Anxiety and Panic Attacks
A panic attack is a sudden, intense
experience of fear coupled with an overwhelming feeling of danger,
accompanied by physical symptoms of anxiety, such as a pounding heart,
sweating, and rapid breathing. A person with panic disorder may
experience repeated panic attacks (at least several a month) and feel
severe anxiety about having another attack.
Each year,
panic disorder affects one in every 63 Americans.
It is
two times more likely to affect women.
A Harvard study shows that people who
react to stress with intense anxiety or panic are four times more likely
to become ill than those who are able to control or relax their nerves.
Though some anxiety is normal and even healthy, higher levels of anxiety
are not only uncomfortable, but can usually lead to significant health
problems.
Panic disorder is a chronic, debilitating
condition that can have a devastating impact on a person's family, work,
and social life.
Four or more of the following symptoms
during panic attacks would indicate panic disorder:
-
pounding, skipping, or palpitating
heartbeat
-
shortness of breath or the sensation
of smothering
-
dizziness or lightheadedness
-
nausea or stomach problems
-
chest pains or pressure
-
choking sensation or a "lump in the
throat"
-
chills or hot flashes
-
sweating
-
fear of dying
-
feelings of unreality or being
detached
-
tingling or numbness
-
shaking and trembling
-
fear of losing control
A panic attack is often accompanied by the
urge to escape, together with a feeling of impending doom. Others are
convinced they are about to have a heart attack , suffocate, lose
control, or "go crazy." Once people experience one panic attack, they
tend to worry so much about having another attack that they avoid the
place or situation associated with the original episode.
Anxiety is the result of emotional and/or
physical stress encountered in our daily lives, such as the news of our
current world unrest, relationship difficulties, severe financial
problems, job demands, food or environmental allergies, hormonal
imbalances, traffic jams, pharmaceutical medications, nutrient
deficiencies (such as B vitamins or magnesium, for example), caffeine,
and elevated lactic acid levels in the blood (acidosis), which would be
caused by exposure to alcohol, caffeine, and sugar, inner toxicity
connecting with Candida-yeast overgrow or
an excess of toxic metals
as well as food allergies, etc.
A
drop in blood sugar causes extreme reactions in the nervous system,
including feelings of anxiety, confusion, and even panic attacks. The
incidence of blood sugar abnormalities is far higher than imagined, and
affects over half our population. Consumptions of refined sugars and
starches, diets deficient in EFA, and the use of stimulants such as
coffee or cola drinks, may contribute to this cause of anxiety feelings.
Miami Holistic Center offers a comprehensive non-drug complementary healing program for sufferers from panic disorder or anxiety.
Many people report feeling less
stressed after receiving
acupuncture
therapy. Acupuncturists treat people with anxiety based on an
individualized assessment of the excesses and deficiencies of "Qi"
(vital energy)
located in various meridians. In the case of anxiety, a "Qi" deficiency
is usually detected in the kidney or spleen meridians.
Stimulation of acupuncture points with needles or magnets will release
endorphins, enkephalins and other well-being hormones. These substances
are also natural pain killers that seem to reduce anxiety and
depression, promote better night sleep, alleviate neck and shoulder
pain.
Acupuncture applied to a "relaxation"
points in the ear also leads to a great reduction in anxiety and panic
attacks. In addition to performing needling techniques, we also employ
point massage, relaxation techniques as well as
herbal medicine,
nutritional supplementation
and
healing food consultation.
Our botanicals are all natural, unique,
safe and highly effective herbal medicine that will relieve the stress,
insomnia, nervous tension, anxiety, restlessness and irritability.
Many of tthese herbs have been shown to alleviate depression,
mood swings, pain, spasms and cramps, maintain mental equilibrium, relax
the body and strengthen the nervous and immune systems. It also helps
cut the cravings for sugar, coffee, tobacco, and alcohol.
To begin undergoing services at Miami Holistic Center for Panic Attacks without psych-drug, please select one of the following options:
•
Telephone consultation (786)306-8009
• Office consultation