Many people use the term panic attack interchangeably with anxiety attack, but they are not the same. Although both may cause an increased heart rate, shallow breathing or shortness of breath, and feelings of distress and discomfort, anxiety disorder and panic attacks differ in terms of intensity and cause.

• Panic attacks are more severe than anxiety and often occur with or without a specific trigger, while an anxiety disorder is a response to a perceived threat.

• The term “anxiety attack” is not an official medical definition. Still, it is sometimes used to refer to the emotional and physical response to certain stressors, and the correct term is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Panic attacks are a state of sudden and intense anxiety, leading to stronger cognitive, emotional, and physical symptoms.

• Panic attacks can happen to anyone, but their frequency may be a sign of panic disorder, a mental health condition characterized by sudden and repeated panic attacks.

• The symptoms of anxiety disorder are usually associated with other mental health conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, trauma, and social anxiety disorder. While panic attacks mainly affect people with panic disorder.

• Panic attacks can be categorized into predictable and unpredictable. Unpredictable attacks occur for no apparent reason, such as waking up from sleep due to a panic attack. Predictable attacks are triggered by exposure to an external stimulus, such as claustrophobia.

• Generalized anxiety disorder is caused by suffering from constant stress and responsibilities, having an anxious personality, and having another psychological condition, such as depression, all of which are persistent and accumulated factors. As for panic attacks, some are triggered by exposure to a specific stimulus or for no known reason, and most of them are temporary or momentary, meaning they are not caused by the accumulation of factors and triggers over long periods.

• The symptoms of panic attacks occur suddenly and subside after a few minutes, whereas the symptoms and feelings of Generalized Anxiety Disorder build up gradually over time and last longer.

• People with Generalized Anxiety Disorder are more likely to experience panic attacks. However, having an anxiety disorder does not necessarily mean that one will experience panic attacks.

Panic attack symptoms occur with or without an external trigger and include:

• Rapid heart rate.

• Chest pain.

• Dizziness or lightheadedness.

• Hot flashes or shivering.

• Nausea.

• Shortness of breath.

• Sweating.

• Stomach pain.

• Feeling out of control.

• Sudden fear that a certain situation or trigger will cause death.

• Feeling detached from oneself or the surroundings makes it difficult for the person to move or interact with others.

Anxiety symptoms appear after a prolonged period of intense worry and are usually less severe than panic attacks. Anxiety symptoms can last for days, weeks, or even months. Symptoms of a generalized anxiety disorder include:

• Nervousness.

• Extreme irritability in minor situations.

• Increased heart rate.

• Difficulty concentrating.

• Sleep disturbances.

If you suffer from panic attacks or severe anxiety that does not go away after a few days, it is advisable to contact a specialized psychiatrist, as the treatment for each varies depending on the case.

Our food not only affects our physical health but also influences how the brain functions, as our diet provides the fuel that helps it operate. Therefore, the relationship between diet and mental and psychological health is complex. Research has indicated a strong correlation between mental health, particularly about mood, and the quality of the food consumed.

A diet rich in processed, sugary, and fried foods can have negative effects on the brain in several ways, most notably through increased inflammation and disruptions in cellular pathways. These inflammations, in turn, can affect our mental health. Additionally, diabetes affects mental health due to fluctuations in blood glucose levels. Furthermore, obesity is a contributing factor to strokes. Studies have also found that an unbalanced diet, such as the Western diet, which is high in salt and fat and low in fiber and fruits, contributes to feelings of depression and anxiety.

On the other hand, consuming foods that nourish the brain, such as foods rich in omega-3 and fibers, as well as a balanced, low-sugar diet and avoiding unhealthy, processed, and fatty foods, supports improved cognitive function and reduces risk factors that can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses.

Caffeine intake affects some medications used to treat psychiatric disorders. Caffeine is a stimulant that affects the brain and nervous system and is found in coffee, tea, chocolate, and energy drinks. The effect of caffeine depends on a person's condition, the amount consumed, and the timing of consumption. Caffeine can increase anxiety in some people and can sometimes cause an elevated heart rate. It can alter sleep patterns and cause insomnia, especially if consumed close to bedtime, which affects mental health and mood.

Caffeine can be addictive, making many people who regularly drink coffee dependent on it, and they may experience withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly reduce their intake or stop using it. Withdrawal symptoms include an inability to concentrate, irritability, and fatigue. Therefore, drinking coffee in moderation is recommended to maintain psychological and mental health.

Poor eating habits, like eating late, disrupt sleep and lead to insomnia, which negatively impacts mental health. Therefore, it's important to eat meals at least two to three hours before bedtime. Eating with other people has many psychological, social, and biological benefits. Psychologically, eating with others reduces the anxiety of talking and sharing feelings, which improves communication with the outside world and makes us feel happier and less lonely. Biologically, eating upright helps with digestion. Talking and listening to others also slows us down, so we don't eat as quickly. Eating with family or friends at least weekly is recommended.

1. Eating vegetables and legumes rich in fiber, potassium, and vitamin A, such as beans and chickpeas, contributes to better mental health, as eating them has been associated with lower levels of distress and depression symptoms.

