Clinical Definition of Panic Attacks

 

 

I woke up this morning with my face sort of numb and not feeling well and sort of feeling uncoordinated. I found my thoughts also not as clear as usual. However, earlier this week my wife was telling me I was talking in my sleep and complaining about the constant pain she is in in regard to her knee for the last 6 months or so. She has decided through doctors to get a knee replacement. So, that part of it likely will be taken care of in the next 6 month or so. However, there are other issues I'm facing as well as this. However, I thought my research into the subject my be helpful to other people as well so I'm putting it here. 

 

It might be important to note that unexpected life changes are a major cause of Panic Attacks. For example, when my ex-wife and I were in the process of breaking up over time after being together for 14 years and raising 4 children together I had a my first bad panic attack which mimicked a heart attack in 1993.

 

What I'm dealing with now is more mild but is affecting me over a period of weeks which is different because the last one was very specific and only on one night over a period of about 5 to 6 hours which mimicked a heart attack where I couldn't walk, talk or think very clearly and could only crawl along the floor and get into the bathtub to calm myself enough to stay alive.

 

So, hopefully, this will be helpful to you.

note: also another thing I might be dealing with is in the change from Spironolactone to Eplerenone as a daily diuretic medicine prescribed by my heart specialist. So, this could also be partly from a change of the diuretic medicine I'm taking also as my body adjusts to this new but similar diuretic  medicine.

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Panic Attacks

Panic disorder, anxiety

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Panic Attacks Symptoms

Symptoms you chose

• Numbness or tingling
• Anxiety
• Giddiness
• Irregular heartbeat
• Palpitations (fluttering in chest)
• Shortness of breath
• Excessive sweating
• Trembling
• Sense of impending doom
• Pounding heart (pulse)
• Stomach cramps

• Pain or discomfort
• Dizziness
• Hot flashes
• Nausea or vomiting
• Rapid heart rate (pulse)
• Difficulty swallowing
• Throat tightness
• Flushed skin
• Hyperventilating (rapid/deep breathing)
• Fearful

Panic Attacks Overview

When someone has a panic attack, that person feels a sudden, intense fear that can't be controlled. People who have panic attacks often feel like they are having a heart attack, losing control, suffocating, or dying. During the panic attack, the person also may have chest pain, nausea, shortness of breath, chills, sweating, dizziness, or a feeling of choking. Doctors don't know for certain what causes panic attacks, but it may have to do with genetics or stress.
Go to the Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder Topic Overview

What to Expect

Panic attacks usually start suddenly. They can happen at any time and for no apparent reason. The symptoms usually feel most severe after about 10 to 20 minutes and then go away within an hour. During the panic attack, you may feel as if you are going to die. Afterwards you may feel very tired. You can have just one panic attack or have more. If you have panic attacks on a regular basis, you may have a condition called panic disorder. In most cases, panic attacks and panic disorder are treated with medication and therapy.

How Common

About 5% of people will have a panic attack at some point in their life.

Risk Factors

Stressful or traumatic event, family history of panic attacks, major life changes, history of sexual abuse or child abuse
Learn What Increases Your Risk of Having Panic Attacks
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Here are some other things that could be the cause of numbness in the face:

Numbness or tingling (Face), Numbness or tingling (Fingers), Ringing in ears and Sensitive to noise

WebMD Symptom Checker helps you find the most common medical conditions indicated by the symptoms numbness or tingling (face), numbness or tingling (fingers), ringing in ears and sensitive to noise including Peripheral neuropathy, Carpal tunnel syndrome, and Migraine headache (adult).
There are 34 conditions associated with numbness or tingling (face), numbness or tingling (fingers), ringing in ears and sensitive to noise. The links below will provide you with more detailed information on these medical conditions from the WebMD Symptom Checker and help provide a better understanding of causes and treatment of these related conditions.

• Peripheral neuropathyPeripheral neuropathy is a nerve condition of the extremities causing numbness, tingling, and pain.
  
