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What Causes Palpitations And Dizziness?

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Posted on Tue, 14 Mar 2017
Question: A few months ago i wrote in about having breathless episodes with fast heartrate and dizziness. The doctor thought it was obsessive compulsive anxiety attacks. He recommended counseling, meditation, exercise, and seeing a psychiatrist. These episodes have been happening for years and i have gone to counseling, have a psychiatrist i see every three months, i exercise by walking as often as possible, and basically have very little stress in my life at this point. The doctors dont know what these attacks are. No tests have definitively shown anything that could explain these episodes. These attacks happen several times throughout the day. If i reach over my head ill get breathless and dizzy. The same if I am doing housework on my knees then stand up. Sometimes stretching in bed will cause a breathless attack. I dont think I obsess about this condition. I dont feel mentally panicky or scared. It is just an aggravation and an inconvenience. Other triggers for these attacks are anything physically strenuous, sudden excitement, standing or walking after being seated or lying down for a period if time, My primary doctor thinks its related to the autonomic nervous system, my neurologist doesnt know what is causing it, my psychiatrist is also puzzled. My cardiologist of a few years ago witnessed an attack and said it was definitely not a panic attack. That is was some kind of physiological paroxm. He called it adrenergic syndrome. Im writing again to give a little more information to see if there is any other possible reason for these attacks besides anxiety. If its a panic disorder then i dont know what else to do to help myself. Ive tried meditation as well as all the other things ive already mentioned. I just want to live a normal life where i dont have these miserable episodes. I dont think about them except when they happen or when im speaking to doctors. I do avoid strenuous activities becsuse i know that will bring on an attack. Otherwise i go about ny day as anyone else would. But if theres anything that would stop these episodes I am willing to try anything.
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Explained

Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome

I appreciate your concern

With no drop in oxygen saturation, a normal cardiac and pulmonary workup, generalized anxiety disorder is the most probable culprit. Many times a patient may not see the whole picture and may have a biased view to exclude a certain cause or condition. The fact that you lead an otherwise normal life in between such episodes or in the absence of these paroxysmal spells indicates that the systems that commonly manifest organic causes of shortness of breath, palpitations and dizziness are intact. I would advise a psychiatric consultation. Behavioral cognitive therapy and psychotherapy should accompany any medications that are advised. Keep strenuous exercise at bay for the moment and ambulate according to your will and try to build up your stamina to counter these episodes. Deep and slow breathing exercises as part of meditation will help you relax and counter these symptoms as well. Try to be a good observer of your thoughts. The minute you realize that you are concentrating on your illness or breathlessness try to do something completely different so as to keep your mind from getting occupied with such thoughts. I know its easier said than done but with time you will acquire much more control.


Wishing you best of health

Thanks

Let me know if you have any query

Please consult your doctor before deciding on any further course of action.

For future follow up / correspondence you may ask me directly at the link given below

http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=68107

Dr. M.S. Khalil
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 2906 Questions

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What Causes Palpitations And Dizziness?

Brief Answer: Explained Detailed Answer: Hello and Welcome I appreciate your concern With no drop in oxygen saturation, a normal cardiac and pulmonary workup, generalized anxiety disorder is the most probable culprit. Many times a patient may not see the whole picture and may have a biased view to exclude a certain cause or condition. The fact that you lead an otherwise normal life in between such episodes or in the absence of these paroxysmal spells indicates that the systems that commonly manifest organic causes of shortness of breath, palpitations and dizziness are intact. I would advise a psychiatric consultation. Behavioral cognitive therapy and psychotherapy should accompany any medications that are advised. Keep strenuous exercise at bay for the moment and ambulate according to your will and try to build up your stamina to counter these episodes. Deep and slow breathing exercises as part of meditation will help you relax and counter these symptoms as well. Try to be a good observer of your thoughts. The minute you realize that you are concentrating on your illness or breathlessness try to do something completely different so as to keep your mind from getting occupied with such thoughts. I know its easier said than done but with time you will acquire much more control. Wishing you best of health Thanks Let me know if you have any query Please consult your doctor before deciding on any further course of action. For future follow up / correspondence you may ask me directly at the link given below http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=68107 Dr. M.S. Khalil