Panic and fear are the bodies natural reaction to feared or dangerous situations and signals to your body to get ready for impending danger and to avoid harm. It is often called the fight or flight response to impending danger. They're part of the bodies warning device and are normal reactions to extreme danger. It is considered a panic disorder when a panic attack occurs without any life threatening incidence.

Panic attack, as the words indicates, is an abrupt yet intense fear. When in this condition, you are emotionally unsound. This can lead to changes in your conduct ranging from normal to eccentric. A panic attack results in a feeling of absolute helplessness.

Symptoms of panic attack can be a combination of any of these wide variety of conditions. The following symptoms are common in a panic attack:

1. Rapid heartbeat. 2. Difficulty in breathing resulting in chest pain with tightness in throat that can lead to choking and difficulty in swallowing. 3. There is nausea which can be accompanied with giddiness, abdominal spasms and the urge to vomit. 4. Excessive sweating. 5. Shaking or trembling of hands and feet. Hands and feet became cold accompanied by numbness and tingling sensations. 6. Hot flushes or chills. 7. May feel they are having a heart attack and they fear they might be dying.

Duration. Panic attacks are more common than we think. They are a common symptom of anxiety; one in ten people in Britain suffer a panic attack every day. Panic attacks are very limited in time. The body can only maintain this reaction for, at most 15 minutes. They are more common in men then woman. Having a panic attack does not mean you have a panic disorder.

Cause of Panic Attacks. The cause of panic attacks are not well documented by scientists and medical researchers, but the chance that panic attacks are genetic is being considered particularly if family members are affected. Panic attacks are not fatal, but if left untreated can severely affect your quality of life. Untreated this can lead to depression .Childbirth, surgery, a traumatic experience or a long period of stress can trigger panic attacks. For some people the cause is unknown and the panic attack appears to occur as part of an anxiety disorder such as post traumatic stress disorder, social phobia or obsessive compulsive disorder. They can be caused by a number of different items in the environment; drugs, caffeine, and postpartum period. Caffeine can cause panic attacks, as does marijuana, cocaine, and amphetamines.

Examination and assessment of your health condition by a certified doctor can only determine whether you are suffering from panic attacks or a panic disorder. Having to consult an expert like a psychiatrist and psychologist is advised for this particular condition.This is the best thing to do and can be beneficial to you, because there are some serious medical conditions with the same symptoms, so you want to know for sure that you don't have a different medical problem that requires treatment. There are panic attacks that can be cured through medications, but there are some cases that need a behavioral therapist or a combination of both. Lifestyle changes can also help lessen panic attacks. Lastly, there are panic attacks that can be resolved by simple breathing exercises and relaxation techniques.

Lynn Zingel is the author and editor of www.icando.co.nz. Here you will find words of encouragement, inspiration, and challenge to change whatever you focus your mind upon.