What are the side effects of choking. How can strangulation impact health. Why is non-fatal strangulation so dangerous. What are the signs and symptoms of strangulation. How common is strangulation in domestic violence. What should you do if you’ve been strangled.

The Hidden Dangers of Strangulation

Strangulation, a severe form of physical abuse, occurs when an individual applies pressure to another person’s neck or chest, impeding their ability to breathe. This act is incredibly dangerous and can have long-lasting consequences, even if the victim survives the initial assault. Many people underestimate the severity of strangulation, but it’s crucial to understand its potential impacts on physical and mental health.

What exactly is strangulation?

Strangulation involves applying pressure to the neck or chest, cutting off blood flow to the brain or air supply to the lungs. This can happen through various means, including using hands, arms, or objects like cords or clothing. Even a few seconds of oxygen deprivation can cause serious harm.

Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Strangulation

Identifying strangulation can be challenging, as visible signs may not always be present. However, there are several indicators to watch for:

• Loss of consciousness or passing out
• Memory loss or confusion about the assault
• Petechiae (small red or purple dots) on the face, scalp, eyes, ears, or nose
• Burst blood vessels in the eyes
• Voice changes and difficulty speaking, swallowing, or breathing
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Vision changes

It’s important to note that visible injuries only appear in about 50% of strangulation cases. This means that even if there are no apparent signs, the victim may still have suffered serious internal damage.

The Immediate and Long-Term Health Consequences

Strangulation can lead to a wide range of health issues, both immediate and long-term. Some of these consequences may not become apparent until days or weeks after the incident.

What are the potential immediate effects of strangulation?

Immediate effects can include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Loss of consciousness
• Severe pain in the neck or throat
• Difficulty swallowing
• Vomiting
• Involuntary urination or defecation

What long-term health issues can arise from strangulation?

Long-term consequences may include:

• Stroke
• Cardiac arrest
• Miscarriage
• Incontinence
• Seizures
• Paralysis
• Speech disorders
• Chronic headaches
• Memory problems
• Depression and anxiety
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

These long-term effects highlight the importance of seeking medical attention even if the victim feels fine immediately after the incident.

Strangulation in the Context of Domestic Violence

Strangulation is alarmingly common in cases of domestic violence. It’s a form of abuse that carries a high risk of fatality and is often used as a means of control and intimidation.

How prevalent is strangulation in domestic violence cases?

According to statistics from the Office of Family Safety in Nashville:

• In 2021, 52% of clients who answered the Danger Assessment indicated that their partner had strangled them at some point in their relationship.
• Of those, 55% reported being strangled to the point of unconsciousness.
• 37% of domestic violence criminal defendants and Order of Protection respondents were flagged as stranglers.
• 56% of victims who answered the Lethality Assessment Protocol (LAP) indicated that their partner had strangled them.

These statistics underscore the prevalence of strangulation in abusive relationships and the urgent need for awareness and intervention.

The Misconception of ‘Safe’ Strangulation

There’s a dangerous misconception that there can be ‘safe’ strangulation, particularly in the context of consensual sexual activities. This notion is not only false but potentially lethal.

Why is the idea of ‘safe’ strangulation problematic?

The concept of ‘safe’ strangulation:

• Normalizes violence against women
• Can be used as a defense by abusers claiming ‘rough sex’
• Ignores the severe and unpredictable health risks associated with any form of strangulation
• May prevent victims from seeking necessary medical attention

It’s crucial to understand that there is no safe way to cut off someone’s air supply or blood flow to the brain. Any form of strangulation carries significant risks.

Seeking Medical Attention After Strangulation

If you or someone you know has experienced strangulation, it’s critical to seek immediate medical attention, even if there are no visible signs of injury.

What should you do if you’ve been strangled?

Follow these steps:

1. Go to a hospital emergency room immediately
2. Ask for a CTA (Computed Tomography Angiography) exam
3. Inform the medical staff about the strangulation incident, even if it occurred in the past
4. Document any symptoms you’re experiencing, no matter how minor they may seem
5. Consider speaking with a domestic violence advocate for support and resources

Remember, your health and safety are paramount. Don’t hesitate to seek help, even if the incident occurred some time ago.

