Individuals who suffer from recurring panic attacks suffer from a condition called panic disorder. This condition can very often lead to agoraphobia (fear of open or public places). Having a panic attack means suffering an attack of fear or anxiety which comes on very suddenly for no apparent reason. As well as anxiety, panic attacks can be accompanied by the following symptoms: thumping heart or palpitations; sweating; chills or hot flashes; shortness of breath; feeling sick; chest pains; dizziness or feeling faint; fear of dying; fear of going mad; pins and needles or numbness; and, feelings of detachment.

Any physical symptoms associated with an attack do not indicate a physical problem with the chest, heart, abdomen, etc – they usually occur due to a rush of nervous impulses originating in the brain which go to various parts of the body during the attack.

It is known that at the very least, one in ten people have had an occasional panic attack, but to have a panic disorder means to have recurring panic attacks, the frequency of which varies in different people.

No treatments are usually necessary for the occasional panic attack, but for those who have a panic disorder the aim is to try and reduce the severity as well as number of panic attacks that occur and the main types of medication for these are antidepressants.

Panic Disorder

Blood pressure is described as the pressure the force of blood applies to the artery walls as it flows through them. It is the pumping action of the heart that causes the blood to be under pressure. Normal blood pressure is an essential function in the workings of the body. Blood pressure is denoted by two numbers, 120/80 being an example (which happens to be considered an average blood pressure reading, by the way), with the first number being the systolic blood pressure, or the pressure when the heart is contracted while pumping the blood, and the second number is the diastolic blood pressure reading which is when the heart is at rest while filling with blood.

Naturally low pressure (usually thought of as lower than 90/60) doesn’t indicate any problems health wise. It could be normal for some people and indeed beneficial as it can lower incidences of stoke and coronary heart disease. It only becomes a problem if it is accompanied by symptoms such as fainting. This is normally caused by an underlying problem which would indicate that the blood pressure is not being regulated properly.

What to do in the case of Low Blood Pressure

If someone has constantly low blood pressure, then this could be classed as normal, however, if they have postural hypotension (blood pressure drops when standing up from a sitting position) or postprandial hypotension (blood pressure drops after eating), could mean there are underlying health problems. These could be taking drugs that are used to treat high blood pressure, illnesses that cause blood loss, diabetes, Addison’s disease (an adrenal gland disease), and early stages of pregnancy.

Treatment of low blood pressure normally depends on the underlying cause of the problem.

Drug allergies are adverse reactions to medication drugs and these reactions can be separated into three groups. First are those not actually related to the drug in question at all, but are coincidental and attributed to other mitigating factors associated with the illness or disease. Second are common predictable reactions like side effects related to taking other medication at the same time, or having an overdose. The third is unpredictable and uncommon reactions of which quite a few are allergic reactions that typically involve the immune system, being either immediate or delayed in reaction.

Allergic reactions can vary greatly from simple, slight rashes to very severe anaphylactic reactions of the immune system. Some drugs that can cause allergic reactions include heart drugs such as ACE inhibitors, antibiotics like penicillin, anesthetic drugs such as muscle relaxants, morphine, aspirin like drugs such as ibuprofen, chemotherapy drugs, antiseptics like iodine, vaccines such as tetanus, and colorings or preservatives in certain medications.

Reactions usually occur within one hour of taking the medication and can involve a measle-like rash that is very itchy. Some life threatening reactions may involve skin blistering with peeling accompanied by fever.

Common Allergic Reactions

Treatments of various drug allergic reactions involve the immediate withdrawal of the offending drug and then the administration of an antihistamine medicine. In severe allergic reactions, adrenaline and steroids may be used to save a life.