensations continue longer than the body intended, but eventually everything will return to a state of balance. In fact, balance (homeostasis) is what our body continually strives for.

The interference for your body is nothing more than the sensations of doing rigorous exercise. Our body is not alarmed by these symptoms. Why should it be? It knows its own capability. It’s our thinking minds that panic, which overreact and scream in sheer terror! We tend to fear the worst and exaggerate our own sensations. A quickened heart beat becomes a heart attack. An overactive mind seems like a close shave with schizophrenia. Is it our fault? Not really–we are simply diagnosing from poor information.

Cardiovascular Effects Activity in the sympathetic nervous system increases our heartbeat rate, speeds up the blood flow throughout the body, ensures all areas are well supplied with oxygen and that waste products are removed. This happens in order to prime the body for action.

A fascinating feature of the “fight or flight” mechanism is that blood (which is channelled from areas where it is currently not needed by a tightening of the blood vessels) is brought to areas where it is urgently needed.

For example, should there be a physical attack, blood drains from the skin, fingers, and toes so that less blood is lost, and is moved to “active areas” such as the thighs and biceps to help the body prepare for action.

This is why many feel numbness and tingling during a panic attack-often misinterpreted as some serious health risk-such as the precursor to a heart attack. Interestingly, most people who suffer from anxiety often feel they have heart problems. If you are really worried that such is the case with your situation, visit your doctor and have it checked out. At least then you can put your mind at rest.

Respiratory Effects

One of the scariest effects of a panic attack is the fear of suffocating or smothering. It is very common during a panic attack to feel tightness in the chest and throat. I’m sure everyone can relate to some fear of losing control of your breathing. From personal experience, anxiety grows from the fear that your breathing itself would cease and you would be unable to recover. Can a panic attack stop our breathing? No.

A panic attack is associated with an increase in the speed and depth of breathing. This has obvious importance for the defense of the body since the tissues need to get more oxygen to prepare for action. The feelings produced by this increase in breathing, however, can include breathlessness, hyperventilation, sensations of choking or smothering, and even pains or tightness in the chest. The real problem is that these sensations are alien to us, and they feel unnatural.

Having experienced extreme panic attacks myself, I remember that on many occasions, I would have this feeling that I couldn’t trust my body to do the breathing for me, so I would have to manually take over and tell myself when to breathe in and when to breathe out. Of course, this didn’t suit my body’s requirement of oxygen and so the sensations would intensify–along with the anxiety. It was only when I employed the technique I will describe for you later, did I let the body continue doing what it does best–running the whole show.

Importantly, a side-effect of increased breathing, (especially if no actual activity occurs) is that the blood supply to the head is actually decreased. While such a decrease is only a small amount and is not at all dangerous, it produces a variety of unpleasant but harmless symptoms that include dizziness, blurred vision, confusion, sense of unreality, and hot flushes.

Other Physical Effects of Panic Attacks:

Now that we’ve discussed some of the primary physiological causes of panic attacks, there are a number of other effects that are produced by the activation of the sympathetic nervous system, none of which are in any way harmful.

For example, the pupils widen to let in more light, which may result in blurred vision, or “seeing” stars, etc. There is a decrease in salivation, resulting in dry mouth. There is decreased activity in the digestive system, which often produces nausea, a heavy feeling in the stomach, and even constipation. Finally, many of the muscle groups tense up in preparation for “fight or flight” and this results in subjective feelings of tension, sometimes extending to actual aches and pains, as well as trembling and shaking.

Overall, the fight/flight response results in a general activation of the whole bodily metabolism. Thus, one often feels hot and flushed and, because this process takes a lot of energy, the person generally feels tired and drained.

Mental Manifestations: Are the causes of panic attacks all in my head? is a question many people wonder to themselves.

The goal of the fight/flight response is making the individual aware of the potential danger that may be present. Therefore, when activated, the mental priority is placed upon searching the surroundings for potential threats. In this state one is highly-strung, so to speak. It is very difficult to concentrate on any one activity, as the mind has been trained to seek all potential threats and not to give up until the threat has been identified. As soon as the panic hits, many people look for the quick and easiest exit from their current surroundings, such as by simply leaving the bank queue and walking outside. Sometimes the anxiety can heighten, if we perceive that leaving will cause some sort of social embarrassment.

