The issue of alcohol and panic attacks is an interesting one. Many people believe that drinking alcohol would in fact decrease the chances of having an attack, which is an understandable assumption, but in truth it actually increases the chance even more. I shall explain why.

When you have a panic attack your heart rate and adrenaline levels increase, this is what makes an attack FEEL like an attack. When you drink your heart rate increases thus making it more likely you will have an attack.

Another thing to keep in mind is that while most people realize that alcohol affects the liver, most people do not understand that the liver is one of the organs responsible for producing serotonin, gaba and other neurotransmitters that makes us feel good, happy and healthy. When you drink you are disrupting these feel good chemicals in your brain and increasing the risk of not only feeling sick, but also feeling anxious.

Have you ever wondered why, while you are drinking you feel good but the next day you suffer from panic attacks? These are some of the reasons why.

Of course I am not saying that alcohol is bad and you will experience these things when you have a glass of wine. What I am saying is that when you binge drink and you have a predisposition to panic attacks, the likelihood of having an attack is greatly increased.

So is there a direct link between alcohol and panic attacks? The short answer is yes. If you suffer from any degree of anxiety you will need to use common sense and only drink in moderation, at least until you have cured your panic disorder for good.

Living with a panic disorder can hinder your ability to lead a fulfulling and happy life. Alcohol and anxiety DO mix and if you would like to cure yourself of panic attacks for good then visit http://www.squidoo.com/How-to-stop-an-anxiety-attack-easily you will learn how to eliminate them for good in no time. Alternatively take a look at http://panicawayonline.info which will show you exact methods to permanently remove anxiety, phobias and other panic disorders for good.

Do you have nocturnal panic attacks? Many of us do and most of those that do have them do not know what they are. If you find yourself doing things like this, then you may be experiencing this condition.

You go to sleep knowing that you need to sleep to have a good day tomorrow. But, then trouble happens. As you unconsciously transition from one level of sleep to another, something frightening happens. You bolt upright to find yourself short of breath and suffering from chest pains. You feel dizzy and have a sense of impending doom and suffocation. You're sweating and feel as if you're going crazy. You have just experienced a nocturnal panic attack.

Nocturnal panic attacks occur to many people. They happen when they want to and do not give any signs that they are going to happen. Your dreams have nothing to do with this condition. In fact, you may not even remember the dreams, only the terror of the nocturnal panic attacks. Nightmares happen at a different time frame during your sleep than panic attacks happen.

Sleep Apnea

If you suffer from sleep apnea, you may be experiencing panic attacks at least in part due to this. Your heart rate will increase as will your blood flow. This causes a feeling anxiety and that can lead to panic attacks. It is your body's way of protecting you.

What Are They

Many of those that face nocturnal panic attacks will also experience panic attacks during the day. About half of those that have panic attacks during the day will have them at night as well. But, the catch is that only ten percent of all panic attacks happen during the night.

People that have these night time terrors often have a fear of things like having a heart attack or having a stroke while they are asleep. They are, in effect, worrying about bad things happening to them even when they know that it is unlikely that they will happen.

What Can Be Done

One thing you can do independently is take inventory of your bedtime habits. Be merciless. Be thorough. There are likely many behaviors you can modify that will keep you from sleeping too lightly, thereby decreasing your risk of being awakened by panicky feelings. The most common types of modifications involve changes in dietary behavior.

The National Sleep Foundation suggests pinpointing diet-related culprits by eliminating them, one at a time, and taking note of the results. Reducing your daily consumption of caffeinated and alcoholic beverages after midday can often bring the biggest rewards. Other nocturnal panic attack sufferers choose to forego the use of artificial sweeteners.

Any attempt at getting a better night's sleep that works consistently should be adopted immediately. Eliminate daytime naps, if they are currently a part of your regular routine. Do all you can to encourage your body to rest easy. Nocturnal panic attacks can be treated by your doctor as well.

Medication panic attacks, and our health are all intertwined. Medication is often prescribed for almost any ailment that comes to mind. It can be both good and bad in many ways. Medication Panic attacks usually won't damage our health directly, but can contribute in other ways as well. What do both of these actually have to do with our health?

Let us start with medication. There are situations and circumstances in which it can be deemed necessary, and a life saver. We may have had an accident and need medication to keep infections under control for example. On the flip side, there are also many smaller issues that it is prescribed to regularly that may provide just a minimal benefit.

Research is important when discussing medication. Quite often, there are many side effects present. It can even be seen at times, that we are exchanging one problem for another. There is also the possibility of them causing future health complications and this should be another part of the research.

Panic attacks generally does not harm us, in a direct fashion of course. It can affect our health indirectly however in multiple ways. It can make sleeping difficult, or panic attacks at night can create a fear of sleep. This can lead to insomnia, and this lack of sleep has a strong impact on our daily activities.

We may fear leaving the house due to the possibility of having an attack somewhere outside. It could make life very bland, and lead to depression. There are many other examples possible, but these indirect results can have a negative impact on our lives.