Magnesium for panic attacks

How You Can Fight Anxiety and Feel Better

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Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:

Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.

Foods high in magnesium

leafy greens
avocado
dark chocolate
legumes
whole grains
nuts
seeds

If you take magnesium as a supplement, studies that showed that magnesium can have anti-anxiety effects generally used dosages of between 75 and 360 mg a day, according to the 2017 review.

It’s best to consult a healthcare practitioner before taking any supplement so you know the correct dose for you.

While there are few side effects from taking magnesium supplements, it’s always important not to take more of any supplement than you actually need.

According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, high amounts of magnesium in food sources don’t pose a risk as the kidneys usually flush extra magnesium out of the system.Office of Dietary Supplements. (2018). Magnesium: Fact sheet for health professionals. ods. od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/ However, it is possible to overdose on magnesium supplements.

The National Academy of Medicine advises adults not to exceed 350 mg of supplemental magnesium per day.Office of Dietary Supplements. (2018). Magnesium: Fact sheet for health professionals.
ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/ While more magnesium can be eaten in the form of food, a higher dosage of supplements can cause side effects.

In some trials, test subjects are given a higher dosage. You should only take more than 350 mg per day if your doctor has recommended that dosage. Otherwise you may have magnesium overdose.

Magnesium overdose symptoms

diarrhea
nausea
vomiting
cardiac arrest
low blood pressure
lethargy
muscle weakness

If you believe you’ve overdosed on magnesium, contact a healthcare professional right away.

There are many benefits of magnesium. From improved mood to bowel health, magnesium works throughout the body. Studies have found many other ways magnesium may help your health.Higdon J, et al. (2019). Magnesium. lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/minerals/magnesium

Other benefits

constipation treatment
better sleep
reduced pain
migraine treatment
reduced risk for type 2 diabetes
lowered blood pressure
improved mood

Magnesium is an important mineral with many benefits. While more evidence is needed to fully understand and explain how it works, magnesium seems to be an effective treatment for anxiety. Speak to a healthcare professional before taking any supplements.

How You Can Fight Anxiety and Feel Better

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Here’s our process.

Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:

Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.

Foods high in magnesium

leafy greens
avocado
dark chocolate
legumes
whole grains
nuts
seeds

If you take magnesium as a supplement, studies that showed that magnesium can have anti-anxiety effects generally used dosages of between 75 and 360 mg a day, according to the 2017 review.

It’s best to consult a healthcare practitioner before taking any supplement so you know the correct dose for you.

While there are few side effects from taking magnesium supplements, it’s always important not to take more of any supplement than you actually need.

According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, high amounts of magnesium in food sources don’t pose a risk as the kidneys usually flush extra magnesium out of the system.Office of Dietary Supplements. (2018). Magnesium: Fact sheet for health professionals. ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/ However, it is possible to overdose on magnesium supplements.

In some trials, test subjects are given a higher dosage. You should only take more than 350 mg per day if your doctor has recommended that dosage. Otherwise you may have magnesium overdose.

Magnesium overdose symptoms

diarrhea
nausea
vomiting
cardiac arrest
low blood pressure
lethargy
muscle weakness

If you believe you’ve overdosed on magnesium, contact a healthcare professional right away.

Other benefits

constipation treatment
better sleep
reduced pain
migraine treatment
reduced risk for type 2 diabetes
lowered blood pressure
improved mood

Panic attacks, magnesium deficiency symptoms. Looking for the connection

People suffering from panic disorders often do not know the nature of their occurrence and how to deal with them. One thing is certain for them - such a condition is a consequence of disturbances in the work of the nervous system and psyche. Here's what people who suffer from periodic panic attacks say:

“I was just standing in line at the doctor when I got really sick. It felt like his heart was about to jump out of his chest. I tried to take a deep breath, but there was a lump in my throat that prevented me from taking a sip of air. Legs buckled, hands shook. I thought I was going to die right there. It’s good that I was in the hospital at that moment, and the doctor quickly determined what was wrong with me. ”
“I have been suffering from panic attacks for quite a long time, it started after the death of a loved one. At the first such states, I was ready to die right here and right now. This state cannot be expressed in words. The first attacks were the strongest, over time I learned to deal with them.”

This is how people describe their condition in disorders. Let's figure out together what they are, what may be the causes of their occurrence, signs, as well as ways to get rid of them.

Panic attack definition

Panic attack is a panic attack that occurs for no apparent reason and cannot be controlled.