If you have a panic attack while at the workplace but feel you must press on with whatever task it is you are doing, it is quite understandable that you would find it very hard to concentrate. It is quite common to become agitated and generally restless in such a situation. Many individuals I have worked with who have suffered from panic attacks over the years indicated that artificial light–such as that which comes from computer monitors and televisions screens–can can be one of the causes of panic attacks by triggering them or worsen a panic attack, particularly if the person is feeling tired or run down.

This is worth bearing in mind if you work for long periods of time on a computer. Regular break reminders should be set up on your computer to remind you to get up from the desk and get some fresh air when possible.

In other situations, when during a panic attack an outside threat cannot normally be found, the mind turns inwards and begins to contemplate the possible illness the body or mind could be suffering from. This ranges from thinking it might have been something you ate at lunch, to the possibility of an oncoming cardiac arrest.

The burning question is: Why is the fight/flight response activated during a panic attack even when there is apparently nothing to be frightened of?

Upon closer examination of the causes of panic attacks, it would appear that what we are afraid of are the sensations themselves–we are afraid of the body losing control. These unexpected physical symptoms create the fear or panic that something is terribly wrong. Why do you experience the physical symptoms of the fight/flight response if you are not frightened to begin with? There are many ways these symptoms can manifest themselves, not just through fear.

For example, it may be that you have become generally stressed for some reason in your life, and this stress results in an increase in the production of adrenaline and other chemicals, which from time to time, would produce symptoms….and which you perceive as the causes of panic attacks.

This increased adrenaline can be maintained chemically in the body, even after the stress has long gone. Another possibility is diet, which directly affects our level of stress. Excess caffeine, alcohol, or sugar is known for causing stress in the body, and is believed to be one of the contributing factors of the causes of panic attacks (Chapter 5 gives a full discussion on diet and its importance).

Unresolved emotions are often pointed to as possible trigger of panic attacks, but it is important to point out that eliminating panic attacks from your life does not necessarily mean analyzing your psyche and digging into your subconscious. The “One Move” technique will teach you to deal with the present moment and defuse the attack along with removing the underlying anxiety that sparks the initial anxiety.

Learn more

http://www.panicportal.com

Barry McDonagh is an international panic disorder coach. His informative site on all issues related to panic and anxiety attacks can be found here: http://www.panicportal.com

About the Author

If you would love to live everyday to its fullest and never have to worry about panic disorder again go check out this website! I can not say enough about how different your life will be. Click Here!

Article by Alan Katz

Heart attack or myocardial infarction results from the death of heart tissues because of complete blockage in one of the coronary arteries. Symptoms of heart attack in women are different than those in men. Women may have some additional symptoms than discomfort and chest pain.

Most people think that heart attack symptoms are the same in men and women. But that’s not the fact. Heart attack symptoms are significantly different in women and men. First let’s known about what is a heart attack? Heart is a muscular organ that plays an important role in circulation of blood throughout the body. When one of the coronary arteries that supply blood to heart is completely blocked, it causes death of heart tissues resulting in heart attack or myocardial infarction. In most cases, coronary heart disease, arteriosclerosis, causes the blockage of coronary artery. Besides, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, heredity, age, high fat diet, stress, lack of exercise and smoking are some common causes of heart attack.

Heart Attack in Women

Heart attack is one of the main causes of death in women after breast cancer. Over-weight women with high cholesterol levels are at a higher risk of heart attack. After menopause, due to changes in hormonal levels (estrogen), women are more prone to heart attack. Obesity, stress, smoking, diabetes, high levels of LDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, inactive lifestyle and family history of coronary disease are some of the risk factors for heart attack in women. Women taking birth control pills are also more vulnerable to this disease.

Early Heart Attack Symptoms in Women

The most common symptoms of heart attack, observed in both men and women, are chest pain, discomfort or pressure in the chest, upper body pain, shortness of breath, sweating, anxiety, nausea and vomiting. However, these symptoms are more severe in men than in women. Some major symptoms that a woman may experience prior to heart attack are unusual fatigue, sleep disturbances, anxiety, indigestion and shortness of breath.

