When Anxiety Sends You Running for Cover
If you find yourself flooded with feelings of anxiety, it could be a normal response to your current situation. However, persistent and excessive feelings of fear and worry over common situations could be the sign of a growing anxiety disorder. Fears that turn into panic mode are commonly called panic attacks. If left untreated, anxiety disorders and panic attacks can have adverse effects on your physical health. Because anxiety is linked to number of health conditions, our board-certified physicians at Medco ER & Urgent Care of Plano recommend a thorough evaluation to rule out any additional health issues.
“Panic attacks and feelings of anxiety, danger or impending doom can be deeply disturbing to the patient, but they are not always serious,” said Medco ER & Urgent Care’s Medical Director, Dr. Tariq Vora. “However, anxiety could be an indicator that something more serious is going on with the body. Therefore, getting a thorough medical examination is an important step to rule out a more serious medical condition before attributing it to a form of anxiety.”
Anxiety disorders are common among adults. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 19% of adults in the United States have suffered from an anxiety disorder in the past year. “Don’t suffer in silence,” said Dr. Vora. “Anxiety is a rather common problem and Medco ER has a friendly staff that is available to help and to provide mental reassurance in times of need.”
What are the symptoms of anxiety?
- Excessive worrying about common things
- Feeling nervous
- Emotional outbursts
- Restlessness
- Tension in muscles, trembling, twitching or cramping
- Concentration problems
- Feeling of doom
- Irritability
- Increased heart rate or palpitations
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Hyperventilation
- Abdominal cramps and diarrhea
- Sweating
What kind of health conditions can be caused by anxiety?
The human body usually responds to anxiety by releasing increased level of Adrenaline & Cortisol. Prolonged exposure to these hormones can lead to certain conditions over the course of time such as:
- Hormonal imbalance
- Elevated blood pressure
- Insulin resistance
- Increased blood sugar
- Altered food digestion
- Suppressed immune response
- Heart palpitations
- Heart disease
- Hair loss
- Impaired concentration & memory
- Depression
- Eating disorders
What health conditions can be mistaken for anxiety disorders?
Many types of ailments can manifest with symptoms suggestive of anxiety rather than a more serious health problem. Here are a few underlying conditions that your physician may check for during a medical evaluation:
- Hormone imbalance – thyroid imbalance
- Nutrition deficiency or malabsorption
- Alzheimer’s
- Blood disorders such as leukemia
- Lupus
- Fibromyalgia
- Electrolyte imbalance
Treatment for common anxiety
If your physician at Medco ER & Urgent Care determines you are suffering from anxiety, he/she can prescribe you a medication to treat it so you do not have to fight it on your own. You may be referred to a specialist for therapy or counseling that can help you feel even better. If your anxiety has caused physical symptoms, do not hesitate to receive immediate medical attention. “Whether anxiety is related to a physical condition or not, it is usually treatable,” said Dr. Vora. “So don’t feel discouraged. And feel free to come to us for help any time of the day or night.”
When should I go to the ER?
If you feel like your worrying is out of control, if you are experiencing difficulty breathing, palpitations or chest pain, or if you feel depressed or suicidal, come to the nearest ER immediately. At Medco ER & Urgent Care, we offer some of the best medical care in the region and we are open 24/7 to help you start to feel better again.
- Plano location:
3960 Legacy Drive, Plano TX 75023 (on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road)
Call us @ 469-392-4000
What You Need To Know About Breathing Difficulties
Struggling to breathe or becoming short of breath is often a cause for alarm. But even while trying hard to breathe, many people wonder if their condition warrants a trip to the ER. At Medco ER & Urgent Care, we’re here 24/7 when you’re having trouble breathing, and we can examine you right away.
“Breathing problems, whether brought on by asthma, allergies or even an unknown problem, should not be ignored,” said Medco ER & Urgent Care’s Regional Medical Director, Dr. Tariq Vora. “It’s best to be seen immediately by an experienced medical provider with expertise in Emergency Medicine. Shortness of breath may be a life threatening issue that should be addressed immediately.”
Symptoms Associated with Breathing Difficulties
When you or your loved one is experiencing difficulty breathing, it is important to seek immediate medical attention. If you have any doubt, go to the nearest Medco ER & Urgent Care or the nearest emergency room. Some of the symptoms that indicate it is time to go to the ER include:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating and weakness
- Wheezing
- Excessive Coughing
- Fever & chills
- Muscle aches
- Exhaustion
- Sore throat
- Blue tinge
- Faster breathing rate
- Heart palpitations
Causes of Shortness of Breath
Some of the common causes include:
- Asthma
- Allergic reaction
- Stress and anxiety
- Pneumonia
- Heart attack
- Croup
- COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Epiglottitis
- Pulmonary embolism caused by a blood clot
“By far the most common cause of breathing difficulties that we treat is Asthma,” said Dr. Vora. “However, you must be examined by a healthcare provider to rule out even more serious causes of shortness of breath.”
What to Do On the Way to Medco ER
When you are struggling to breath and you’re on the way to the ER, you’ll want to know what you can do to increase your oxygen intake. The most important thing to do is to slow your heart rate by remaining calm and relaxed. Take slow, deep breaths and focus on staying calm. If you have a prescribed inhaler-type medication, use it according to the directions.
Diagnostics and Treatment
The physician will need to review your medical history and perform a physical examination of your lungs, heart and airways. He/she may also perform a chest X-ray, CT scan, blood tests, electrocardiogram (EKG), or pulmonary function test to determine the exact cause of your breathing problems.
Once the cause is identified, your physician will determine the best course of treatment, which may vary from a simple breathing treatment to advanced medications administered through an IV line.
Get Fast Treatment at Medco ER & Urgent Care
When your breathing becomes labored and you’re not getting enough oxygen, come to Medco ER right away. Our board-certified physicians are always ready for any emergency and have the oxygen therapy and diagnostic equipment standing by to provide fast help right when you need it the most.
- Plano: 3960 Legacy Drive on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road.
Call us @ 469-392-4000.