• Carpal tunnel syndromeCarpal tunnel syndrome symptoms include burning or tingling in the hand and fingers, numbness, pain and more.
  
• Migraine headache (adult)Migraines are a common type of headache that can cause severe pain, aura or flashes in vision, and tingling.
  
• Generalized anxiety disorderGeneralized anxiety disorder is a condition in which a person has nearly constant anxiety.
  
• StrokeA stroke occurs when blood and oxygen to the brain are cut off, and causes numbness, confusion, and more.
  
• Transient ischemic attack (mini-stroke)Transient ischemic attacks cause headache, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, and more.
  
• Vitamin B12 deficiencyVitamin B12 deficiency symptoms include fatigue, pale skin, weakness, sleepiness, numbness, weakness, and more.
  
• TinnitusTinnitus is a ringing, buzzing, clicking, hissing, or roaring sound in the ears.
  
• Aspirin poisoningAspirin poisoning is a medical emergency and can cause nausea, vomiting, drowsiness and more.
  
• Panic attackWhen someone has a panic attack, that person feels a sudden, intense fear that can't be controlled.
  
• Exposure to loud noiseSymptoms include ringing in the ears (tinnitus), pressure or fullness in the ears.
  
• Median nerve injuryThe median nerve, which runs through the arm and hand, can cause swelling pain and numbness if injured.
  
• Ulnar nerve injuryDamage to the ulnar nerve causes swelling, pain and numbness in the forearm, hand, and ring and little fingers.
  
• Meniere's diseaseMeniere's disease is a chronic inner ear condition that causes vertigo or extreme dizziness, and more.
  
• HyperventilationHyperventilation is rapid or shallow breathing usually caused by stress or anxiety.
  
• Chemical burnsA chemical burn can cause symptoms ranging from burning and blisters to pain and shortness of breath.
  
• Burn (heat or fire)Burns caused by heat are called thermal burns and can cause pain swelling, skin changes, blisters and more.
  
• Cold exposureCold exposure symptoms include color changes on the skin, numbness, stinging, redness, blisters, and more.
  
• Multiple sclerosisMultiple sclerosis is a disease of the nervous system causing difficulties with balance, speech, and movement.
  
• SclerodermaScleroderma is an uncommon immune disorder that causes collagen to build up in the tissue, making it harden.
  
• TetanyTetany is a mineral imbalance causing painful muscle cramps and twitches in the hands, feet, face, and larynx.
  
• Wernicke syndromeWernicke's encephalopathy can cause confusion, lack of muscle coordination, and vision problems.
  
• HyperacusisHyperacusis is a rare condition that occurs when ordinary sounds cause discomfort or pain to the ears.
  
• Diabetic neuropathyDiabetic neuropathy is a nerve condition of the extremities causing numbness, tingling, and pain.
  
• Asperger syndromeAsperger syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder often associated with social and communication difficulties.
  
• AutismAutism represents a range of neurological disorders that cause social and behavioral problems.
  
• LabyrinthitisLabyrinthitis, an infection and swelling in the inner ear, and may cause vertigo or hearing loss.
  
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)Low blood sugar, or low glucose levels, causes shakiness, anxiety, clammy skin, irritability, hunger, and more.
  
• Cervical (neck) spinal stenosisCervical spinal stenosis is a spinal condition causing pain, weakness, or numbness in the arms, legs, or neck.
  
• Cervical (neck) spondylosisCervical spondylosis is arthritis of the neck pain and stiffness the neck, shoulder, arm, or chest.
  
• FrostbiteFrostbite happens when the skin and the tissue freezes, causing pins and needles, numbness, and pain.
  
• Migraine headache (children)Migraines are a common type of headache that can cause severe pain, aura or flashes in vision, and tingling.
  
• CREST syndromeCREST syndrome is a rare autoimmune disease that causes tissues to harden throughout the body.
  
• West nile virusWest Nile virus is an infection spread by mosquitoes, and can cause diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, and more.
  

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