Some of the common heart attack symptoms in women are as follows: * Shortness of breath, not accompanied by chest pain * Sweating * Tightness in chest * Sudden dizziness or loss of consciousness * Feeling of heartburn or indigestion * Stomach or abdominal pain * Flu-like symptoms, cold sweats and nausea * Unexplained weakness and fatigue * Loss of appetite, general discomfort and a feeling of anxiety * Pain in neck, lower jaw, shoulder and upper back * Sense of impending doom

Weakness, shortness of breath and unusual fatigue are the three most common symptoms that are seen mostly in women before heart attack. In addition, women more typically experience nausea, lightheadedness and cold sweats. On the other hand, men more often experience severe chest pain as the major symptom of heart attack.

Understanding the early symptoms of heart attack is helpful for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. It is difficult to diagnose heart attack in women due to somewhat unrelated symptoms. That’s why it is possible that women’s heart attack remains neglected and left untreated. When women experience any of above-mentioned symptoms, they should immediately contact the doctor. As heart attack is a medical emergency, it is very important to get immediate medical treatment. Diagnosis of heart attack is done on the basis of electrocardiogram (EKG) and some laboratory investigations such as serum troponin levels and determination of cardiac enzymes such as Creatine phosphokinase, Creatine phosphokinase-MB, etc.

The treatment of heart attack focuses on immediately opening the blocked artery and restoring the blood flow to heart muscles. There are various treatment options such as anti-platelet medications, anti-coagulant medications, clot dissolving medications, coronary angiography with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, medications to reduce the need for oxygen by the heart muscles, medications to prevent abnormal heart rhythms and supplemental oxygen.

About the Author

If you truly want to learn about heart attack symptoms, go to this website now: Heart Attack Symptoms

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Article by Robert Langtry

A heart attack occurs when the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart is blocked. Unless unblocked, that part of the heart may suffer permanent damage and the person may not survive heart attack. This blockage can be caused by a plaque buildup in the coronary artery that breaks loose. Another cause is spasms of the coronary artery which restricts the flow of blood and oxygen. Stress and kidney disease are also causes. Women taking birth control pills are also at a high risk of heart attack.

Men suffer heart attack more than women and also suffer more symptoms than women. The signs of a heart attack for men include pain and pressure in the chest similar to indigestion or heartburn and achyness in one or both arms, back, neck, and jaw bone. They also experience a fast or irregular heartbeat, hard to breathe, stomach pain, coughing, vomiting, dizziness, anxiety, heavy perspiration, and even fainting. The signs of a heart attack for women include non-stop upset stomach and vomiting, difficulty breathing, sudden weak feeling, indigestion, and fainting. A silent heart attack is when a person experiences no symptoms, but tests show they did suffer a heart attack.

Upon feeling the first signs of a heart attack, an ambulance should be called instead of waiting for the symptoms to subside which could be fatal. At the hospital, the patient will be given oxygen, aspirin, nitroglycerin, and medication for the pain. The doctor will also take xrays, perform blood tests to check for heart damage, and perform an EKG to check heart rhythms.

Once a person suffers a heart attack, they are at a higher risk to suffer a second attack. The symptoms of a second attack may be completely different from the first attack. It is important to take steps to prevent a second happening of this scary and possibly fatal occurrence.

Those who are more likely to suffer a heart attack are people who smoke, have high blood pressure and high cholesterol, are overweight, do not exercise, are diabetics, and have a family history of heart problems and heart attacks. Men age 45 and over and women age 55 and over who have gone through menopause are also at high risk.

Over one million people in the United States suffer from heart attacks each year. Approximately half die or have permanent damage to their heart. The risk of heart attack can be decreased by eating healthy foods that are low in fat and salt as well as vegetables and fruits. They should also lower cholesterol and blood pressure, lose weight, become a nonsmoker, exercise, and stay active. It is also important for diabetics to control their diabetes under a doctor’s care.