Legal and Support Resources for Strangulation Victims

Victims of strangulation have access to various legal protections and support services. It’s important to be aware of these resources to ensure your safety and well-being.

What support is available for strangulation victims?

Support options include:

• Emergency medical services
• Domestic violence hotlines
• Legal aid for obtaining protective orders
• Counseling and therapy services
• Safe housing options
• Support groups for survivors

In Nashville, for example, the Office of Family Safety provides resources and support for victims of domestic violence, including those who have experienced strangulation. They offer danger assessments, safety planning, and connections to community support services.

Preventing Strangulation: Education and Awareness

Prevention of strangulation starts with education and awareness. By understanding the risks and recognizing the signs, we can work towards reducing the incidence of this dangerous form of abuse.

How can we prevent strangulation?

Prevention strategies include:

• Public education campaigns about the dangers of strangulation
• Training for healthcare providers and law enforcement to recognize signs of strangulation
• Implementing stricter laws and penalties for strangulation offenses
• Promoting healthy relationship education in schools
• Encouraging bystander intervention
• Supporting organizations that work with domestic violence victims

By raising awareness and taking action, we can work towards creating a society where strangulation and other forms of domestic violence are not tolerated.

The Role of Healthcare Providers in Addressing Strangulation

Healthcare providers play a crucial role in identifying, treating, and documenting cases of strangulation. Their expertise can be life-saving for victims and vital in legal proceedings against abusers.

How do healthcare providers address strangulation cases?

Healthcare providers can:

• Perform thorough physical examinations to detect signs of strangulation
• Order appropriate imaging tests, such as CTA scans
• Provide necessary medical treatment for injuries
• Document injuries and symptoms for legal purposes
• Offer referrals to mental health services and domestic violence support
• Provide follow-up care to monitor for delayed symptoms

It’s essential for healthcare providers to receive specialized training in recognizing and addressing strangulation cases to provide the best possible care for victims.

The Psychological Impact of Strangulation

Beyond the physical effects, strangulation can have severe psychological consequences for survivors. The trauma of such a life-threatening experience can lead to long-lasting mental health issues.

What are the psychological effects of strangulation?

Survivors may experience:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Depression
• Sleep disorders
• Fear of intimacy
• Difficulty trusting others
• Flashbacks and nightmares
• Suicidal thoughts

These psychological effects can persist long after physical symptoms have resolved, emphasizing the need for comprehensive mental health support for strangulation survivors.

Legal Implications of Strangulation

Strangulation is a serious crime with severe legal consequences. Understanding the legal aspects can empower victims and help in the prosecution of offenders.

What are the legal consequences of strangulation?

Legal implications may include:

• Felony charges in many jurisdictions
• Mandatory arrest policies in domestic violence cases involving strangulation
• Enhanced penalties for repeat offenders
• Use of expert testimony to explain the dangers of strangulation in court
• Consideration of strangulation history in child custody cases

Many states have specific laws addressing strangulation, recognizing its severity and potential lethality. These laws aim to protect victims and hold offenders accountable.

The Importance of Documentation in Strangulation Cases

Proper documentation of strangulation incidents is crucial for both medical treatment and legal proceedings. It can provide valuable evidence and help establish patterns of abuse.

How should strangulation incidents be documented?

Effective documentation includes:

• Detailed medical records of injuries and symptoms
• Photographs of visible injuries, taken over time to capture evolving bruises
• Written accounts of the incident from the victim
• Records of any police reports filed
• Documentation of ongoing symptoms and medical treatment
• Preservation of physical evidence, such as clothing or objects used in the assault

Thorough documentation can be crucial in building a case against an abuser and securing appropriate legal protections for the victim.

The Role of Community in Addressing Strangulation

Addressing the issue of strangulation requires a community-wide effort. From friends and family to community organizations and local government, everyone has a role to play in preventing and responding to this form of abuse.

