Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Introduction

Anxiety is an unpleasant emotional state that may range from slight unease to intense fear. It differs from fear because while fear is a rational response to real danger, anxiety lacks a realistic cause. Anxiety is usually a symptom of severe stress. Severe anxiety produces panic attacks and an intense feeling of fear. The common symptoms of anxiety are listed below:

The Symptoms

• Stabbing pain
• Tendency to sigh
• Tendency to hyperventilate
• Feeling of tightness and inability to take in air
• Dryness in the mouth and throat
• Tension in the muscles of the back and neck
• Tension headaches
• Back pains and muscle spasms
• Excessive sweating
• Dizziness
• Constant desire to urinate
• Throbbing and twitching

Who is at Risk?

The elderly.
Other age groups, especially those suffering from other chronic disease such as adrenal exhaustion, depression.

The Causes

The common causes of anxiety and panic attacks are listed below:

• High levels of blood lactate
• Severe stress and whatever causes stress
• Hidden food allergy (food intolerance)
• Caffeine found in stimulants - coffee, tea, chocolate, and in some drugs
• Hypoglycaemia and whatever causes hypoglycaemia
• Sugar, sugary foods and refined carbohydrates
• Adrenal exhaustion
• Deficiency of the B vitamins especially niacin, pyridoxine and thiamine
• Deficiencies and imbalances of electrolytes and essential fatty acids.

Those with the above condition or any of the symptoms might like to consider **Nutritional consultation and Hidden Food Allergy testing.