2. Eating fruit regularly is important, as it is rich in antioxidants and vitamin A, which play an important role in regulating neurological functions and reducing stress-induced psychological disorders, such as depression and anxiety.

3. Dairy products, especially full-fat dairy products such as milk and cheese, contain vitamin D, and its deficiency has been linked to an increased risk of depression and anxiety.

Eating disorders are serious psychological conditions that can have a significant impact on a person's mental or physical health and affect anyone regardless of weight or lifestyle. In addition, most people with eating disorders have other psychological issues, such as anxiety, stress, and depression. 

People with eating disorders can use their eating disorders to try to cope with difficult thoughts, feelings, and experiences. They may limit the amount of food they eat, consume large amounts of food quickly, or engage in behaviors such as self-induced vomiting to expel food from their bodies.

Every eating disorder involves food issues, and some involve a focus on weight. These disorders include the following:

In this disorder, the affected person tries to achieve the lowest possible weight and suffers from an intense fear of gaining weight. For example, the patient may avoid eating enough food or excessively exercise, even though he may not be obese or overweight. The person also experiences distorted body image, believing they are larger than they are, or they may try extreme weight loss to succeed in certain sports or to please a specific person. Individuals with anorexia nervosa often also suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), as many become preoccupied with persistent thoughts about food.

People with bulimia often eat large amounts of food in short periods. A binge eating episode usually lasts until they feel painfully full. During a binge, they may also feel like they can't stop eating or control how much they eat. People with bulimia nervosa try to eliminate the food they've eaten and relieve gastrointestinal pain through:

• Forcing themselves to vomit.

• Using laxatives.

• Taking diuretics.

• Using enemas.

• Excessive exercise.

This psychological condition greatly affects physical health, as it can lead to heart and brain strokes due to the loss of some key minerals in the body due to vomiting and dehydration.

Binge eating disorder often involves consuming large amounts of food quickly and discreetly, until you are painfully full, despite not feeling hungry. People with this disorder experience symptoms like those of bulimia nervosa, including eating large amounts of food in relatively short periods and feeling out of control during these binges. However, people with binge eating do not restrict calories to lose weight or engage in behaviors to purge food, such as vomiting. People with binge eating disorder prefer processed foods over other foods, contributing to heart disease and strokes.

• Consuming small amounts of food or eating large amounts of food in a short period in an uncontrolled manner.

• Spending too much time worrying about body weight and shape.

• Mood changes such as feeling anxious, depressed, or isolated.

• Avoidance of socializing when it comes to food.

• Physical symptoms, such as severe weight loss in the case of anorexia nervosa, extreme obesity in the case of binge eating disorder, or digestive disorders.

Therefore, it is advisable to visit a psychiatrist if you experience any of these symptoms, which not only pose a psychological risk but also affect physical health.

Many people experience difficulties with sleep, whether in terms of quality, timing, or quantity. Many people neglect this condition, thinking it's not an issue. Although it seems like a minor problem, it could indicate an underlying neurological condition. Additionally, the inability to sleep well has a direct impact on mental health and well-being.

Sleep disorders affect a person's ability to get the rest their body needs and maintain wakefulness. These disorders affect the patient's sleep quality, sleep time, ability to stay asleep, and balance between sleep and wakefulness.

Sleep, a complex biological process, is essential for the mind and body to carry out several important functions that help a person stay healthy.

Many people experience occasional forgetfulness and may believe it is memory loss. However, forgetfulness or mild memory loss occurs with age and is nothing to worry about. In some cases, however, memory loss may be a sign of a serious neurological disease. Although memory loss is associated with Alzheimer's disease, it can also be a sign of other neurological conditions.

• Memory loss occurs when a person has persistent trouble remembering things he used to remember easily. This may be temporary or permanent. Memory loss is also a symptom of other conditions. It should be noted that taking longer to remember things is a normal symptom of aging.

• There are two main types of memory loss: acute memory loss and progressive memory loss. Acute memory loss occurs due to a sudden illness or injury that disrupts the normal memory process. In the case of progressive memory loss, it is a symptom of degenerative brain diseases.

• Memory loss is a symptom of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and occurs when there are noticeable changes in a patient's memory or other aspects of cognition, such as language. It can also be the first sign of dementia.

• Other symptoms of memory loss include an inability to find or say the right words (aphasia), difficulty recognizing familiar objects or faces, and difficulty controlling emotions or focusing attention.

The causes of memory loss are divided into two types based on the type of memory loss as follows:

1. Aneurysm or brain hemorrhage.

2. Brain surgeries, especially surgeries that treat epilepsy.

3. Cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation.

4. Severe brain injuries, including concussions.

5. Strokes.

6. Psychosis (a group of symptoms that occurs when a person cannot distinguish between reality and illusion).

7. Migraines.

8. Epilepsy.

9. Severe psychological trauma, such as witnessing a traumatic accident.

1. Alzheimer's disease.

2. Dementia.

3. Huntington's disease (a genetic disease that causes brain damage over time).

4. Brain vascular disorders.

5. Multiple sclerosis.

It is important to note that difficulty remembering things and forgetfulness may be due to lack of sleep or exhaustion, and this does not constitute memory loss. If forgetfulness affects daily life, it is advised to consult a doctor.