Even those who suffer from such mental disorders are not sufficiently aware of their condition. Many people subject to the disorder did not even try to seek the help of specialists, considering what was happening to them to speak of incurable pathologies of the nervous system and mental health. However, only a doctor is able to understand the real cause of panic attacks (hereinafter referred to as PA), as well as provide assistance. You should not count on folk remedies, the advice of friends “do not worry about trifles and everything will be fine” and let the situation take its course.

PA results from substances such as catecholamines entering the bloodstream. They are produced and released into the blood by the adrenal glands . The basis of these substances is the hormone adrenaline. As you know, this hormone is a constant companion of fear, so the syndrome always accompanies a feeling of fear.

Even if a physically and mentally healthy person is injected with the hormone adrenaline, he will quickly develop signs of PA. There will be a tremor of the whole body, it will be thrown either by heat or cold, the heart will pound furiously, and there will not be enough air. The internal organs also make themselves felt - there will be a need to go to the toilet, a wave of nausea will cover, colic will begin in the stomach. The same signs occur with the natural release of adrenaline into the blood - a sudden explosion of a firecracker, an attack by a robber, a parachute jump.

Therefore, we can say that all the signs of ill health that occur during a panic attack are a normal reaction of a healthy body. But the whole pathology lies in the fact that a sudden fear can cover even with a minor event (a plate broke, the phone suddenly rang) or without a reason at all.

Experts call PA terms such as "vegetative storm (storm)". The attacks are so severe that patients think they are about to die. Fear of sudden death is the biggest and most common type of fear in PA. The causes of apparent death may lie in the accompanying PA symptoms. So, with a rapid heartbeat, people are afraid of dying from a heart attack, with high blood pressure - from a stroke, with a lack of air - from suffocation, etc. Regular attacks give free rein to the patient's imagination, their symptoms are associated with incurable diseases, various phobias are born.

Lissophobia ranks second in PA after the fear of death. With such fear , people are not afraid of physical health problems, but mental . That is, there is a fear of losing control over oneself, there is a fear of such mental conditions as schizophrenia, insanity, epilepsy. This is typical for patients experiencing during an attack a feeling of unreality of what is happening, devastation.

What happens with PA

PA is not associated with somatic pathologies. In this state, the autonomic nervous system is out of balance. Even a small experience or memory of an unpleasant moment in life can lead a person with unstable nerves to panic. And the complex of symptoms of this condition leads the patient to an obsessive thought about his physical or mental illnesses.

To understand the origin of PA, one must clearly understand what is called the autonomic nervous system. Humans have two nervous systems. The first is responsible for the work of the muscles and the body. The second controls all other processes. It, like a web, entangles the entire human body and is responsible for many processes - heart rate, filling blood vessels with blood, controls salivation, sweating, breathing, gastrointestinal tract, production of enzymes and hormones. In a critical situation, when adrenaline is released into the blood, the autonomic nervous system loses balance and PA sets in.

Since the vegetative system in the human body is responsible for literally all processes, the sensations during a panic attack can be completely different.

Types of PA

Scientists and physicians divide PA into three types.

Spontaneous . Occurs unpredictably, for no apparent reason.
Situational . Occurs as a result of a stressful situation or in the process of its expectation. For example, before an important event in life - a wedding, an exam, an airplane flight, a quarrel.
Conditional . Most often, such attacks appear under the influence of any substance that affects the nervous system - drugs, alcohol. Or with a change in hormonal levels.

The average duration of an attack is 15 to 30 minutes, with symptoms developing in 10 minutes. After the attack ends, the person feels weak and empty.

The most susceptible to PA are young people aged 20-30, while it is noted that most often they are women.

The wave of panic that hits for the first time is remembered for a lifetime, therefore, after the first attack, patients live in fear of subsequent similar states. This constant feeling of fear can lead to re-PA.

Here are a few things to remember for people suffering from panic attacks.

It's not fatal, you can't die from it.
It is impossible to become crazy from an attack.
Attack does not affect health in any way.
PA leaves no residue.
Such attacks are not signs of cowardice or weakness.

Although PA themselves do not pose a great threat to health, their frequent manifestation threatens with negative consequences for a person's mental health, can cause depression and neurosis.

Causes of occurrence

To know how to deal with PA, first of all, it is necessary to find out the cause of their appearance. The main cause of such conditions are most often nervous disorders associated with stress in life.

There is a whole group of factors that do not depend on the external environment or on the physiological structure of a person. They may be heritable and laid down at the genetic level .

Feeling of insecurity, anxiety, the habit of worrying about little things.
Emotional vulnerability and impressionability.
Excessive gullibility, openness, sentimentality.
Instability of mental and emotional background.
Autonomic reactivity - a strong responsiveness of the body to experienced emotions: nausea, sweating, increased pressure, hot or cold flashes, etc.