How can the community help address strangulation?

Community efforts can include:

• Supporting local domestic violence shelters and organizations
• Participating in awareness campaigns about the dangers of strangulation
• Encouraging open discussions about healthy relationships
• Providing support and resources to victims
• Advocating for stronger laws and policies addressing strangulation
• Training community members to recognize signs of abuse and how to intervene safely

By working together, communities can create a safer environment and provide crucial support for victims of strangulation and other forms of domestic violence.

Rehabilitation and Recovery After Strangulation

Recovery from strangulation can be a long and challenging process, involving both physical healing and psychological recovery. A comprehensive approach to rehabilitation is essential for survivors.

What does rehabilitation after strangulation involve?

Rehabilitation may include:

• Ongoing medical care to address physical symptoms
• Physical therapy to manage any resulting motor function issues
• Speech therapy if voice or swallowing problems persist
• Cognitive rehabilitation for memory or concentration issues
• Psychological counseling to address trauma and mental health concerns
• Support groups for survivors
• Occupational therapy to help with return to daily activities and work

Each survivor’s journey is unique, and rehabilitation plans should be tailored to individual needs and circumstances. With proper support and care, many survivors can make significant progress in their recovery.

The Impact of Strangulation on Children

Strangulation in domestic violence situations can have profound effects on children, whether they are direct victims or witnesses to such abuse. Understanding these impacts is crucial for providing appropriate support and intervention.

How does strangulation affect children in abusive households?

Children may experience:

• Trauma from witnessing or experiencing strangulation
• Increased risk of developing PTSD
• Behavioral problems and difficulties in school
• Higher likelihood of becoming victims or perpetrators of abuse in the future
• Developmental delays due to chronic stress
• Difficulty forming healthy relationships

Addressing the needs of children in households where strangulation occurs is crucial for breaking the cycle of violence and promoting long-term health and well-being.

Technological Advancements in Detecting and Treating Strangulation

As our understanding of strangulation improves, so do the technologies used to detect and treat its effects. These advancements are crucial in providing better care for survivors and gathering evidence for legal proceedings.

What new technologies are being used in strangulation cases?

Emerging technologies include:

• Advanced imaging techniques to detect subtle internal injuries
• Forensic light sources to reveal bruising not visible to the naked eye
• DNA collection methods to gather evidence from the neck area
• Telemedicine platforms for remote follow-up care
• Virtual reality therapy for treating PTSD in survivors

These technological advancements offer hope for improved detection, treatment, and prosecution in cases of strangulation, potentially saving lives and bringing offenders to justice.

Strangulation – Office of Family Safety Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County

If you or someone you know has experienced strangulation or has had their breathing cut off in any way for any length of time, please go to a hospital emergency room right away and ask for a CTA exam, even if the strangulation occurred in the past.  You can also speak to an advocate at the Family Safety Center today at 615-880-1100.

Strangulation is a very dangerous form of abuse that occurs when someone blocks a person’s breathing by putting pressure on their neck or chest.  Watch our video below to learn more about the impact and risk of strangulation (in English & Spanish):

Signs and Symptoms of Strangulation

If you or someone you know has experienced strangulation, even for just a few seconds, please look at these possible signs and symptoms below and download our Strangulation Brochure to help you track these:

Strangulation Brochure     Folleto de Estrangulación (Spanish)   Strangulation Safety Plan – Alliance for Hope

Click on the images below to learn more about some of the signs and symptoms:

Some common signs and symptoms are (please see the above photos for additional signs and symptoms):

• losing consciousness or passing out
• memory loss or confusion, may not remember parts of assault or strangulation
• small red or purple dots on your face, scalp, eyes, ears, or nose (this is called petechiae)
• burst blood vessels in your eye
• changes in your voice and difficulty speaking, swallowing, or breathing
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• changes in your vision

However, injuries that you can see only show up 50% or HALF of the time. You also may feel fine, but it’s very important that you see a doctor. Go to a hospital emergency room immediately and ask for a CTA exam if you have ever been choked or strangled.

Anytime someone makes it so you can’t breathe, you are at risk of serious health consequences that last days, weeks, or even months.  Strangulation is also so dangerous because of how quickly it can lead to death.

Strangulation & Domestic Violence Statistics in Nashville

In 2021:

• The Office of Family Safety gave out 1,229 brochures to clients regarding strangulation.
• 831 (or 52%) of Office of Family Safety clients that chose to answer the Danger Assessment indicated that their partner had strangled them at some point in their relationship.
  • 454 of those (or 55%) indicated they had been strangled to the point of unconsciousness.
• The Office of Family Safety flagged 4,469 (or 37%) domestic violence criminal defendants and Order of Protection respondents as stranglers.
• 56% of victims who chose to answer the Lethality Assessment Protocol (LAP) indicated that their partner had strangled them.

If you or someone you know has experienced strangulation or has had their breathing cut off in any way for any length of time, please go to a hospital emergency room right away and ask for a CTA exam, even if the strangulation occurred in the past.

If you think that you are in an abusive relationship, look at our safety planning page for ways to increase your safety and our Other Help in Nashville page for community support.

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The horrifying harms of choking

You’ll know that We Can’t Consent To This are extremely down on the normalisation of violence against women, particularly ‘choking’. The idea that there is ‘safe’ strangulation not only causes real life harm to women, but has also helped the men who try to use ‘rough sex’ claims: if strangulation is safe and what she wanted, how was he to know she’d be harmed or killed?

In case you’re not convinced, we’d like to share a sobering new piece of research on the damage caused by non-fatal strangulation. The researchers (Bichard, Byrne, Saville & Coetzer, 2020) have summarised this research for us to share with you.

Although it is common for strangulation to leave no visible signs of injury, this research sets out the terrible harm suffered by victims of non-fatal strangulation, with the onset of symptoms sometimes delayed by days or weeks. Harms can include stroke, cardiac arrest, miscarriage, incontinence, seizures, paralysis, speech disorders, and other forms of long term brain injury.

We already knew the potential injury from victims’ reports. But, for the first time, this synthesises the medical evidence in its terrifying and convincing entirety.

Research Summary –

A Systematic Review of the neuropsychological outcomes of non-fatal strangulation in domestic and sexual violence

• This rises to over 50% of women subject to routine domestic abuse, and up to 20% of women who have been sexually assaulted.

• Strangulation is an overwhelmingly gendered crime: in a review of 300 forensic records in San Diego, 298 involved a man strangling a woman.

• if a woman has been strangled, the chance of her subsequently being murdered rises eightfold.

• Neck structures are alarmingly fragile: blocking the jugular vein can take less pressure than opening a can of Coke.

• Consciousness can be lost within as little as 4 seconds of arterial pressure. Losing consciousness indicates at the very least a mild brain injury. Consciousness was lost in between 17% and 38% of strangulation incidents identified.

• It is thought strangulation might be the second most common cause of stroke in women under 40.

• In terms of pathology, strangulation was shown to lead to dissection of the main neck arteries, blocking of blood flow to and from the brain, brain swelling, cardiac arrest, miscarriage, and stroke (which can be delayed by weeks).

• Neurological consequences of strangulation include: loss of consciousness (which indicates at least mild brain injury), paralysis, movement disorders, speech disorders, incontinence, and seizures.

• Cognitive consequences include: amnesia, and impaired ‘executive function’ (e.g. decision-making, planning, judgement).

• Psychological consequences include: PTSD, dissociation, suicidality, depression, anxiety, and personality change

• Behavioural consequences include: increased compliant and submissive behaviour, and survival-based aggression

Strangulation and Risk

From this it should be clear that strangulation, even when non-fatal, carries with it the very real potential to cause significant and life-changing injury to brain and mind. It is also a significant marker of future risk: if a woman has been strangled, the chance of her subsequently being murdered rises eightfold.

Strangulation is more dangerous than waterboarding: this is because it doesn’t just block the airway, but also the brain’s blood supply. Waterboarding is now considered inhumane, even when its stated aim is to prevent mass terrorism. But there is something morally wrong about a society which still turns a blind eye to the intimate terrorism of thousands of women each week in the UK.

The paper also draws attention to how the legal system fundamentally misunderstands strangulation’s effect on the brain. In a recent British case, a prostitute had been strangled by a client[1]. When she lost consciousness, he panicked, believed her to be dead, and was in the process of abandoning her body by the roadside when she came to. The victim then went to her attacker’s house, where they drank wine together. Her behaviour after the event was used to undermine the severity of the attack, and he was sentenced to just two years. Based on this new research, we now know her behaviour could have been due to existential fear: compliant behaviour in order to survive. Having lost consciousness she would almost certainly have had amnesia for that portion of the attack, but she could also have had wider memory loss: she had simply forgotten what he had done. It could be the result of damage to brain areas involved in problem-solving or planning an escape, or symptomatic of general confusion due to an oxygen-starved brain.

Strangulation and ‘Consent’

Consent always needs to be informed, and it needs to be able to be withdrawn at any point. Neither of these can possibly pertain in the so-called ‘rough sex’ defence. The vast majority of laypeople do not currently understand the very severe risks of strangulation, and so they cannot make informed decisions: how could they, when the law minimises it, and culture glamorises it? Secondly, how many people know they will likely not be able to withdraw consent? This is because the very organ needed to provide consent – the brain – is compromised by strangulation. For a start, consciousness can be lost in as little as four seconds. And someone who is unconscious cannot withdraw consent. But there are other changes to the brain that nullify any concept of consent.

In a bizarre and unethical experiment in the 1940s in which prisoners and psychiatric patients were strangled to observe the effects, the lead researcher first tried the equipment on himself[2]. There was an emergency release button. He found himself unable to press it, even when he wanted to. He was unsure whether this was due to forgetting he could (amnesia) or messages from the brain not getting to his hand (dyspraxia). He almost died. Both these impairments were the result of altered brain and mind functioning as a result of strangulation.

Research detail

This research was conducted by clinicians working at the North Wales Brain Injury Service (Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, NHS Wales) and Bangor University.

Given its importance and timeliness the authors have shared a pre-print of the full paper on the Open Science platform: https://psyarxiv. com/c6zbv/.

The authors systematically reviewed 1,433 papers, which were distilled down to 27 international, peer-reviewed studies. These were largely based on A&E case reports, or analysis of police and forensic records.

[1] Armstrong, (2012). Man choked prostitute after watching Billie Piper in Secret Diary of a Call Girl. The Mirror. Retrieved from https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/man-choked-prostitute-after-watching-145613
[2] Kabat, H., & Anderson, J. P. (1943). Acute arrest of cerebral circulation in man: Lieutenant Ralph Rossen. Archives of Neurology & Psychiatry, 50(5), 510-528.

Fear of suffocation during a panic attack. Fear of lack of air, phobia to suffocate

In order to analyze in more detail such a symptom of a panic attack – lack of air and a state of suffocation, let’s remember what a panic attack is, as such, and what are its main symptoms.

So, as many people know, a panic attack is a sudden attack of anxiety and fear without any objective reasons. The state arises absolutely spontaneously, and also suddenly subsides. The main symptomatology lies mainly in the somatic field. According to statistics, 1 out of 20 people suffer from this psychosomatic disease, and young people and women experience it more often than the elderly and men.

Main symptoms:

As noted above, the symptoms of this psychopathy appear absolutely for no reason, in other words, nothing bad happens in the patient’s life, the attack is not associated with a stressful situation or any real threat. In addition, unlike other similar destructions, the manifestations of a panic attack pass within 10-30 minutes and do not leave any reminders of themselves, as if they never happened. What are the basic sensations of the patient expressed in:

• Vividly manifested anxiety , feeling of danger, fear of death and fear of suffocation, without any objective reasons or reasonable explanations
• Tachycardia and dyspnea
• Persistent anginophobia feeling short of breath and fear of suffocation
• Sensation of a lump in the throat
• Neuralgia , chest compression, body pain
• Disorientation in space, dizziness
• Attack of nausea , pain in the gastrointestinal tract
• Tremor and numbness of limbs
• Increased sweating , flushing
• Vision problems , veil before eyes
• Feeling unreality of the situation (events can be perceived as in a dream)

One of the fundamental signs, as noted above, is anginophobia. We will talk about it in more detail in this article.

What is anginophobia

Anginophobia is a persistent fear of suffocation or the inability to breathe. In earlier interpretations, this term meant only the fear of suffocation against the background of a heart attack. In modern psychiatry, the anamnesis of anginophobia is expanded and includes the fear of suffocation or even choking, in general, to face any causes that can stop breathing. The cause of this phobia can be anything, moreover, that does not exist in real life: other people, poor ecology, unhealthy lifestyle, diseases that may not exist. It’s important to notice. That anginophobia can also occur in people who are healthy from the point of view of somatics.

Signs and causes of anginophobia

General signs of this particular symptom of panic attacks do not differ much from the main list and include such manifestations as:

• Vertigo disease (vertigo) and spatial disorientation
• Feeling sick
• Tachycardia
• Increased sweating
• Gastrointestinal disorder
• Trembling and numbness of limbs
• Numbness, fear of losing speech or being unable to say anything
• Discoloration of the skin on the face or body
• Coughing fit and general feeling of being unable to breathe
• Loss of contact with reality , feeling faint

Causes of anginophobia:

It is worth noting that, according to the psychiatric community, anginophobia often comes in combination with such types of neurosis and neurasthenic disorders as anxiety, schizoid, bipolar and cardiophobic (fear of cardiac arrest).

Common causes include:

• Hazardous working conditions and professions involving a real risk to life, a modified environment and confined spaces. Work in mines, at depth, at height (high-rise workers, submariners, miners, firefighters). A subconscious sense of danger can lead to similar neurotic changes.
• Wrong way of life and addictions: Alcoholism, drug addiction, substance abuse and even smoking. As well as deliberate provocation of the state of asphyxia, for example, a tendency to suffocate during intimate games.
• Presence of bronchial asthma or allergies . Subconsciously, the patient is afraid that in the end he will not be able to breathe during the next attack.
• Increased suggestibility and information rubbish. Some people attach too much importance to stories and what the media broadcasts.
• Past psychotrauma associated with suffocation. Such a stressful situation can subsequently accompany a person all his life and manifest itself when, in fact, there is no real threat.
• Real serious diseases related to the respiratory or cardiovascular system. Fear of attacks of the past.

How to overcome the fear of suffocation

With a mild course of the disease and moderate symptoms of an attack, a person is able to calm himself and reduce the symptoms to nothing in the shortest possible time.

It is in relation to panic attacks and any of their manifestations that the phrase “saving the drowning is the work of the drowning themselves” comes in very handy. In a situation of an attack, it is extremely important for a person to remember that breathing is a natural process, and by itself it cannot be interrupted. Even the presence of serious pathological changes, such as asthma, for example, cannot lead to suffocation if you monitor your condition and control the course of the disease. In order to minimize possible attacks, it is very important to treat yourself and your body with care and attention, lead a proper lifestyle, control your physical, and above all, your mental state. Quite often, people are able to anticipate the onset of an attack and calm themselves down on their own or take a number of actions that can help.

What to do during a panic attack. How to quickly relieve a symptom

In the event of an attack, it is important:

• Move away from the edge of the road and from the main streams of people, ideally find a calm, least crowded place.
• If medication is prescribed, take medication as soon as possible.
• Independently shift the focus of attention from internal to external sensations, you can simply start counting up to 100 or look around and name the colors of the surrounding objects.
• Concentrate on sounds and sensations, say out loud what you see, feel or hear.
• Try to find tension in the body and relax.
• Decentralize attention, for example, play a game on the phone

What to do if during a panic attack you suffer from suffocation and lack of air:

• Work with breathing and try to stabilize it yourself. For 4 seconds a slow breath and for 4 seconds the same exhalation.
• Optional bag breathing method to neutralize lung hyperventilation and carbon dioxide concentration.
• Try to exhale as much as possible. Exhalation should be easy, which means that the feeling of the impossibility of inhalation is nothing more than a consequence of neurosis.

If a panic attack overtook a person next to you, the main task is to take him to a quiet deserted place and help stabilize his breathing.

As we already know, one of the most frightening signs for the patient is a feeling of lack of air. Most often, our patients describe this symptom as a state of complete destabilization of breathing.

Difficulty breathing during panic attacks

Shortness of breath is one of the most common and frightening symptoms. In a state of suffocation, it is important for the patient to remember that everything that happens and even real sensations in the body are a consequence of his neurotic state at the moment. The most dangerous moment is the possibility of a real attack of asphyxia associated with a physical condition, but even here there is a way to calm yourself. Take, for example, a disease such as asthma, which can actually be a symptom of suffocation. So, in this aspect, it is important to know that in a state of neurosis, a person, first of all, cannot inhale, although he does not feel any problems with exhalation, and there may also be a “lump in the throat.” So, with asthma, everything happens the other way around: inhalation is easy, but the asthmatic can no longer exhale or does it with great difficulty.

Is it possible to suffocate from a panic attack

No. If asthma attacks are associated specifically with a panic attack, then this is not dangerous to health. All symptoms disappear as soon as the patient manages to calm down.

Lack of air and the inability to breathe evenly affect the mental state, anginophobia and unregulated fear can prolong the attack and eventually lead to a more severe stage and chronic pathology, for example, develop a generalized disorder, the duration of an attack in which can reach up to 1 hour.

That is why it is extremely important to monitor your condition and try to prevent the development of the chronic form of various disorders.

What can I do to prevent a panic attack from turning into a panic disorder?

First of all. It is necessary to follow the rules of prevention, which we have already talked about in this article: control of one’s own condition, the right lifestyle, accompanying body-oriented practices (meditation, yoga, massages, hydrotherapy), correct thinking and avoiding an overabundance of information. However, if the choking attack provoked by a panic attack has happened more than once, then you should immediately contact a specialist. Professional timely treatment can not only prevent the development of various disorders, but also completely nullify the symptoms.

How to treat panic attacks and when to see a specialist

In fact, it is necessary to see a specialist even if you are experiencing an attack for the first time. There can be a huge number of reasons for a panic attack, which can only be determined by resorting to professional diagnostics. Timely initiation of treatment can save a person from many further problems. It is also worth paying attention to the symptoms. If asthma attacks, accompanied by a feeling of inability to inhale, occur more than 1 time, then this is the sign in which you should immediately contact specialists: a psychotherapist, a neurologist and a psychiatrist. A psychologist will not help in this case, since he works exclusively in the mental field. A panic attack is a psychosomatic disease that affects not only the mental, but primarily the physical plane. Psychotherapeutic treatment includes an integrated approach consisting of medication and psychotherapy.

Definitely will be in the development of a treatment plan. The initial causes that led to the development of panic states, as well as concomitant diseases and individual characteristics of the patient’s psyche, were taken into account.

Psychotherapeutic approach

Most often, the most popular method in psychotherapy is the method of CBT (cognitive – behavioral therapy), the main purpose of which is to correct the patient’s behavior during an attack and change his perception of what is happening. In other words, this technique can be called fear management lessons. Next, classical psychoanalysis is applied, aimed at finding the underlying causes and possible psychotraumas that led to the current state. Also mandatory will be body-oriented practices that help to relax and learn to be aware of the processes occurring in the body. Quite often, psychotherapy also includes gestalt therapy, which can identify unmet needs and family sessions, in which the specialist works with the patient’s relatives in order to teach them first aid and general support.

