Panic attacks can be debilitating events - so extreme in their symptoms that those suffering may believe they're suffering from something far worse than an anxiety disorder. In fact, panic attacks often mimic very serious health problems, including:

• Heart Attacks
• Brain Tumors
• Multiple Sclerosis

Thousands of people are hospitalized every year after their first or most severe panic attack, believing that something very serious is happening. Many believe that they're about to die.

But the truth is that these people are simply suffering from a panic attack - a rush of anxiety so extreme that it causes severe physical symptoms.

Causes of Panic Attack Symptoms

One of the first questions people ask is why something like anxiety can cause these types of symptoms. After all, it's not the anxiety that makes panic attacks unbearable - it's the very real, physical sensations that give the impression something is very wrong with your health.

Panic attacks are very complex, and not all of the causes are known. Some of the reasons for having a panic attack may be:

• Hyperventilation Hyperventilation is commonly associated with panic attacks. It may be caused by breathing too quickly, breathing too deeply, or breathing in a shallow manner.
• Major Stress Panic attacks are correlated with major stress, especially after a traumatic event such as a physical assault, divorce, death, or other stressful life event has occurred. Major stress is associated with increased heart rate, nausea, headache and more.
• Genetics A family history of panic attacks or panic disorder can often be found in those that suffer from panic disorder. Anxiety is a stressful experience and prolonged stress can cause cortisol levels to rise in the brain. When cortisol levels are elevated for long periods of time it can actually make changes to the brain’s chemistry. Some research has found that these changes can actually be passed down through genetics.

Finally, another issue that affects those with panic attacks is hypersensitivity. This occurs when you experience a normal (or close to normal) sensation, and it "feels" much worse. For example, experiencing a normal amount of leg pain but feeling as though your leg is in a great deal of pain. This is common for those with panic disorder.

Panic Attack Symptoms

Panic attacks can cause a variety of symptoms. Some people feel like they can't swallow, or that their tongue is swollen. Others may feel like their legs or arms want to move without their control. These are not the most common symptoms, but they can still affect those with panic disorder. The most common symptoms include:

• Pounding and/or rapid heartbeat.
• Heart pressure, or feeling like it's being squeezed.
• Chest pains - often sharp and near the heart.
• Hot flashes and sweating.
• Trouble breathing, as though you can't get a full breath.
• Lightheadedness, possibly with feelings of faint.
• Trouble thinking, as though your brain isn't working properly.
• Weakness, tingling, burning, or numbness in the arms, legs, and fingers.
• Dizziness and trouble standing.
• Burning sensations throughout the skin.
• Near debilitating feeling of doom - like you're about to die, or the world is about to end.
• Trouble focusing on anything other than your symptoms.
• Feeling like you need to escape or get to a doctor.
• Problems with hearing, possibly like your ears are plugged.
• Burping, bloating, or other forms of gas.
• Yawning or feeling like you need to expand your chest.
• Eye strain or changes to your vision clarity.
• Overwhelming fear.
• Depersonalization, or the feeling as though you're outside of yourself.
• Nausea, often with stomach pain or discomfort.
• Pressure in your head, possibly with headache.

Not everyone experiences these symptoms with each panic attack, nor do these symptoms indicate a panic attack is coming. But these are some of the most common symptoms that may occur during an attack.