Very often in people who suffer from PA, there are such conditions or bad habits as addiction to alcohol and drugs, depression, suicidal tendencies, strong phobias.

The main cause of panic can be both physical stress and emotional. At the same time, it can be supplemented by a state of alcoholic or drug intoxication, chronic fatigue or insomnia. The impetus for an attack can be a strong shock or a minor incident.

Some diseases can also be sources . For example, cardiac pathology, in which one of the valves of the heart does not close as it should. Hypoglycemia and hyperthyroidism can also trigger seizures.

Some drugs and stimulants for the nervous system (caffeine) can also cause a wave of unreasonable panic.

Let's give examples when PA can be provoked by physical factors.

Food and any other type of poisoning.
Sun or heat stroke.
When drinking coffee and strong tea in large quantities.
In the morning after drinking alcohol.
Due to physical and sports overload of the body.
As a result of the use of narcotic and psychotropic substances.
When working, which is associated with overwork, lack of sleep, emergency work.
In the treatment of diseases using antibiotics and antiviral drugs.
When using hormonal drugs or after their withdrawal.
In women during PMS, menopause, after childbirth.

Another cause of seizures may be unpleasant memories associated with negative emotions. Most of these memories come from childhood. These can be family quarrels, physical abuse of parents, fights, threats, death of loved ones.

In addition, the syndrome is associated with lack of certain micro- and macroelements in the body person. Magnesium deficiency (hypomagnesemia) affects the nervous system. A person suffers from sleep disorders, mood swings, depression. All this "bouquet" of symptoms can lead to PA.

Signs of a panic attack

PA is accompanied by a wide range of sensations, physical and mental. Three sources signal panic at once.

Body - sweating, palpitations, difficulty breathing, muscle tension.

Consciousness - fear, excitement, awareness of danger and threat.

Behavior - a nervous, sometimes uncontrollable desire to run away, hide from danger.

According to American statistics, more than 22% of the country's population has experienced PA at least once. Most of the respondents and respondents are young women. But older people practically do not suffer from such a syndrome.

So, what are the characteristics of PA?

Rapid heartbeat and pulse.

Excessive sweating.

Feeling of trembling inside.

Tremor.

Difficulty breathing, choking, sensation of a lump in the throat.

Tremor, tingling, numbness of extremities, convulsions.

Fear of dying.

Insomnia.

Dizziness, uncertainty when walking.

Fear of fainting.

Disturbed stool, desire to empty the bowels.

Frequent urination.

Increased blood pressure.

Loss of orientation in space, disorder of motor function.

The physiological aspect of PA is as follows.

Release of catecholamines into the blood as a result of experienced shock, shock, stress.

Constriction of blood vessels.

Increased heart rate and strength.

Increased breathing.

The occurrence of excessive ventilation of the lungs, a decrease in the amount of carbon dioxide in the blood.

Excessive accumulation of lactic acid in the tissues, which leads to pain in the muscles and gives the brain a signal of the onset of stress.

Panic disorder is a state of the body when PA occurs at regular intervals, unexpectedly and for no apparent reason. Doctors refer the syndrome to neurotic disorders.

Treatment of PA

Since the syndrome is a type of neurosis, it is treated by psychotherapists or psychiatrists. Doctors of other specialties, such as gastroenterologists, cardiologists, neurologists or endocrinologists, will not be able to provide assistance due to the fact that they do not have the necessary competence. But turning to them will help to exclude the possibility of the presence of physical pathologies that may accompany or hide behind PA.

Before starting treatment, the psychotherapist checks the patient for compliance with his diagnostic criteria.

The recurrence of PA, that is, they occur repeatedly within one month, are unpredictable and are not associated with any situation.

Begin suddenly and have the character of episodic fear and discomfort.

Symptoms reach a climax in a few minutes, the attack itself can last 15-20 minutes.

There are intervals of calm between episodes, without the presence of PA symptoms, but characterized by a state of expectation of a new attack.

PA should not be associated with other physical, neurological or mental illnesses.

Sometimes, when prescribing treatment, doctors distinguish between the degree of disorder - moderate (no more than 4 PA in 4 weeks) and severe (more than 4 PA per week).

The first thing that is needed in the treatment of PA is the reduction of general anxiety, completely and for a long period. When a state of rest occurs, the adrenal glands will cease to produce adrenaline in excess, and the autonomic nervous system becomes more stable. At the same time, the physical condition of the patient is characterized as comfortable and efficient, the symptoms disappear. To obtain such a result, it is necessary to prescribe antidepressants by a doctor.

