Panic Attack Symptoms Alleviated with Biofeedback

The physical symptoms of a panic attack are overwhelming. To suddenly experience symptoms such as hyperventilation, nausea, an intense feeling of approaching doom, rapid heart rate, chills, or dizziness in the midst of a non-threatening situation will send most people rushing to their medical care provider.

Armed with the latest research, that provider may very well suggest biofeedback training as one way of helping to alleviate those symptoms. Here’s a basic explanation of what happens when a panic attack strikes and how training the patient in EEG biofeedback exercises can relieve the duration and intensity of the symptoms.

Although the medical world once dismissed panic attack symptoms as the result of an emotional disorder, it is now known that panic attack episodes can happen to anyone, and the physical symptoms are real and devastating. To the person in the midst of a panic attack, immediate relief is imperative.  Learning to retrain brain waves through biofeedback can help provide that relief.

EEG biofeedback training, a process in use since the 1960s, involves retraining brain waves to normal activity via customized training exercises. It is completely non-invasive and allows the patient to avoid the possible long-term and immediate side effects of psychopharmaceuticals.

While the exact causes of panic attacks have not yet been pinpointed, individuals experiencing episodes will display abnormal brain wave activity when measured by an EEG (electroencephalogram). Learning how to retrain the brain as abnormal electrical activity between cells (brain waves) begins to occur, may be useful in preventing a full-blown panic attack.

How, exactly, would that training look? Summed up briefly, the doctor will perform preliminary testing to establish where in the brain the abnormal activity is occurring. Using that information, training exercises using visual or auditory stimuli will commence.

The patient who has suffered a panic attack might be shown an image on a computer screen, or be introduced to a sound, that indicates, during a series of exercises, normal brain waves have been achieved. The patient is actually learning methods of retraining their own brain waves back into normal rhythms.

Once that skill is gained, the prospect of another panic attack can be much less frightening, as the patient knows they have the tools to normalize their own brain activity. All this can be accomplished without medication or invasive procedures.

Experiencing the symptoms of a panic attack can drastically change a person’s outlook on life, but it doesn’t have to. That same person can experience significant relief from subsequent episodes when guided to the tools available to them through EEG biofeedback training.

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR PANIC ATTACKS AND ANXIETY

Abdominal Migraine Treatment for Children

When children complain of stomach pain, you don't instantly think about migraines. However, in a tiny number of children severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, these symptoms are actually an indication they suffer from a form of migraine that often occurs in childhood, called an “abdominal migraine.” Abdominal migraine treatment for children must include ruling out other possible causes of severe digestive upset, and discovering what works well for the individual child.

Before talking about abdominal migraine treatment options, it’s important to understand precisely what children with abdominal migraines experience. The signs and symptoms are rarely present in adults, but children with this particular type of migraine frequently go onto have migraine headaches in their adult years. The most typical signs and symptoms of the condition are intense pain in the abdomen, accompanied by vomiting and nausea. Occasionally headache pain also occurs, usually localized behind the eyes. The child might also appear lethargic or missing energy.

Although the exact causes of abdominal migraine symptoms remain unknown, it’s useful to determine which triggers them in people. Your child might be getting these symptoms because of one of the same triggers that often causes migraines in adults, like certain meals, insomnia, prescription stimulants, or demanding situations. Since the disorder is much more common in girls and women, could also be a hormonal connection; however, more research with that connection is needed.

Regarding abdominal migraine treatment for children, traditional migraine medicines, like Inderal, are occasionally used to help prevent further episodes. To alleviate an abdominal migraine episode, the physician might recommend both NSAIDs, like ibuprofen, to alleviate the headache, in addition to anti-emetic drugs to manage vomiting and nausea. Interestingly, sleep frequently relieves the signs and symptoms. The issue is reducing the child’s cyclic vomiting, headache, and anxiety enough that they can fall asleep.

A recent development in abdominal migraine treatment has been the recognition that the pain of migraines (and possibly abdominal migraines) is triggered by irregular electrical activity within the brain. Biofeedback therapy is becoming increasingly recognized for its potential to reduce the regularity and concentration of abdominal migraine signs and symptoms. Through electroencephalographic (EEG) biofeedback, the individual is trained to create brainwave activity back to normal rhythm.

Although the reason for these painful signs and symptoms isn't fully known, abdominal migraine treatment may take several forms. It often includes preventive medication, medication for relief of pain and other GI symptoms, or biofeedback therapy. A combination of these treatment types is often the best approach to abdominal migraine treatment in children.

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Reasons for Insomnia and How to Find Relief

The inability to sleep is one of the most vexing conditions in the human experience. It is written about in the Bible and in literature from around the world. Leonardo Da Vinci said, “A well-spent day brings happy sleep.” But does it really? For most people, not being able to fall asleep sets their world on edge, at least temporarily during some point in their lives.