It is important for people to know the warning signs of a heart attack. Living a healthy lifestyle will greatly decrease the chances of this happening. Those living an unhealthy life need to change their habits before it is too late and they don’t survive heart attack. Waiting until next week to diet, quit smoking, start exercising, and generally take care of themselves may be too late. Sometimes the potential sufferer will be given warning signs of lower scale symptoms of heart attack. They should take heed of these signs and take the necessary steps to lessen the risk of heart attack. It is possible for the person who has never had heart trouble to have a massive heart attack without warning. That is why it is important for those feeling the warning signs to do something before something is done to them that they have no control over.

About the Author

Robert has been researching the heart and its many diverse areas for the last 8 years. From heart attack to heart disease, this has now become Robert’s passion. Running the web blog MyHeartyHeart.com, Robert has released and provided some of the most influential and useful information about the heart and all things belonging to it.

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There are a number of myths about heart care and more specifically about heart attacks. We obviously want to stay clear of heart ailments so we carry with us a number of beliefs about things that we consider will either keep us safe from or make us more prone to heart attacks.  But many of these may be misguiding or downright wrong. So let us do away with the unnecessary fears and learn what will actually help our hearts.

Below are some common misconceptions that we try to clear for you:

If you are fit you are not prone to heart attacks

Most of our doctors, health magazines and elders stress on the fact that those who are overweight, eat out a lot, or do not exercise are more susceptible to heart attacks. While they are not wrong, those who are thin, do regular exercise and eat proper are not safe from heart attacks either.  This is because cholesterol depositions which are the most common cause of clogging of arteries can be present in thin people too.  Physical appearance can many times mask an underlying health problem.

Moreover heart problems and heart attacks are also genetic. So if you have a history of heart issues in your family you are likely to get it too. There are also factors like diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure that put you at a risk, no matter your weight. Gender and age also matter. So in spite of how healthy you look or feel, get a check up to ascertain your heart’s health!

It’s easy to recognize the symptoms of a heart attack

While we are pretty used to watching men, in the typical Bollywood movies, clutching their chests and falling down from what is apparently a heart attack, it needn’t come so obviously. The classic symptoms of a heart attack include a heavy feeling in the chest that may be painful. But the heaviness or pain may spread to the left arm, neck, or jaw.

Symptoms include:

Chest pain
Pressure, heaviness or tightness in the chest
Pain or pressure in the neck or jaw
Pain or pressure in one or both arms (especially the left)
Shortness of breath
Sweating
Nausea
Pain or throbbing between the shoulder blades

Many people suffer from heart attacks but assume it is only a heartburn or fatigue. When it comes to your heart, it’s important to consult a doctor rather than to self diagnose!

No chest pain means no heart attack

Most of us believe that if we were having a heart attack, it would involve having a chest pain. But as mentioned above recognizing a heart attack isn’t that easy. The classic signs include chest pain but it needn’t really cause chest pain. According to CNN, 40 to 60 percent of all heart attacks are unrecognized by their victims. If you’re having some sort of unusual discomfort in your back, chest or upper arms, whether or not it is in the middle of your back or the middle of your chest, don’t wait until your heart stops; go to a hospital and get a check up done.

Women do not suffer from heart attacks

Since womenin movies do not clutch at their hearts and collapse to the floor it is assumed that women do not suffer from heart attacks. True, women are less prone to heart attacks before menopause due to the presence of estrogen, which protects them from heart attacks, but post menopause women are just as prone to heart attacks as men are.  In fact, probably more.

According to statistics: [courtesy Women's Heart Foundation]

Worldwide, 8.6 million women die from heart diseases each year (including heart attacks), accounting for a third of all deaths in women.
Women are twice as likely as men to die within the first few weeks after suffering a heart attack.
38% of women and 25% of men die within one year of a first recognized heart attack.

Women have the same symptoms as men have for a heart attack

Women do not usually experience the commonly expected chest pain as men do when they suffer from heart attacks. 71% of women experience early warning signs of heart attack with sudden onset of extreme weakness that feels like the flu – often with no chest pain at all. Nearly two-thirds of the deaths from heart attacks in women occur among those who have no history of chest pain at all. Even if they do experience mild chest discomfort they simply do not perceive it to be a heart attack like men do. So they must get any abnormal pain checked up.

