Problems that Mimic Panic Attack

Are your panic attacks real or are they panic attack-like symptoms? This is an important distinction. Treating a person for the wrong ailment can make things worse.

In a panic attack, a person is gripped by intense feelings of anxiety and fear. The person suffers from the attack for about 10 minutes. He also feels:

• Rapid heart beat or chest pains
• Sweat
• Chills
• Dizziness or nausea
• Stomach pain
• Hyperventilation, sometimes to the point of choking
• Tingling or numbness in the extremities
• Trembling
• Feelings of detachment
• Weakness
• Fear of dying

These symptoms are mimicked by several other ailments. Doctors do their best to identify the cause of these symptoms but it can be confusing. Don’t be alarmed if he orders test after test. A doctor needs to be sure, and there are many illnesses to choose from.

Temporal Lobe Epilepsy was first recognized in 1881. While sharing many of the outward symptoms of panic attack, it’s characterized by abnormal electrical activity in the brain’s temporal lobe.

Limbic System Dysfunction. The limbic system of the brain supports the emotions, including anxiety. It also governs the parts of the brain that can trigger the “flight or fight” response, which resembles a panic attack. The limbic system is also responsible for remembering the emotions in our memories. A dysfunction in this system can lead to panic attacks. It can be treated separately from a panic attack or both can be treated at the same time.

Hypoglycemia refers to a blood glucose disorder, where the person suffers from low blood sugar levels.

Mitral Valve Prolapse is a heart disorder that involves the degeneration of the mitral valve and other support structures. When a mitral valve prolapse occurs, a person can suddenly face a host of problems like cardiac arrhythmia. Mitral valve prolapse can easily be mistaken for panic attacks, especially since the two syndromes occur in people in the same age group. Worst of all, a panic attack and mitral valve prolapse can exist together. Two syndromes with the same symptoms in one person, and both are treated differently.

Pheochromocytoma is a tumor in the adrenal glands. It has a slight risk of cancer. It usually affects the adrenal glands, causing it to produce adrenaline when it is unnecessary. Too much adrenaline causes the same symptoms as a panic attack, plus high blood pressure.

Labyrinthitis is an inflammation in the inner ear, which causes balance control problems and chronic anxiety. A panic attack is one of its symptoms. Doctors usually treat both together.

Hyperthyroidism involves the malfunction of the thyroid gland. Too much thyroxine is produced, which causes the panic attack-like symptoms. The big difference lies during an attack. A panic attack causes chills. Hyperthyroidism feels hot.

All of these ailments and panic attacks can be treated, either separately or at the same time depending on the diagnosis. Be careful of your panic attack symptoms, it could mean much more. Consult your doctor to be sure, and be patient with all the tests.