Dr Oz 4 Medical Conditions That Can Be Causing Your Panic Attacks And Being Misdiagnosed
Dr Oz Understanding Panic Attacks – Is your anxiety something more serious? For the millions who suffer from panic disorder, it is. Learn the symptoms of panic attacks. Misdiagnosed by a majority of doctors panic attacks seems to be the answer to these hidden medical conditions.
Dr Oz Panic Attacks – Feelings of intense fear that develops for no apparent reason that triggers severe physical reactions. Dr. Oz explained today that not always are these symptoms of a panic attack, it could be symptoms of a significant undiagnosed medical problem. Sudden rushes of fear or anxiety could be one of the 4 medical conditions causing your panic attacks. Dr Lee Vinocor joins Dr Oz in this segment called Dr Oz Panic Attack Misdiagnosed
Dr Oz Panic Attack Symptoms
- racing or pounding heartbeat (palpitations);
- chest pains;
- stomach upset;
- dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea;
- difficulty breathing, a sense of feeling smothered;
- tingling or numbness in the hands;
- hot flashes or chills;
- trembling and shaking;
- dreamlike sensations or perceptual distortions;
- terror, a sense that something unimaginably horrible is about to occur and one is powerless to prevent it;
- a need to escape;
- nervousness about the possibility of losing control and doing something embarrassing;
- fear of dying.
Although the duration of a panic attack can vary greatly, it typically lasts for more than 10 minutes, is one of the most distressing conditions that a person can experience, and its symptoms can closely mimic those of a heart attack.
The 4 Deadly Conditions That Doctors Often Miss
Dr Oz goes over the 4 medical conditions that can be causing your panic attacks. In each one of the stories, these women were put on Antidepressants, diagnosed with stress which were leading to panic attacks.
1. Jennifer’s Story – Graves Disease(Hypothyroidism) not panic attacks. Racing heart, hot and irritable, dizzy, sweating, vomiting and trembling. Told she was having a panic attack at the hospital and sent her home. When it happened again she was told she had a panic disorder and needed councilling. Dr. Oz did a test (The Lid Lag Test) we can all do by looking down and making sure you cannot see the whites of eyes.
Dr Oz Graves Disease (Hypothyrodism) Symptoms
Graves’ disease symptoms may include:
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Difficulty sleeping
- Fatigue
- A rapid or irregular heartbeat
- A fine tremor of your hands or fingers
- An increase in perspiration
- Sensitivity to heat
- Weight loss, despite normal food intake
- Brittle hair
- Enlargement of your thyroid gland (goiter)
- Change in menstrual cycles
- Frequent bowel movements
2. Linda’s Story – Pheochromocytoma (Adrenal Tumour) which grows on the Adrenal Gland and secretes a hormone epinephrine. Linda’s symptoms were that she suffered from high blood pressure, horrible migraines, intense sweats, severe hot flashes throughout the day and night, and her hands trembled uncontrollably so that she couldn’t even pick up her coffee cup. She had a tumour on her Adrenal Gland. Adrenaline is the “fight or flight” hormone.
Dr Oz Pheochromocytoma Symptoms
- High blood pressure
- Rapid heart rate
- Forceful heartbeat
- Profound sweating
- Abdominal pain
- Sudden-onset headaches — usually severe — of varying duration
- Feeling of anxiety
- Feeling of extreme fright
- Pale skin
- Weight loss
3. Kelly’s Story – Mitral Valve Prolapse – For 8 years Kelly would have attacks of gasping for breath, and was diagnosed as having an asthma attack at first, then afterwards diagnosed as having panic attacks. Her heart was constantly racing, and always short of breath, and a constant sense of impending doom.
Kelly suffers from Mitral Valve Prolapse – Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) occurs when the valve between your heart’s left upper chamber (left atrium) and the left lower chamber (left ventricle) doesn’t close properly.
Dr Oz Mitral Valve Prolapse Symptoms
- A racing or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, often when lying flat or during physical activity
- Fatigue
- Chest pain that’s not caused by a heart attack or coronary artery disease
4. Acid Reflux Gerd – Dr. leigh Vinocur had this problem – she was also diagnosed with a Panic disorder.
Common risk factors include significant life stressors, a history of abuse, or traumatic events such as the death of a loved one. For the 2-6 million American who suffer from panic disorder, symptoms tend to being in adolescence or around age 30. Women are also affected more than men.
