If you think panic attacks in broad daylight are horrifying, then I guess you will find night-time panic attacks the same, or maybe much worse.
Night-time or nocturnal panic attacks obviously strike while you are asleep. Your body wakes up with a fright for no known reason. The experience of panic is so sudden and dreadful that you wonÃt know what hit you until the symptoms subside. As with daytime panic attacks, you will be experiencing a pounding heartbeat, sweating, shaking, smothering or shortness of breath, feeling of choking, chest pain or discomfort, nausea or abdominal distress, feeling dizzy or faint, feelings of unreality, fear of going crazy, fear of dying, numbness, and chills or hot flushes. These symptoms are quite frightening and may copy those of a heart attack. However, you need not worry much because these symptoms will do you nothing more than scare you.
Nocturnal panic attacks are the extension of the panic disorder experienced during the day. It comes out when the body switches from light sleep to deep sleep, stages I and II, respectively. Sometimes, people with nocturnal panic attacks blame these attacks on bad dreams. But researchers contest this hypothesis considering that nightmares occur during the late and fourth stage of sleep (REM), while nocturnal panic attacks surface earlier.
Causes
The exact causes of these attacks are still unknown but theories have emerged to some of the more possible causes. Included are the presence of underlying disorders like obstructive sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is believed to lead to nocturnal panic attacks. This sleep disorder, which is common among over weights and transpires when breathing during sleep becomes shallow or stops, shares similar symptoms with nocturnal panic attacks. The pauses in breathing which can amount to 5 to 30 times per hour alter the regular breathing pattern and causes a decrease in oxygen level in the body. To compensate for this decrease in oxygen supply, the heart pumps faster leading to a sudden burst of stress hormones. This whole process of compensation could then cause the sudden panicked awakening feature of nocturnal panic attacks.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
GERD or acid reflux is a condition in which the acidic digestive juices of the stomach regurgitate into the esophagus. These acidic juices damage the esophageal lining that causes burning chest sensation. This chest discomfort can be so bad it awakens you from your sleep causing labored breathing and even hyperventilation. These symptoms can trigger a surge in anxiety which can turn into a nocturnal panic attack.
Nocturnal panic attacks can greatly affect your quality of life. If you want to overcome these attacks, it is best that you see your doctor as soon as you experience the terrifying symptoms.
