Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Anxiety
Question: I have been suffering all the anxiety signs since having a few faint spells. i.e. lightheaded, heavy arms and legs etc etc I spoke to a doctor on here last week who said it sounded like anxiety. However today my index finger went numb for about a minute until I shook it. My Doctor says my faint spells were probably caused by a low heart rate and the fact I dont eat breakfast!
Brief Answer:
Vasovagal syncope is a possibility.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to Healthcare Magic!
Anxiety can be a cause of your symptoms, but usually people do not need a doctor to tell them that they are anxious. In other words, if your symptoms were due to anxiety, you would have yourself realized that you were feeling anxious along with the other symptoms. If you do not recall feeling anxious before these episodes, I would suggest that rather than attributing it to anxiety, let us first think if any other cause may be responsible. The other thing is that anxiety is associated with increase in heart beat. So if your heart beat was low during these episodes, that again is a point against anxiety.
Vaso-vagal syncope is a common cause of fainting spells. It occurs when the part of your nervous system that regulates heart rate and blood pressure malfunctions in response to a trigger, such as prolonged standing. Your heart rate slows, and the blood vessels in your legs widen. This allows blood to pool in your legs, which lowers your blood pressure. This drop in blood pressure and slowed heart rate quickly diminish blood flow to your brain, and you faint. Since you already have low heart rate, you are more prone to vasovagal syncope.
Common triggers for vasovagal syncope include:
Standing for long periods of time
Heat exposure
The sight of blood
Having blood drawn
Fear of bodily injury
Straining, such as to have a bowel movement
There is plenty of material on the internet about vasovagal syncope. In my opinion, please give it a thought before starting any treatment for anxiety.
I hope this helps you. Please feel free to ask in case you need any clarifications.
Best wishes.
Dr Preeti Parakh
MD Psychiatry
Vasovagal syncope is a possibility.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to Healthcare Magic!
Anxiety can be a cause of your symptoms, but usually people do not need a doctor to tell them that they are anxious. In other words, if your symptoms were due to anxiety, you would have yourself realized that you were feeling anxious along with the other symptoms. If you do not recall feeling anxious before these episodes, I would suggest that rather than attributing it to anxiety, let us first think if any other cause may be responsible. The other thing is that anxiety is associated with increase in heart beat. So if your heart beat was low during these episodes, that again is a point against anxiety.
Vaso-vagal syncope is a common cause of fainting spells. It occurs when the part of your nervous system that regulates heart rate and blood pressure malfunctions in response to a trigger, such as prolonged standing. Your heart rate slows, and the blood vessels in your legs widen. This allows blood to pool in your legs, which lowers your blood pressure. This drop in blood pressure and slowed heart rate quickly diminish blood flow to your brain, and you faint. Since you already have low heart rate, you are more prone to vasovagal syncope.
Common triggers for vasovagal syncope include:
Standing for long periods of time
Heat exposure
The sight of blood
Having blood drawn
Fear of bodily injury
Straining, such as to have a bowel movement
There is plenty of material on the internet about vasovagal syncope. In my opinion, please give it a thought before starting any treatment for anxiety.
I hope this helps you. Please feel free to ask in case you need any clarifications.
Best wishes.
Dr Preeti Parakh
MD Psychiatry
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
The thing is I never fainted as I put my head between my legs before it happened. But since eating breakfast everyday I feel a lot better. I had pins and needles in my hand last week for about a minute after a hot shower and today just the top of my middle finger for a minute. Can a low heart rate cause bad circulation?
Brief Answer:
Yes
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
That your episodes could be averted by putting your head between the legs supports the possibility of vasovagal syncope. Lowering the head increases the blood supply to the brain.
Low heart rate can cause circulation related problems sometimes. In fact, cardiologists do not treat low heart rate unless it is causing people to feel faint or other problems. The circulatory problems, if any, are usually in extremities like hands and feet. Taking lots of water and adequate nutrition helps by ensuring that that the blood pressure does not fall too much. In my opinion, there is no need to worry. Continue to take your meals on time. Avoid dehydration. If you ever feel faint, just sit down or lie down.
Pins and needles can also occur due to compression of the nerve supplying the area, so just try to remember if you had been sitting in the same posture for some time before the episode occurred. Transient pins and needles are very common and almost everyone experiences it some time or the other.
Best wishes.
Dr Preeti Parakh
MD Psychiatry
Yes
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
That your episodes could be averted by putting your head between the legs supports the possibility of vasovagal syncope. Lowering the head increases the blood supply to the brain.
Low heart rate can cause circulation related problems sometimes. In fact, cardiologists do not treat low heart rate unless it is causing people to feel faint or other problems. The circulatory problems, if any, are usually in extremities like hands and feet. Taking lots of water and adequate nutrition helps by ensuring that that the blood pressure does not fall too much. In my opinion, there is no need to worry. Continue to take your meals on time. Avoid dehydration. If you ever feel faint, just sit down or lie down.
Pins and needles can also occur due to compression of the nerve supplying the area, so just try to remember if you had been sitting in the same posture for some time before the episode occurred. Transient pins and needles are very common and almost everyone experiences it some time or the other.
Best wishes.
Dr Preeti Parakh
MD Psychiatry
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