At the beginning of therapy, drugs from the group of tranquilizers are used. They are needed for faster resolution of symptoms and for successful adaptation to prescribed antidepressants. In severe cases, antipsychotics may be used.

But psychologists, psychoanalysis, hypnosis are practically useless in PA, except for a mild form of the syndrome, when an attack happened once or twice in a lifetime.

First aid

Most often, PA occurs in similar situations (in large crowds, in a confined space, far from home), so it would be advisable to avoid such circumstances. But, unfortunately, this is not always possible.

There are several simple tricks that can quickly bring an attack to naught.

Breath . Since hyperventilation of the air begins with the release of adrenaline, the first thing to do is to normalize breathing. Try to get some fresh air or at least open a window. If this is not possible, then breathing through a bag or palms may help. Try to breathe slowly, evenly and as deeply as possible. Thus, it is possible to normalize the concentration of carbon dioxide.

Switching . Distraction from attention will help to overcome PA. Consider others, count out loud or in your head, solve problems, sing songs, talk to someone on extraneous topics. If you are in a public place with a large crowd of people, then switch to the people around you and the situation: count the cars passing by, guess the names of passers-by, etc. Tactile sensations can also help - clench and unclench your fists, massage your earlobes.

Autosuggestion . Repeat to yourself that PA is short-lived and in a few minutes there will be no trace of it, it does not threaten life and health, it does not go crazy.

Muscle relaxation . With PA, the whole body tenses up, so we feel spasms. Relax the muscles one by one, saying "my arms relax, I relax my legs ...".

If you have witnessed another person being overwhelmed by panic, try to help. It is not necessary to say that all this is nonsense and there is nothing serious. He himself knows this, but at this moment he is really scared and hard. Just try to distract the person with conversations or some actions. Do not touch him, only calm conversations and leisurely movements.

The relationship between magnesium deficiency and PA

We have already talked about what signs are characterized by PA, and now let's talk about magnesium deficiency and pathology symptoms. You will see how similar and interconnected the signs of PA and hypomagnesemia are. Indeed, many patients do not even associate the syndrome with a lack of minerals, they believe that only mental disorders and experienced emotional upheavals can be its source.

Let's move on to the symptoms of Mg deficiency.

Fatigue is one of the first and earliest symptoms of hypomagnesemia. The feeling of fatigue is associated with an insufficient amount of energy in the body, which is produced and transported by Mg.

Muscle spasms, convulsions. They are painful and unpredictable, occur due to physical exertion, lack of magnesium, dehydration, malnutrition.

Arrhythmia. Mg keeps the heart rhythm in good shape, with hypomagnesemia, the heartbeat becomes irregular.

Dizziness occurs due to an insufficient amount of oxygen in the blood and brain, which can also indicate a lack of an element.

Problems with the gastrointestinal tract - nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation.

Tingling or numbness of the limbs and also of the face.

Disturbances in the work of the nervous system - anxiety, PA, irritability, insomnia at night, drowsiness during the day.

Pressure increase.

Headaches.

Problems with bones and blood vessels.

As you can see, hypomagnesemia is closely related to the problem we are considering. Both disorders have similar symptoms, and some signs of Mg deficiency can trigger PA.

How to avoid magnesium deficiency? How to prevent the consequences of pathology leading to panic disorders?

Naturally, the body is not able to produce magnesium, so we ourselves must take care of saturating our body with the necessary mineral. There are three ways to regulate its concentration:

by eating foods rich in magnesium;

taking special mineral and vitamin complexes, dietary supplements;

drink water containing Mg.

Almost all foods enriched with this mineral are of vegetable origin. These are wheat bran, soybeans, almonds, peanuts, buckwheat, oats, sesame, sunflower seeds, seaweed, beet tops, skimmed milk powder, chocolate, oatmeal, halva, hazelnuts, pine nuts.

In pharmacies you can find a large number of vitamin and mineral complexes designed to compensate for the deficiency of Mg. For example, Magnelis, Magne B6, Asprakam, Panangin, Complivit Magnesium. Before starting use, you should consult your doctor, since self-administration of magnesium preparations to yourself can lead to hypermagnesemia - an excess of Mg.

Let's take a closer look at a new source of magnesium - functional drink "Magnium". In this drink, the microelement is contained in the most digestible form - magnesium citrate. It is highly soluble in water, so once it enters the body, it is easily and quickly absorbed.

