The heart of the mind-body equation is to respect the
interactive nature of mind and body. Knowledge should allow us to take
proactive actions to manage sensations of panic. Can an individual stop a panic
attack before it starts, or short-circuit that feeling of being out of control?
I say yes.
I have
experienced panic attacks in the past but I also know that I have a tendency to
food sensitivity. Lay people such as myself often refer to food sensitivity as
an allergic response, but to the medical establishment an allergic reaction
would actually lead to anaphylactic symptoms and be life threatening. I also
noticed that my more severe food sensitivities created symptoms that were very
like symptoms of panic attack, and like symptoms of severe acidosis. No one
wants to experience the symptoms of severe food sensitivity, panic attack, or
acidosis, but at the same time no one wants to be rushing to the emergency
physician for no reason.
My first response to feelings of panic is to think, did I
eat something questionable? If my answer is yes, or I’m not exactly sure---I
will take an antihistamine. If your tongue or throat is swelling seek
medical help immediately as this is a life threatening allergic response.
If the symptoms continue after the antihistamine and they
do not meet the level of an allergic response, I will do another self-check. If
stomach issues or body sensations seem to predominate my thinking then I will
sip baking soda, sodium bicarbonate, water. If my breathing seems rapid but
heart rate seems fine, I will go for a brisk walk or use the mini-trampoline.
The goal of exercise is to get the heart rate and breathing consistent with
each other so one is not experiencing respiratory acidosis. At this point if my
thoughts are still out of control or gloomy, I will start therapeutic
self-talk, turn on an engaging television show, or call a friend to come visit
me now.
A panic attack is often referred to as the Fight or Flight
response. The panic episode can occur at any time, even during sleep.
Panic attacks are characterized by several of these symptoms: “Racing” heart, Feeling weak, Faint,
or dizzy, Tingling or numbness in the hands and fingers, Sense of terror,
Impending doom or death, Feeling sweaty or having chills, Chest pains,
Breathing difficulties, and Feeling a loss of control.
Sometimes what we are experiencing is not completely the
result of anxiety or fear, but are automatic processes. The bodily sensations
we are experiencing are the result of acidosis. Our “Fight or Flight” reaction
creates a metabolic state of acidosis in the body, which is meant to generate
the energy we need to handle the stressful threatening situation confronting
us. But our culture and responsibilities often ask us not to fight or flee but
to address the problem through a mental activity. Unfortunately mental activity
does not eliminate acidosis.
In the Fight or Flight response a threat is perceived and
the body responds. The autonomic nervous system automatically puts the body on
alert. The adrenal cortex automatically releases stress hormones. The heart
automatically beats harder and more rapidly. Breathing automatically becomes
more rapid. Thyroid gland automatically stimulates the metabolism. Larger
muscles automatically receive more oxygenated blood.
These processes create biochemical changes in the body that create acidosis.
Acidosis can be displayed through three different
processes 1. Metabolic acidosis, 2. Respiratory acidosis and 3. Lactic acidosis.
Metabolic acidosis is related to the processing of food into energy, respiratory
acidosis is related to utilizing oxygen in the body, and lactic acidosis is the
result of muscle functioning. These are complex chemical processes. The focus
of the article is to raise our level of awareness on the impact of metabolic
processes on our daily life.
Acidosis, blood acidity, should not to be confused with digestive
acidity. Digestion is a metabolic process, where food is used as fuel and is
burned up. Some foods produce an acid residue and some an alkaline residue.
Blood acidity occurs when the normal pH balance of the blood veers towards the
acid end of the scale. In normal health blood tends to be alkaline which is
essential for our physical and mental well-being.
Acidity tends to be a general term indicating that the
blood, or one of the body secretions is less alkaline than it should be. Excess
acid gives rise to many distressing symptoms such as gastric disturbance,
irritation of the skin and mucous membranes, impoverishment of the blood,
palpitation of the heart, twinges of rheumatism, headaches on top of the head
with a sense of fullness, a persistent feeling of tiredness and other symptoms
of disturbed metabolism.
Blood tends to be alkaline because the vital combustions
taking place in the body are mostly acid in character. This alkalinity of the
blood allows chemical processes to move acid from the tissues to the discharge
points such as the lungs, kidneys and bowels. It is the concentration of
oxygen, O2, and carbon, CO2
gasses that affect the pH of blood, and thereby breathing-rate.
Carbohydrates and fats form about nine-tenths of the
normal fuel of the body and through the process of metabolism converts them
into vital nutrients, carbon dioxide gas and water. A diet high in such foods
as meat, eggs, white sugar and flour is acidic-as opposed to fruits and
vegetables, which give an alkaline residue.
Notice that the symptoms of the panic attack mirror
symptoms associated with acidosis. Metabolic acidosis symptoms:
- Hyperventilation
- Pale, clammy skin
- Heart arrhythmias
- Decreased heart rate
- Dizziness
- Cough
- Mental confusion
- Headache
The complex biochemical processes are an attempt to keep
blood pH as near perfect as possible and are known as pH buffering systems.
These buffering systems require a balance of minerals to work effectively.
Inadequate mineral intake in our diet creates problems with our pH balancing
systems. An unbalanced pH on a regular basis makes us vulnerable to
degenerative disease such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, chronic
fatigue, allergies, and obesity.
Acidosis interferes with the functioning of the glands and organs, as
well as, decreasing vitality and increasing the danger of infectious diseases.
Because the main cause of acidosis of the blood is faulty
diet, one can make different food choices, as well as life style changes. It is
important to make changes that you will follow through on. First, you need to
know which foods are more acidic and which are alkaline; this allows you to
meal plan a balanced meal. There are many excellent websites such as http://www.acidalkalinediet.com/Alkaline-Foods-Chart.htm
that provide guidance on food choices.
According to WebMD, http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/panic-attack-symptoms, panic attacks involve sudden feelings of terror that strike without
warning. I question, do they really happen without warning? When we recognize
the connection between our eating/lifestyle habits as possible triggers for
panic attacks, we can make changes in our habits. This creates a less stressed
condition in the body so the individual can put his/her focus on healing the
thoughts and emotions that trigger panic attacks.
http://www.cmhc.utexas.edu/stressrecess/Level_One/fof.html http://www.breathing.com/articles/acid-alkaline-balance.htm
This is a very interesting discussion
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