subject: How To Get Rid Of Panic Attacks And Fainting [print this page] What are the causes of panic attacks and fainting? A lot of people who experience the dilemma of panic disorder usually ask this question. Panic is defined as a sudden loss of self control or intense panic, leaving no room for the person to think properly. A panic episode may cause sudden panic and triggers several symptoms to happen, which include the feeling of going faint. So can panic attacks cause fainting? In order to answer this question, first we need to take a look on panic episodes and its symptoms.
People who experience panic episodes may have the feeling of becoming lightheaded or dizzy; this happen because of a sudden shortness in breathing or hyperventilation. This can occur when oxygen in our body suddenly increases which causes dizziness. In the event of a panic episode, a person may feel tensions in the muscles which may also cause fainting like sensations.
When searching for answers regarding panic attacks and fainting, it is important to consider one's blood pressure. A person can faint when there are evident changes in the blood pressure. A person who experiences a sudden decline in sugar levels may also faint. If situations like these are present during a panic episode, then fainting can happen during an attack.
People who faint during a panic attack often suffer from hyperventilation; their breathing becomes rapid making them feel lightheaded and dizzy. Hyperventilating can also cause an increase in heartbeat. If proper steps are taken when dealing with hyperventilation, the shortness in breath and the panic attack may be stopped.
When fainting happens during a panic seizure, the first thing to do is consult a doctor to help in finding out the cause of fainting and ruling out the possibilities of other problems such as low blood pressure.
One must take note that during a panic attack, the effect may peak and last in just a few minutes. While the feeling of fainting is usually felt on the start of a panic attack, this can rarely happen. When a person faints, there is a significant lack of oxygen that goes to the brain causing him to black out. In the case of a panic attack, this can rarely happen since the duration of an attack can only last in minutes.
Vasovagal sycncope can also be the reason for fainting during a panic episode. This can happen when a person responds to a certain situation in an exaggerated way, like emotional problems or seeing blood. This problem can be a cause of a sudden decline in blood pressure which in turn causes fainting.
Vascovagal syncopes are usually harmless occurrences and may skip treatment, but still a doctor should be consulted to dismiss possible complications such as heart problems which may also cause fainting.
Fainting in a panic episode is a rare sight, when this happens a doctor should immediately be called upon. The person may have contracted a different ailment which may have caused the fainting and may not be related to the panic episode. People who are physically healthy may have lesser chances of fainting in a panic episode.
An individual going through this problem should learn and put into practice some techniques which can greatly decrease the chances of going through hyperventilation and panic seizures. A great way to lessen the risk is to consult a doctor so that proper medication can also be prescribed.