Here are some of the symptoms of female heart attack:

Shortness of breath
Weakness
Unusual fatigue
Nausea
Dizziness
Abdominal discomfort that may seem like indigestion

Medical professionals are challenged to respond to women’s milder symptoms, due to insufficient information.

If you have chest pain wait and see if it goes away

If you have a pain in your chest, you definitely must not sit around and wait to see if it goes away. If you’re having significant chest discomfort, shortness of breath, or any other symptoms that suggest a heart attack, call a hospital or any clinic’s emergency number. If you delay treatment when you are having a heart attack you could cause irreparable damage to your heart and it could also prove to be fatal.

You cannot die simply out of fear or severe emotions

It is possible to die of fright, or for that matter grief, anger, joy, or just about any other intense emotion. Though usually victims are older and likely to be in unstable health conditions, even younger people could be so affected. It is possible for a terrifying event to trigger a fatal heart attack.

Multiple scientific studies show that important mind and body connections exist for health in general and cardiovascular health in particular. Your levels of stress and wellbeing are extremely important for your cardiovascular health. Higher stress levels or negative emotions like anger or depression could burden your heart pumping due to release of certain hormones in our blood stream like adrenalin. You should therefore look for ways and means to reduce stress and negative emotions in your lives.

If you are young you will have no heart problems

Though predominantly those who are older are more prone to having a heart attack, it is possible to start developing coronary artery disease as a teenager. People in their 20s and 30s have suffered from heart attacks. A heart-healthy lifestyle needs to begin in the childhood, so that kids don’t develop bad habits that they carry to adulthood. Parents should encourage their kids to exercise, limit time spent in front of the television or computer screen, and partake healthy, well-balanced meals.

Children, who are obese, have high blood pressure or a family history of heart disease are at a higher risk. Also, although rare, some children (usually due to genetic differences) can have unusually high cholesterol and thus an increased risk for heart disease.

Another problem today is the kind of lifestyle that we live. Especially the young working population today lives an unbalanced life with no exercise, a lot of junk food and high stress levels. Not to mention overexposure to technology implements that is proving to harm our lives. For this populatonis it especially necessary to have regular checkups and a conscious effort to maintain a well balanced life. To know more about 10 Myths About Heart Attacks Debunked!

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With more and more people every year suffering from some form of anxiety disorder, getting a prescription for one of the many anxiety medications that are out there can mean the all the difference for many of them. But regardless of the specific medications used, there are some things you should take into account both before and during treatment.

1. Talk to Your Doctor

The first step is to go and talk to your doctor. He will likely have many questions to ask you as part of his diagnostic procedure. If he does diagnose you with an anxiety disorder, there are some things you should discuss before the prescription is written. If improperly prescribed or used, anxiety medications can be dangerous. Some things you should be sure and talk to your doctor about include:

Full medical history: Your doctor should have a copy of your full medical history. If not, be sure and discuss anything that you have been diagnosed with or prescribed already. Your family medical history and any medical conditions you have should also be brought up; certain anxiety medications can be dangerous to people with, say, a heart condition or predisposition towards one.

Any medications you are currently on: Provide a full list of everything you are taking to your doctor. Some anxiety medications can produce an adverse reaction in combination with other medications.

Addiction issues: Be sure and tell your doctor if you have had trouble with addictions in the past. While this will not preclude you from taking anxiety medications, it lets your doctor know that the course of treatment should be more closely monitored for signs of dependency.

2. Things To Keep In Mind During Treatment

Anxiety medications are fantastic for alleviating the symptoms of your anxiety disorder. But the for the medication to have the most effect, there are some things to keep in mind.

Take medication as prescribed: This is extremely important. Some anxiety medications are cyclic drugs, which means they take time to start working. Do not stop taking the medication because it doesn’t appear to be working, and don’t take more than prescribed in an attempt to cause an effect. Follow the dosage amounts carefully, and pay attention to any special instructions, such as “only with food” or “2 hours before eating”.

Report any side effects: If you experience any side effects, tell your doctor immediately. Some anxiety medications can cause serious side effects in some people. In some cases, emergency medical treatment may be required (such as a previously unknown allergic reaction).

