By Zuko Komisa
In this fast-paced world, your health should be your highest priority. Though it varies from person to person, panic attacks can commonly catch up to anyone. They are also very hard to predict as in most cases people that get them, merely because of the fear of getting panic attacks – or simply by thinking about your panic attacks.
Panic attacks can be caused by exercise, dehydration, and in most cases by nothing at all. You are more likely to have a panic attack when you have excessive stress, its also been found that you can also get panic attacks for no reason.
Panic Attacks are usually triggered by the following:
Trouble taking a deep breath
Oversensitivity to physical sensations
Health fears
Chest pains
Lightheadedness
Heart palpitations (rapid heartbeat that you can feel)
Anxiety Attack vs Panic Attack
There tends to be a confusion between the two. Both, to an outsider looking in, are very similar. However an anxiety attack has a few key characteristics associated with anxiety and being fearful, nervous, being panicky, elevated heart-rate and running out of breath, this happens briefly and disappears when the causes for the anxiety attack pass.
Panic attacks happen when one is unprovoked and are highly unpredictable. Common symptoms that you go through include heart palpitations, feeling like you are choking, dizziness also known as vertigo, sweating or chills and trembling. It’s important that you are aware of what you need to do when you find yourself going through a panic attack. The golden rule is to breathe. It’s that simple. Lengthen your exhaling, to relax. Lengthen your inhaling, to stimulate yourself. It also helps to focus on completely clearing your mind when this happens.
Consider foods that make you happy when going through this experience. To boost your mood, consider adding the following to your diet:
Chocolate
Folate and other B vitamins
Low-glycemic foods
Magnesium
Omega-3 fatty acids
Tryptophan
Panic Attacks should not take over your life, follow the above advice and consult with your GP to ensure you are ready should a panic attack show up.