Another important point - the drink has no contraindications, you can drink it even for children and pregnant women.

"Magnium" is produced in aluminum cans, one can of the drink contains 60 mg of the element. To get a daily dose of the mineral, you need to drink two or three cans. But at the same time, you should not forget about proper nutrition, or rather, about eating foods rich in Mg.

Regular use of "Magnium" has a positive effect on:

ability to work - improves brain function, fights insomnia, increases concentration;

health - normalizes blood pressure, the digestive tract, helps the heart to function normally;

energy - accelerates metabolism, prevents muscle spasms and cramps, strengthens bones and joints;

appearance - produces collagen, fights excess weight, tones the skin, helps in the absorption of calcium and vitamin D.

You can buy a functional drink with magnesium citrate "Magnium" in online stores Ozon, Beru! or SDEK. Every day the number of retail outlets where you can buy "Magnium" is growing. You can choose from a drink with a classic taste, as well as with cranberry, tonic-lime and feijoa flavorings.

To prevent and reduce the frequency of PA, try to follow the tips for a healthy lifestyle. Eat right, give up coffee, energy drinks, alcohol, fast food. Exercise, meditate, learn yoga. All these simple techniques help to calm the nervous system. And don't hesitate to seek the help of a doctor if you feel you can't handle the problem on your own.

Where to buy MagniuM

Should I take Magnesium b6 for panic attacks?

Contents

Use of the remedy for VVD

Side effects and contraindications

Not everyone knows that a deficiency in the body of such an important element as magnesium can have the most negative impact on health. Patients with vegetovascular dystonia receive this microelement especially necessary. That is why the drug Magnesium B6 with VVD is prescribed especially often.

Use of the remedy for VVD

The main indications for taking the drug are:

high blood pressure;

tachycardia, extrasystoles, chest pain and tension;

irritability, nervousness, irascibility;

various sleep disorders;

trembling in body and limbs;

high fatigue, prostration, lack of energy;

spasms in various parts of the body, problems with the gastrointestinal tract;

depressive states.

All of the listed manifestations are well known to every VVD-shnik. Bad mood, insomnia, apathy, various uncomfortable sensations in the body - it is these symptoms that dystonics most often want to get rid of, and Magnesium B6 can be a great help in this. Many patients with VVD doubt the effectiveness of this remedy, but they do it completely in vain: it is with disorders of the nervous system that the drug often turns out to be simply irreplaceable. Magnesium B6 is often prescribed for panic attacks, since another indication for its use is constant anxiety. So, this medication will contribute to the appearance of the following positive changes in the patient:0003

the work of the heart will improve, the "nervous" pain in the chest will disappear, the arrhythmia will stop bothering;

reaction of vessels to weather changes will be less acute;

the patient will fall asleep much faster and will stop waking up frequently at night, the constant feeling of anxiety will recede;

symptoms such as cold extremities, trembling, convulsions, spasms will disappear;

the feeling of fatigue will disappear, cheerfulness will appear;

will improve the work of the digestive tract.

It is worth noting that if PA is too acute, then only strong drugs - antidepressants and tranquilizers (such drugs should be prescribed exclusively by the attending physician) will be able to cope with them. However, if we take into account that Magnesium B6 improves the general mental state and improves mood, then the benefits of the drug will still be tangible - it is possible that anxiety attacks will become less pronounced, and their number will decrease. Therefore, it is possible that in a patient taking the drug Magnesium b6 for panic attacks, the attacks will disappear completely over time.

The product is usually taken three times a day (1-2 tablets) with meals. The daily dose for adults should not exceed 6-8 tablets.

Analogues of the drug include such drugs as Magnelis, Panangin, Magnerot and Asparkam. The most similar to Magnesium B6 in action is Magnelis (this analogue can be purchased at pharmacies at a lower cost).

Side effects and contraindications

The main contraindications to taking the drug are individual intolerance, low blood pressure, kidney pathology, diabetes and children under 6 years of age. It is unacceptable to take medication simultaneously with calcium (due to poor absorption of elements and the possible formation of kidney stones), as well as with laxatives. Side effects from taking the medication include allergic manifestations, nausea, flatulence, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation.

In case of an overdose of the drug, the patient may experience respiratory problems, nausea, vomiting, numbness of the extremities. It is also possible to lower blood pressure. In order to avoid negative consequences, it is not recommended to use the drug without consulting a specialist and independently establish (adjust) the treatment regimen. It is especially important to seek medical advice for patients suffering from panic attacks. "Alarmists", as a rule, constantly use certain drugs, which is why magnesium intake may be contraindicated for them.
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