Discuss any new medications: Make sure that the prescribing doctor knows about any new medications that you are using. This includes herbal supplements and over-the-counter medications. It is better to be safe than sorry when mixing medicines.

When properly used, anxiety medications can provide the help a person needs to get through their anxiety disorder and on the road to recovery. But improperly using or abusing your anxiety medication can cause serious problems, and may worsen your condition in the long run. So follow directions, and keep in touch with your doctor.

Anxiety medications used in pregnancy are often antidepressants, as they have the least amount of complications that could occur for the pregnancy and newborn. Understand the risks of taking any medication during pregnancy with information from a licensed mental health counselor in this free video on anxiety. Expert: David Thomas Contact: www.WTGTampa.com Bio: Dr. David Thomas has been certified as a licensed mental health counselor in the state of Florida since 1986 and the National Board of Certified Counselors since 1987. Filmmaker: Christopher Rokosz
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Have you become addicted to your anxiety medication?

Do you feel you can’t function without them?

If you are starting to feel as if you are too dependent on your anxiety medication then it’s time to take an honest self-examination. Letting go of your anti-anxiety medication is not an easy prospect. But if you’ve been thinking about it, chances are, you may be ready.

If you are thinking or would like to learn how you can possibly live a life without anxiety medication then this article is for you. It will outline some practical steps you can do with the assistance of your doctor to break free from anxiety medication.

Anti-anxiety medication, in theory, is meant to be an aid, not a part of life. In this day and age, we often “toss a pill” at a problem without ever examining more natural, long-lasting solutions. Often years go by and our reliance becomes more firmly entrenched, making it more difficult to let go when we need to.

If you’re reading this article, you may be looking into the permanency of your medication, which is a good sign. Questions may start to surface: can I handle life after meds? What will I do if you feel an anxiety attack coming on? Will I have withdrawal symptoms? Will I sleep as well? What if I revert back to my old state or possibly feel even worse than before?

First of all, there is life after meds! Sometimes a richer, fuller life than you thought possible, aided by the groundwork you created when learning to manage your anxiety.

And fortunately, there are some very smart, logical steps to wean you off your anti-anxiety medication in a healthy and sane manner:

1. Create a game plan with your doctor

There are steps involved when you discontinue taking anti-anxiety medication. A “cold turkey” approach could seriously compromise your physical and mental well-being. It is strongly not advised!

Tapering off medication is dose dependent and each one has specific guidelines to follow, some of which require up to six months to phase out. Consult with your doctor and strategize.

It’s also helpful to know that a professional is aiding in this process and you’re not going it alone. Remember, your physician is a resource – use him or her for that purpose.

2. Anti-anxiety techniques – how far have you progressed?

How well have you developed alternate anti-anxiety techniques? Techniques such as therapy, meditation, creative expression, exercise and diet need to be explored and maximized before you decide to discontinue your anti-anxiety medication. It’s imperative to have a practice in place to fall back on during “trigger” times, whether it’s deep breathing, prayer, herbal supplements or vigorous exercise.

Just like any other skill, these techniques have to be practiced and sharpened. If you’re interested in discontinuing your anti-anxiety medication, the first step is practicing those techniques on a daily basis, so you’re ready during the tapering off period. Consider it like training for a marathon. You wouldn’t expect to run the full distance without preparing, would you?

3. Self-acceptance is key

So you’ve consulted with your physician and genuinely feel your other anti-anxiety techniques are firmly in place. It’s time for the process to begin.

It’s important to realize that you may experience many different kinds of sensations and feelings during this time period. Radical self-acceptance is key. It’s equally important to remind yourself that the discomfort you may experience is not permanent; the brain has a wonderful ability to balance out, when given time.

If you feel a bout of acute anxiety, it is okay to require medication. Self-allowance is key and feeling like a failure, unnecessary. It’s a process, with ups and downs.

And again, remember, your doctor is a resource. Its imperative you feel comfortable enough to call or visit him or her if you’re in serious distress. In addition, you may want to tell close friends and family that you’re discontinuing your medication and you’d like their assistance in whatever way possible.