What, exactly, is the reason so many people struggle to sleep well? An investigation into the reasons for insomnia begins with an explanation of the common types of sleeplessness. Some people struggle to fall asleep. They may lay awake well into the night, or if they are shift workers, during the daytime when they should be sleeping. Others will fall asleep quickly, but then will wake up several times during the night. Still others may be awakened by noises or other environmental factors and then be unable to go back to sleep, or they may wake up too early.

Whatever form insomnia takes, it has an impact on health, emotions, and productivity unless a remedy is found. What are the reasons for sleeplessness? The most common reasons for insomnia are:

·         Poor sleep habits

·         Overuse of caffeine and other stimulants

·         Chronic pain

·         Drug or alcohol addiction

·         Emotional disturbance, like anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder

·         Side effects of medication

·         Physical conditions such as apnea, COPD, or acid reflux

These are not all the reasons a person might have trouble sleeping. Chronic, long-term insomnia can be the result of a serious medical condition that requires consulting a physician; however, for most people there are changes that can be made that will allow them to sleep well. For example, they can change habits like watching television in bed (overstimulation) or not keeping a regular sleep schedule. The body’s circadian rhythms may be trying to move them to a sleepy state, but if they stay up late one night, go to bed immediately following dinner the next, and so forth without a regular bedtime that rhythm may be out of sync.

Another important change that can be made to promote sleep is avoiding caffeine in coffee or energy drinks in the evening. Illicit stimulant drugs like methamphetamines will disrupt the sleep cycle for days at a time. Some prescription medications also have the unfortunate side effect of insomnia. A doctor can recommend an alternate medication if necessary.

Two more reasons for insomnia are physical or emotional illness. It is well documented that conditions like anxiety and depression cause sleep disruption. If one of these is suspected, a doctor or therapist can provide help with therapy, alternate treatments like biofeedback training or, if necessary, medication. Some physical conditions like asthma and apnea cause the sufferer to wake suddenly when the body isn’t getting enough oxygen. This is a serious symptom that needs medical attention.

And, finally, the chronic pain of such illnesses as cancer or rheumatoid arthritis can disrupt the sleep cycle. If that is the case, the patient can ask their health care provider for a remedy with the least side effects.

Thomas Dekker said, “Sleep is that golden chain that ties health and our bodies together.” This is wisdom, indeed, as no one can function well without adequate sleep. By first making environmental changes and then consulting their health care provider if the insomnia persists, the balance of sleep and wakefulness can be restored.

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR INSOMNIA AND SLEEP DISORDERS

Natural Remedies for Headaches – Try Acupressure

Suffering from headache pain caused by tension in the head and neck can be more than an annoyance; it can impact your ability to study, work, and generally be at the top of your game in life. If your medical care provider has determined that your tension headaches don’t have a more serious underlying cause and you don’t want to take pain medication, there are natural remedies for headaches that may bring relief.

One of the most interesting is acupressure, the application of pressure via the thumbs and fingers (most commonly) to ‘acupoints’ in the body. The practice of acupressure comes from traditional Chinese medicine and is based on the concept of meridians located throughout the body along which energy flows.

According to TCM practitioners, pressure at acupoints along those meridians releases blocked energy and reduces the surrounding tension. At the same time, endorphins are being released to relieve the pain associated with the blockage. They also believe that acupressure can enhance necessary bodily functions like digestion and sleep.

In particular the acupoints located at the base of the skull on either side of the neck are favored for relieving headache pain. It is believed that energy must flow freely through these gateways to the mind in order for a person to function well.

In one acupressure exercise known to relieve tension headaches, the practitioner will place her thumbs against these acupoints and press firmly in toward the center of the skull. As you allow your head to drop slowly back, inhaling as you do, she will continue to maintain pressure. The acupressure is released as you exhale and slowly bring the head all the way forward to hang loosely.

As natural remedies for headaches go, acupressure moves such as this are safe, non-invasive, and easy to learn. If you were practicing this on yourself just now, you have just completed one of the many soothing yet energizing acupressure routines a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner can help you to learn.

Tension headaches are a reality of life. When they become frequent and painful enough to disrupt your usual routine, you might want to investigate acupressure; it is one of the most intriguing natural remedies for headaches.

NATURAL REMEDIES: NEUROFEEDBACK THERAPY FOR HEADACHES

How to Locate the Right Therapist For Your Child

When your child’s symptoms indicate a need for therapy due to a mental or emotional condition, it can seem quite difficult to find the person best suited for the task. A medical doctor or school counselor may have offered a referral, and that’s a good place to start, but it’s important to locate a therapist who is a good fit for your child.

We’ll first deal with the questions you can use to filter your search. It’s appropriate, as you make inquiries, to ask what experience the therapist has in treating your child’s specific disorder. For your own comfort level, it’s also important to know the method of treatment they will be employing. Will they rely primarily on medication to relieve your child’s symptoms? Are they open to alternative therapies like biofeedback? Asking those kinds of questions during your research can help you better understand the qualifications and background of individual therapists.

