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What Causes Heaviness In The Chest, Breathing Difficulty, Violent Chills And Tremors?
Question: I have a few times throughout approximately 8-10 months,awoke in the middle of my sleep,like someone shook me awake to having a heavy chest and then not able to catch my breathe very easily. I've ran outside for fresh air and then I get violent chills and trembly type shakiness. At the same time it is making me nervous and worried. Been told this could be panic attacks, however, I would like to hear if you may have another thought on these occurrences? Also I have a daylong headache when this happens.
Brief Answer:
Panic attacks remain more likley
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
I have to say that I would also put anxiety as the most probable cause for those episodes. It does justify the combination of symptoms which you describe, they are all commonly associated with anxiety disorders of which panic attacks are a part.
If I were to decide to dig deeper for other causes among the possibilities would be a seizure being at the origin of those manifestations. A heart arrhythmia may also manifest those features. One other possibility to be considered would be hormonal issues like hyperthyroidism or metabolic ones like electrolyte imbalance. So an EKG, some routine blood tests as well an EEG may be considered.
However again, while the above mentioned possibilities would justify some of those symptoms, the whole constellation of symptoms is still unlikely to be caused by one of them, panic attacks remain much more likely.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Panic attacks remain more likley
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
I have to say that I would also put anxiety as the most probable cause for those episodes. It does justify the combination of symptoms which you describe, they are all commonly associated with anxiety disorders of which panic attacks are a part.
If I were to decide to dig deeper for other causes among the possibilities would be a seizure being at the origin of those manifestations. A heart arrhythmia may also manifest those features. One other possibility to be considered would be hormonal issues like hyperthyroidism or metabolic ones like electrolyte imbalance. So an EKG, some routine blood tests as well an EEG may be considered.
However again, while the above mentioned possibilities would justify some of those symptoms, the whole constellation of symptoms is still unlikely to be caused by one of them, panic attacks remain much more likely.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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