Discontinuing anti-anxiety medication can seem like a daunting process. In the same breath, if you’ve practiced alternate skills to manage your anxiety, you may feel a genuine sense of relief in knowing that you’ve accomplished your goals and can now manage your anxiety without the aid of medication. Many people report feeling fully themselves again and surprised at how far they’ve come.

This is how I believe you may be able to get rid of the feeling of anxiety without medication, overeating or doing anything that will have negative side effects. This is just a theory, so you can tell me what you think..
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Anxiety medications are prescribed to anxiety sufferers to relieve anxiety and depression. There are several commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medications that help sufferers control their anxiety.

Many people have experienced anxiety at some points in their lives. I have and I’m sure most of you have. It keeps us alert and helps us deal with any stressful events that we may encounter. Anxiety can sometimes interfere with our daily life activities.

If we worry, we often can’t concentrate on the things we do, but if we look on the bright side of anxiety, where it can help us handle a situation, I must say that it can be used to our advantage, as well.

For example, in an exam, because of fear of not getting the score you aimed, you tend to give your best shot and the result could be higher than you expect. That happens to me, too. And I can tell you, anxiety sometimes can be of big help.

How we all wish anxiety gives us all the best it can do to us rather than the worst. Unfortunately, it’s not the way anxiety works. If anxiety attacks we wish there could be ways to stop it for anxiety really does affect your mood, work, and practically your daily life routine. Otherwise, people suffering from anxiety are usually left immobilized; unable to perform effectively on you regular daily routine.

Anxiety can be treated by medication or by psychotherapy. It is said that psychotherapy can be the most effective treatment for anxiety. But, anxiety medications, such as anti-depressants may be added if needed be. Anxiety medications help relax and calm the anxious person and can remove the troubling symptoms that come with anxiety.

There are several anti-anxiety medications that are available today. The preferred are Benzodiazepines such as Valium, Xanax, and Ativan. Aside from the Benzodiazepines, other medications, like Buspirone, Beta-blockers, and Gabapentin are sometimes also taken to treat anxiety.

Antidepressants are also effective for anxiety attacks and some other phobias are frequently prescribed for these conditions. They are also seldom used for generalized forms of anxiety, especially if anxiety is accompanied by depression.

Aside from Benzodiazepines, among the other anxiety medications are Buspirone, Tricylic, Antidepressants, or SSRIs, are also the preferred medications for most anxiety disorders, rarely for specific reasons. One of the following medications maybe prescribed: Antipsychotic medications, Antihistamines, like Atarax, Vistaril, and others; Barbiturates, such as Phenobarbital, and Beta-blockers, like Propranolol.

All of these anti anxiety medications help relieve anxiety and depression and must be prescribed by health professionals for there are medications that might not good for you. For example, Benzodiazepines are usually not prescribed to people having social anxiety condition with substance problems.

If your anxiety only occurs on certain occasions Seredyn is good for you. Seredyn has natural ingredients and provide long lasting relief. It promotes relaxation, reduces worry, and relieves irritability and tension. Seredyn can also be taken everyday for chronic anxiety or as needed for occasional anxiety or panic attacks.

When it comes to anxiety medications, make it a point to ask your doctor what is necessary and safe for you to take. Not all anxiety medications works on your specific anxiety condition.

Panic Disorder – Stories of Hope / Documentary Video; National Institutes of Health; National Institute of Mental Health; Panic Disorder: Stories of Hope AVA19710VNB1 – 1994; This 19-minute video documentary panic disorder, a serious yet often misunderstood mental illness, is useful for presentations at public and professional seminars and meetings. Introduced by TV personality Willard Scott, who himself has recovered from panic disorder. Producer: National Institutes of Health; Panic Disorder. What is Panic Disorder?; Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder and is characterized by unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms that may include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, or abdominal distress. Signs & Symptoms: People with panic disorder have feelings of terror that strike suddenly and repeatedly with no warning. During a panic attack, most likely your heart will pound and you may feel sweaty, weak, faint, or dizzy. Your hands may tingle or feel numb, and you might feel flushed or chilled. You may have nausea, chest pain or smothering sensations, a sense of unreality, or fear of impending doom or loss of control. More about Signs & Symptoms: Treatment: Effective treatments for panic disorder are available, and research is yielding new, improved therapies that can help most people with panic disorder and other anxiety disorders lead productive, fulfilling lives. Panic Disorder is a serious condition that …
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Related Anxiety Medication Articles