As you begin your search for the right therapist for your child, you have several sources of information at your disposal. Most medical society directories have ratings and background information on doctors in every type of practice.

If you are in a support group for parents whose children have a specific condition, asking other parents about their experiences with therapists can be helpful. As mentioned previously, your child’s medical doctor can provide information on therapists that patients have been referred to in the past. In the same way, the counselor at your child’s school may be able to provide details about child therapists to which students have been referred.

Another source of information regarding therapists is the abundance of directories available online. Some directories are maintained by professional organizations to which therapists may belong. Others may offer clinicians the opportunity to provide detailed profiles with their education, licensing, and areas of specialty to prospective clients.

It is helpful to know, as you read through a therapist’s profile, what their credentials indicate, because counseling professionals come from varied educational backgrounds. LCMFT, for example, indicates the therapist is a Licensed Clinical Marriage & Family Therapist.  The credentials LCPC mean that the therapist is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with a Masters degree in psychology. LMSW would indicate they are a Licensed Master Social Worker.

Regardless of credentials, the therapist who is right for your child is the one who employs effective strategies to bring relief. Do your homework, choose the therapist you believe will relate best to your child and look forward to a brighter future for your child.

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What Are Memory Loss Tests

A memory loss test examines numerous areas connected to memory loss, including physical and cognitive damage. This test might reveal the reasons for loss of memory, and it may aid doctors in developing a suitable and efficient treatment plan.

Generally a memory loss test begins with an evaluation from the patient’s health background. This generally addresses the type of memory loss and how it has advanced. It will also look at triggering factors, such as injuries or a distressing event, and if there is a family history of this type. There are several reasons for memory loss:

• Growths or infections
• Mind trauma or injuries
• Surgical complications
• Dietary problems
• Depression, bipolar-disorder, or panic disorders
• Alcohol or substance abuse

The next phase is generally a physical examination to check on physical function, reflexes, central nervous system, and brain health. Various tests, such as an MRI or CT scan, may be scheduled to look for brain damage or irregularities. Cognitive exams are frequently conducted, which enables a physician to determine the patient’s judgment, thought designs, and short and long-term memory. A memory loss test can help to understand the extent and possibly the reason for loss of memory. They additionally help your physician to develop the appropriate treatment needed.

Treatment

Following a thorough memory loss test, a physician will frequently be able to determine an appropriate treatment plan, which could include:

• Cognitive therapy - This treatment is generally completed with a therapist and studies have proven that psychotherapy can be quite useful as loss of memory therapy.
  
• Work therapy - This therapy trains patients to learn new information to replace what was lost.
  
• Neurofeedback therapy - This therapy utilizes a computer to retrain dysregulated brainwaves to a more structured pattern. Research has proven that neurofeedback works well in helping with loss of memory.

If you are suffering from loss of memory and you need to get help, a memory loss test is a step in the right direction. Talk to your physician regarding your treatment, and see if a memory loss test is right for you.

NEUROFEEDBACK THERAPY FOR MEMORY LOSS

Gentle Relief with EMDR Therapy

Treatment of patients traumatized by painful memories can be a lengthy process. Fortunately, the introduction of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has dramatically reduced the time required to assist patients in processing trauma and moving forward to emotional recovery.

EMDR therapy is based on the results of years of credible research and is approved as therapeutic for treating traumatized patients by such organizations as the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Therapists trained in EMDR techniques lead their patients through remembering the traumatic event and then allowing the mind to reframe it in a healthy, positive way. As this multi-step process is being followed, the patient is also taught eye movement techniques that encourage the release of the painful memories being stored in the memory areas of the brain.

The above is a very simple explanation for a complex process that occurs within the brain. To better understand the startling success rate of EMDR therapy, consider that during dreaming, when the brain is processing old memories and recent events, the eyes are in constant movement known as REM (rapid eye movement.) The development of EMDR is, in some ways, an extension of that natural process.

Careful training is required for clinicians to assist the person suffering from the after effects of trauma to break free from destructive behaviors, depression, frozen emotions, and anxiety. The careful coordination of eye movements (or in some cases other stimuli) with this process is crucial. For that reason, this training is restricted to licensed medical or social work professionals with advanced education in the provision of mental health services.

From the patient’s viewpoint, EMDR therapy can allow them to make great strides in a shorter time period. With proper preparation and guidance, they can recall the painful events triggering their emotional disturbance and then learn to see them in a different way. The gentle, non-invasive relief that EMDR offers can release them from the troubling symptoms that caused them to seek help in the first place.

EMDR therapy has been beneficial to thousands of patients in relieving the long-term effects of trauma. It does not involve medication and is practiced by well-trained, licensed professionals. The significance of the mind/body connection that is the basis for this form of treatment is still being explored and may offer hope for even more forms of emotional dysfunction in the future.

ATERNATIVE MEDICINE: NEUROFEEDBACK THERAPY FOR NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS