A condition of sudden attack of acute unease, characterized by rising physiological arousal, rapid heart pulsation, acute trembling and irrepressible fear is referred to as a panic attack. Thus, there is a requirement of panic attack relief.

Nowadays, these reliefs are the need of hour by some persons. The major contribution towards the increment in the number of peoples suffering from these kinds of attacks is by the stressful life we live. In fact, these attacks can strike a person at any time and at the most unlikely place, without any clear triggers. In most of the cases, these attacks have other disorders associated with them, as well. Eventually, these attacks can ruin one’s professional and personal life. Hence, it is better to get out of such situation at the earliest possible.

However, medication is a procedure that consumes a lot of time and when one is suffering from such an attack; it is not likely that they would consider the probability of such long-term remedies. At such a critical point, one is supposed to have immediate treatment as their primary worry for the panic attack relief. There are a number of ways to have some relief in such a condition. Some of these are:-

1. The best method is to diversify one’s focus to some of the happy incidents and/or the flashback of life, which can provide positive boost. When one starts to think about something different, the brain shifts its center of attention from the apparent threat, to the positive phases of life, which eventually helps in having relief. Although it is quite a hard task, to have happy memories, when one is going through a session of panic attack. However, as it is said will power is the strongest power in the world, so, when one tries hard enough, they realize that it was not all that difficult task. In fact, it is the probably the best method to handle such circumstances. However, it requires immense effort and proper guidance to act like this.

2. Another way can be to have a short walk. As these attacks are characterized by an increased amount of adrenaline in the body, one can engage himself/herself in a bit of exercise or short walks. Apart from the fact that they burn excess adrenaline, they also help in diverting one’s attention. Moreover, it is the easiest way to tackle such a situation.

3. Another way, which can give some kind of relief, is breathing into a paper bag. However, it should be done in an extremely careful manner and should not be done in an excess manner as it may prove to be harmful in overdone.

The above solutions are just mere guidelines for the solution of such attacks. Apart from these, there are a number of ways through which such a situation can be controlled. When control and prevention are not working, these things will work for a person in his/her search for relief from panic attack. The extent, to which a particular method will be effective, differs from person to person. The proper method for a person can be found by proper research.

Anxiety sufferers utilize up to a third of every dollar spent on heath care in the United States, with doctor visits money value of nearly $22 billion a year. Anxiety disorder or commonely known as panic attack doesn’t just dissappear overnight. it happens to a person when that someone had a very stressful and frighful event that has scarred that person for life. So anything which might related to the frightful event will triggered the only memory cells which will sparks the anxiety. Panic attack are just as disabling as any physical ailment, but failing to see a specialist might lead to depression and suicide attempts.

Anxiety is a psychological and physiological state characterized by cognitive, somatic, emotional, and behavioral components. These components combine to create an unpleasant feeling that is typically associated with uneasiness, fear, or worry. The body then reacts to these thoughts by creating physical tension and significant discomfort.

When the body is faced with immediate danger, the brain orders the autonomic nervous system to activate the ‘flight-or-fight’ response. The body is flooded with a range of chemicals, including adrenaline, that trigger physiological changes. For example, heart rate and breathing are accelerated and blood is shifted to the muscles to prepare for physical combat or running away.

A panic attack is said to occur when the ‘flight-or-fight’ response is triggered but there is no imminent danger. A person may experience the symptoms of a panic attack in harmless and apparently stress-free situations, such as watching television or while asleep.

Some of the factors that can prime the body to inappropriately activate the ‘flight-or-fight’ response include:

• Chronic (ongoing) stress – this causes the body to produce higher than usual levels of stress chemicals such as adrenaline.
• Acute stress (such as experiencing a traumatic event) – can suddenly flood the body with large amounts of stress chemicals.
• Habitual hyperventilation – disturbs the balance of blood gases because there is not enough carbon dioxide in the blood.
• Intense physical exercise – for some people, this may cause extreme reactions.
• Excessive caffeine intake – the caffeine in coffee, tea and other beverages is a strong stimulant.
• Illness – may cause physical changes.
• A sudden change of environment – such as walking into an overcrowded, hot or stuffy environment.

Long term and short term drugs side effect

Doctors normally will prescribe a fix which is called Valium or Benzodiazepines. These drugs are used to combat anxiety and to induced calmess to the users. These drugs if taken will also caused drowsiness, slurred speech and also dizziness.

Using these drugs in a prolong time will caused the users to potentially noxious side effects such as cognitive impairment, dependance, habituation or neurological disorders. Other long term side effects include hepatitis, dermatitis, low white blood cell count, amnesia, paradoxical excitation, changes in vision, hearing alterations, breathing problems, hypertension, low blood pressure, fast or slow heart beat, palpitations and headaches.

How does Benzodiazepines work?

Benzodiazepines such as Valium operate widely in the brain, affecting emotional reactions, memory, thinking, control of consciousness, muscle tone and coordination and act by enhancing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid which is known as GABA in your brain.

The benzodiazepines enhance the action of the neurotransmitter, GABA(Gamma Amino Butyric Acid). Neurotransmitters are chemicals which enable the brain cells to transmit impulses from one to another. They are released from brain cells by electrical signals. Once released, the neurotransmitters signal inhibition or excitation of neighboring brain cells.

GABA is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter. The function of GABA is to slow or calm things down. Benzodiazepines increase the efficiency of GABA, thus causing greater inhibition or calming.

Exercise & Yoga

If you’re already exercising, good for you! If not, then start exercising daily which will help to reduce the stress hormones in the body, that can trigger sudden panic attacks.

Yoga, which is an ancient form of exercise is an excellent way to relieve anxiety/panic and muscle tension. Yoga will help the person to slown down and focus on the moment instead of stressing about all the things to be done.

Below are some example of exercise which can be completed if you’re a very busy person

• 30 minute walk with friends
• 10 minutes of resistance machines
• 20 minutes of swim followed by stretches
• household and gardening chores (yes it’s a form of exercise)
• 30 minutes bike ride
• 30 minute walks on indoor treadmill

STOP drinking caffeinated beverages!

One essential nutrient is magnesium. It is essential because without adequate supply of it your body can’t function properly. Low intake of magnesium is strongly linked to depression, anxiety and panic.

When you experience anxiety there is a series of reactions in your body: hormones adrenaline and cortisol get pumped into your bood stream, your heart begins pumping faster, blood is drawn away from the stomach to muscles, the liver releases energy. All these reactions deplete levels of magnesium.

As magnesium levels become lower, your body becomes even more stressed, which causes more anxiety, which leads to more magnesium depletion, and so on. The self-perpetuating cycle gradually gets worse and worse and can be one of the causes behind constant background feelings of worry and anxiety, and panic attacks. The only way to break this cycle is to increase magnesium intake.

The first obvious step is to increase magnesium via diet, by eating more magnesium rich foods: almonds, walnuts, cashews, spinach, oatmeal, most beans, bananas, lentils and avocados.

300 – 400mg of magnesium is a good starting point. Divide the doses into two and take at separate times of the day, for example, 150mg in the morning and 150mg in the evening. Most multi-vitamins contain only very small amounts of magnesium and usually in the form of magnesium oxide which is very hard to absorb. Instead stick with magnesium citrate, magnesium taurate or magnesium glycinate which are much better absorbed.

Precautions: People on certain antibiotics shouldn’t take magnesium. Magnesium inhibits absorption of tetracyclines, ciprofloxacin, vancomycin, isoniazid, chlorpromazine, trimethoprim, nitrofurantoin and sodium fluoride. Take these medications two to three hours before or after magnesium. As always this information is for educational purposes only. Please consult your doctor before taking any medical steps.

For a few people magnesium supplementation will have a significant effect on their anxiety or panic. But remember it’s not a magic bullet, for most people it’s just another piece of the anxiety puzzle.

Calcium. Calcium promotes relaxation by alleviating tension and irritability. As such, it’s helpful for anxiety and depression.

Consider using St. John’s Wort, another herbal remedy for panic attack but under the recommendations of a professional.

Gingko Biloba. Ginkgo is a potent antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals. In addition, this herb is well renowned for its ability to enhance circulation, especially to the brain. It has been shown to promote mental clarity and concentration as well as increase alertness and short-term memory. Moreover, combined with ginger, gingko has also been shown to reduce stress induced anxiety and it may also be beneficial for depression as well.

The B complex vitamins. The B complex vitamins play a major role in the normal functioning of the brain and the nervous system. As such, the B vitamins help to promote healthy nervous system and healthy brain function. Needless to say, these vitamins are very important for anxiety and depression.

Chamomile. Chamomile holds a boastful reputation for its tranquilizing effects. It is often used for anxiety insomnia, indigestion, nausea and others.

Gingko Biloba. Ginkgo is a potent antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals. In addition, this herb is well renowned for its ability to enhance circulation, especially to the brain. It has been shown to promote mental clarity and concentration as well as increase alertness and short-term memory. Moreover, combined with ginger, gingko has also been shown to reduce stress induced anxiety and it may also be beneficial for depression as well.

5-HTP. Emotional well-being disruptions, including depression have been linked to serotonin imbalances in the brain and, as such, supplementation with 5-HTP may increase serotonin synthesis. 5-HTP has been used in connection with anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, migraines, tension headaches and others.