Lucas Beaumont
The simple answer to this important question may be, “yes.” There seems to be a connection between the kidneys and changes in the body that occur during a panic attack. Some medical research has shown that magnesium may play a significant part in this issue.
Some panic attack sufferers report that during a lifetime of dealing with panic attack they have experienced a sharp pain and an ache that follows, always in the area where the kidneys are located. Some of these people have reported that the feeling is similar to a very tense muscle that is sore after the fact.
One answer seems to be that a magnesium deficiency can trigger panic attacks or at least be a key part of the early moments of a panic attack. Magnesium is generally known to be involved in normal nerve activity and in muscle activity. A low-level of magnesium in the body may contribute to muscle tension and overall body tension.
Additional research shows that panic attacks, anxiety episodes and agoraphobia may be connected to a magnesium deficiency. (Agoraphobia is generally considered fear, panic and anxiety in a location from which we can’t escape. Panic attacks in social settings are a major part of agoraphobia.)
The real connection between the kidneys and panic attacks might lie in the amount of magnesium that a healthy body should have. People who have panic attacks, panic disorder or excessive anxiety might resort to taking magnesium supplements to reduce the symptoms. But doctors warn that a person’s kidneys might have trouble eliminating additional magnesium and that can lead to an unhealthy build-up of magnesium.
It is also important for panic-attack sufferers to consider other symptoms and effects of such episodes. A panic attack is closely associated with the human being’s natural “fight or flight” mechanism. When this fires up during a stressful or dangerous situation the body produces more adrenalin to give us the resources we need to deal with the threat. Other chemicals are also produced during this time and the body has to eliminate them in the aftermath of a panic attack.
The adrenal glands are connected to the top of the kidneys so that production of adrenaline is most certainly linked to kidney function. In some people who have panic disorder or consistent panic episodes, the body does not “reset” to a normal state as quickly and smoothly as with those who don’t suffer from panic attacks. This might be the reason that people who have panic episodes have pain and aches in the kidney area.
In most cases, the symptoms of panic attack are not dangerous or life threatening. Many people have learned to deal with the onset of panic attacks by using deep-breathing techniques, visualization and specific medications that are prescribed by a doctor. A person who is concerned about kidney problems, magnesium deficiencies and pain associated with panic episodes should consult with a medical professional. The right combination of self-help and medical assistance is essential.