Drug therapy

A well-chosen course of drugs helps to reduce the frequency and intensity of panic attacks. Most often in modern drug psychotherapy, drugs of the following clusters are used:

• Tranquilizer Cluster . It is used for immediate relief of an attack. It is advised to use with caution and only in a situation of urgent need, since this group has a number of side effects: decreased attention, deconcentration.
• Cluster of antidepressants . The use of course therapy is allowed. Aimed at improving mood, relieving anxiety and relieving symptoms of depression.
• Cluster of beta-blockers . Aimed at stopping seizures with pronounced somatics: increased blood pressure, tachycardia, shortness of breath.
• Nootropic Cluster . It has an anti-stress effect, activates the brain and increases the effectiveness of other medicinal groups.

Cluster of nootropics. It has an anti-stress effect, activates the brain and increases the effectiveness of other medicinal groups.

Analogues, what helps, side effects

It hurts to breathe, the heart beats fast, panic, sweat comes out … This is how an attack of bronchial asthma develops. Montelar is used to prevent attacks and treat asthma. Consider its effects, side effects and compare with analogues.

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Why prescribe “Montelar”

The drug is indicated for the prevention and treatment of bronchial asthma. The use of “Montelar” helps to prevent day and night symptoms, as well as bronchial edema caused by physical activity. It is also used to treat and prevent year-round allergic rhinitis. “Montelar” is approved for use in adults and children from 2 years.

You may be interested in: Symptoms of bronchial asthma

Montelar is it a hormonal drug

Montelar is not a hormonal drug. According to its mechanism of action, it is a blocker of those reactions that led to bronchospasm.

Does it help with allergies

The drug can be used to relieve the symptoms of perennial allergic rhinitis in adults and children over 2 years of age.

Self-administration of Montelar in cases of other types of allergies is prohibited. The medicine should be prescribed strictly under the supervision of a physician.

Montelar for children

For children, the drug is prescribed from the age of two according to the same indications as for adults. The doctor assesses the condition and the need for taking the drug, as well as its correct dosage.

“Montelar” for adenoids in children

The drug does not have a negative effect on adenoid hypertrophy. In the instructions for the drug, adenoiditis is not indicated either in contraindications or in indications for use.

How to take

Prescribed by a doctor. Its correct dosage for each case is individual. Usually it is taken in the evening, 1 tablet per day, either 1 hour before meals, or 2 hours after. Reception in the evening, just before bedtime, is determined by the prevention of more frequent asthma attacks at night.

Side effects

Like other drugs, Montelar has a number of side effects. Here is a list of the most common ones:

• upper respiratory infections;
• headache, drowsiness;
• abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting;
• rash.

If these and other symptoms occur or if the condition worsens, always consult a doctor. Based on your condition, the doctor will decide whether to discontinue the drug or replace it.

Montelar analogues

Analogues are those drugs whose composition and dosage of the drug are similar. Our drug has enough choice. The difference between them is determined by the manufacturer and the form of release. The drug in question “Montelar” is available in the form of chewable tablets, as well as film-coated tablets, the manufacturer of which is Slovenia. Here are some examples of its counterparts

• “Montelukast” – chewable tablets – CJSC “FBZ”, Russia;
• “Singular” – chewable tablets – Merck Sharp and Dome B. V., the Netherlands;
• “Montelukast” – film-coated tablets – LLC “FT”, Rep. Belarus;
• Montelust – film-coated tablets – JSC “Adamet Pharma”, Poland;
• “Montevell” – chewable tablets – LLC “Velfarm”, Russia.

Which is better “Montelar” or “Montelukast”

If we compare these two drugs, they are approximately the same. Each of them has the same chemical composition, respectively, and their mechanism of action is the same. The indications for use, side effects and therapeutic effects are also similar. Their difference lies in the manufacturer, country of origin and price.

What is better “Montelar” or “Singular”

“Singular” is similar to the drug “Montelar” in its pharmacological properties, composition, dosage and other parameters. The effect of taking these drugs is the same. These drugs have a significant difference in price. This is due to the fact that “Singular” is made in the Netherlands, and “Montelar” is made in Slovenia.