How Anxiety Disorder Can Affect in Daily Life

Anxiety disorder is a relative term that covers the pathological and abnormal fear. It is often combined with mental health disorders. Anxiety disorders are anxious that most of the time without any apparent reason affecting their daily routine and disrupt his life. Worry, you can be so uncomfortable at times that the occasional bouts of anxiety that can immobilize and terrorize you.

What causes anxiety disorder?

Anxiety disorders are often related to mental health and factors such as family history, abnormal brain functioning and environmental stresses. It usually affects childhood, adolescence, but can begin in adulthood as well.

Genetic factors – anxiety disorder is associated with family history and can be transmitted in families due to genetic factors.

Environmental stress – such as trauma, the sudden death of unemployment and divorce tragic event or sudden withdrawal of addictive substances like alcohol and drugs can lead to anxiety.

Brain chemistry, abnormal levels of neurotransmitters in the brain associated with anxiety disorders. Abnormal levels alter the way the brain to react in a specific situation which leads to anxiety.

Types of anxiety disorders

Panic disorder refers to a sudden fear of a strike or an attack at any time. People with this kind of anxiety can predict when an attack will occur or develop an intense preoccupation between episodes, worrying when the next will occur. Panic attacks are associated with a person”s mental health that involves changes in behavior, attitude persistent worrying, losing control, and madness.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder refers to the persistence of unwanted negative thoughts and compulsive behavior difficult to stop and control

Posttraumatic stress disorder occurs after experiencing or witnessing traumatic death, an event, assault, sexual abuse, accidents or human disasters caused nightmares. Family members of victims can also get affected by this type of anxiety.

The phobia is characterized into two types.
Social phobia where people have an overwhelming fear being studied embarrassed and humiliated in social activities that lead to potential avoidance of such activities. Specific phobia is where people have an irrational fear of a specific object and situation. There are a lot of anxieties when exposed to the object or situation.

Symptoms of anxiety disorder

The most common mental health disorder is anxiety disorder. Although anxiety disorder is related to what the person thinks they have physical symptoms.

? Excessive ongoing worry or fear
? Restlessness
? Muscle tension
? Insomnia
? Nausea
? Sweating and palpitations
? Irritability
? Unrealistic view of problems
? Tiredness
? Difficulty concentrating

The anxiety, worry can cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, vocational and other operating.

What is the diagnosis of anxiety disorders?

There are no laboratory tests to diagnose anxiety disorders. However, it can be evaluated after six months. Depending on the intensity and duration of symptoms of physical illness, the doctor identifies the degree of dysfunction of specific anxiety disorder. However, the symptoms must interfere with your daily routine, skipping school, leaving out meals, etc.

What is the treatment of anxiety disorder?

The treatment of anxiety disorders is based on psychiatric treatments and medications. However, the therapies may help combat anxiety disorders under the guidance of a therapist and promote good mental health. Therapies uncover the causes of anxiety and replace with the more positive thoughts, expose you to fears and situations to overcome them. Although it will take a long time, prove to be useful.

Tips for overcoming anxiety:

? Understanding the problem of anxiety
? Decrease your vulnerability by cultivating connections with people. Join social groups and enhance friend circle, which will give you less time for loneliness and isolation.
? Adopt healthy lifestyle by involving yourself in physical activity. This reduces stress and tension. Avoid alcohol, drugs, caffeine and nicotine.
? Take time to enjoy and relax. Not loaded him self with the responsibilities. Avoid people that cause anxiety.

Anxiety affects mental health, undermining all his physical and emotional energy Acknowledging their fears and concerns and adopting a positive perspective and emotional balance plays a vital role in combating anxiety.
Seomul Evans is with Dallas Marketing Services consulting for CallMD, an informational Medical resource site specializing in: Mental Health and free Anxiety Health Treatment articles.