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What Causes Severe Abdominal Discomfort, Cold Sweats, Breathlessness And Diarrhea?
Question: i woke up in the middle of the night with my intestines churning. Before I knew it, I broke out in a cold sweat, became extremely faint, short of breath, awful diarrhea, shaking and then the palms of my hands started itching so badly. This lasted around 3 hrs. I was soaked with sweat, lost control of my diarrhea and never made it to the toilet because I just knew I would pass out. Help! This happens to me often. I had a similar incident last month at work. I did have control of my bowels (thank God) but after I had been to the bathroom, the other symptoms started. I was brought to the hospital by ambulance and was told I had a syncope episode. My blood pressure dropped at one point to 70/34! Normal ekg, stress test and echo cardiogram. Help! I am terrified this will happen again at work but I will lose control of my bowels and have diarrhea all over their bathroom!
Brief Answer:
Can be panic attack.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks choosing HealthcareMagic for your query.
Have gone through your details and i appreciate your concerns.
See qfter going through your narration i feel that it can be a presentation of panic attack.
A panic attack is the result of a sudden enormous burst of fear and anxiety;Though the exact cause is not yet known.
Symptoms are usually sudden in onset.It takes about 15 minutes to reach its peak and typically may last for about few hours.
Some symptoms are highly specific for patients suffering from panic disorfer and they are-
Profound sweating
Hyperventilation
Fear of losing control of life
Feeling of detachment from the surrounding
A choked feeling
Heart palpitation
Sudden cold flashes and tingling sensation
Severe gastric upset.
As per your narration most of them are present at time if attacks in your case.
Now lets move to your diarrhoea.
See during a panic attack a nerve named vagus is stimulated causing increased rate of persitalsis and loss of control over anal sphincter resulting in loose stools and fecal incontinence during that period.
Initially i would suggest you to go for an ultrasound abdomen and a stool test(To rule out possibility of any chronic infection in intestines).
If they are normal my diagnosis would be that you are having panic attacks.
Panic attacks are very well treatable by proper cognitive therapy and Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors with Benzodiazepenes for few months.
A pyschiatric consultation in person should be done to start you on therapy with Paroxetine as well as Benzodiazepenes.
I hope i adressed your query well.
Please feel free to follow up.
Thanks!
Can be panic attack.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks choosing HealthcareMagic for your query.
Have gone through your details and i appreciate your concerns.
See qfter going through your narration i feel that it can be a presentation of panic attack.
A panic attack is the result of a sudden enormous burst of fear and anxiety;Though the exact cause is not yet known.
Symptoms are usually sudden in onset.It takes about 15 minutes to reach its peak and typically may last for about few hours.
Some symptoms are highly specific for patients suffering from panic disorfer and they are-
Profound sweating
Hyperventilation
Fear of losing control of life
Feeling of detachment from the surrounding
A choked feeling
Heart palpitation
Sudden cold flashes and tingling sensation
Severe gastric upset.
As per your narration most of them are present at time if attacks in your case.
Now lets move to your diarrhoea.
See during a panic attack a nerve named vagus is stimulated causing increased rate of persitalsis and loss of control over anal sphincter resulting in loose stools and fecal incontinence during that period.
Initially i would suggest you to go for an ultrasound abdomen and a stool test(To rule out possibility of any chronic infection in intestines).
If they are normal my diagnosis would be that you are having panic attacks.
Panic attacks are very well treatable by proper cognitive therapy and Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors with Benzodiazepenes for few months.
A pyschiatric consultation in person should be done to start you on therapy with Paroxetine as well as Benzodiazepenes.
I hope i adressed your query well.
Please feel free to follow up.
Thanks!
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
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