Abnormal electrical activity in the brain, which disrupts brain cells from sending signals to each other, causes seizures. Seizures may cause confusion for some time, involuntary movements that are difficult to control, intense blank stares, or complete loss of consciousness.

Seizures occur for many reasons and vary in severity, some of which are:

1. Epilepsy:

Epilepsy is caused by malfunctioning nerve cells in the brain and is one of the most common causes of recurrent seizures. There are more than 10 types of epilepsy, and its diagnosis varies depending on the type of seizures a person has. If a person experiences two or more seizures, specific tests may be performed to diagnose epilepsy.

2. Some other causes:

Epilepsy is not the only cause of seizures; it is also the most common cause of recurrent seizures. However, a single seizure may be caused by other factors without the presence of epilepsy:

• High fever, often due to meningitis.

• Sleep deprivation or certain sleep disorders.

• Bleeding in the brain, such as bleeding caused by head trauma.

• Strokes.

• Brain tumors.

• Certain medications have side effects, including convulsions, such as some pain relievers.

Preventing recurrent seizures, whether they occur in epilepsy or some other conditions, depends on appropriate treatment and lifestyle adjustments, such as:

1. Stress management: Stress can trigger seizures, so exercise and relaxation techniques are recommended.

2. Maintain a regular sleep schedule: Fatigue and sleep deprivation are some of the triggers for seizures. Maintaining a regular sleep schedule can help minimize the occurrence of seizures.

3. Maintain a consistent meal schedule: Skipping meals can cause hypoglycemia, especially if you have diabetes, which can cause seizures.

4. Avoid bright lights: Studies have shown that some people have a light-sensitive type of epilepsy. Seizures of this type may be triggered by bright lights or certain contrasting light patterns.

5. Protection against head injuries: Head injuries trigger one or more seizures in people without epilepsy. These seizures may occur a week or months after the accident or injury.

6. Monitor fever in children: Some children may experience febrile seizures, which can be caused by a fever above 38 degrees Celsius and is often associated with infection.

Headaches are one of the most common disorders, which are often ignored or thought to be caused solely by fatigue or lack of sleep. While having a headache can be a normal occurrence, it can sometimes be serious and may represent a medical emergency.

Headache pain is caused by interacting signals between the brain, blood vessels, and surrounding nerves. Certain nerves in the blood vessels and head muscles send pain signals to the brain, causing headache pain. The interplay of signals may be caused by stress, environmental, and genetic factors.

Some types of secondary headaches may indicate a serious neurological condition or a life-threatening issue, such as:

Therefore, it is recommended to consult a neurologist if you experience a sudden, severe, and unusual headache or if you suffer from chronic headaches to receive appropriate treatment.

People suffering from headaches usually prefer to describe them based on the location of the pain in the brain. Although the location of the headache does not necessarily provide an accurate diagnosis, it can indicate its cause. However, several types of headaches may cause pain in the same area, and certain types of headaches can vary in location from one person to another.

Headaches are divided into two basic types: primary headaches and secondary headaches. Primary headaches include tension headaches, migraines, and cluster headaches. Secondary headaches are caused by infection, vascular issues, injury, or headaches caused by psychological disorders. Here are the types of headaches based in their location:

Some types of headaches cause pain on only one side of the head, affecting either the right or left side. Some common types include:

• Migraine: A migraine headache causes throbbing pain on one side of the head and lasts from 4 to 72 hours, interfering with a person's ability to perform daily activities. During a migraine attack, many patients experience other symptoms, such as Light sensitivity, sound sensitivity, nausea, and vomiting. Migraines are often triggered by environmental stimuli, such as sleep disturbances, dehydration, certain foods, hormonal fluctuations, stress, and chemical exposure. 

• Cluster headaches: People with cluster headaches feel a sharp pain around or behind one eye on one side of the head. This type of headache can also cause facial swelling, sweating, a stuffy nose, or droopy eyes with tearing on the same side as the pain. Additionally, cluster headaches occur in a series of attacks, with each attack lasting about 15 minutes to 3 hours.

• Cervical headache or cervicogenic headache: Cervical headache is pain at the back of the head that originates from the cervical vertebrae of the spine. It is a type of secondary headache. It occurs due to disorders in the spine, such as tumors, fractures, and inflammation.

• Occipital neuralgia: This type of headache is caused by compression of the occipital nerves, which run from behind the ear over the scalp. When these nerves become inflamed, they cause pain and throbbing in the upper neck, behind the ear, and at the back of the head, which is a chronic condition.

• Sinus headache: A sinus headache occurs due to inflammation caused by bacteria and viruses. The headache associated with sinusitis is often felt in the sinus area and the front of the head.

• Ice cream headache or brain freeze headache: This headache is caused by eating something extremely cold, causing constriction of the blood vessels in the mouth, leading to a sharp, sudden pain around the forehead. This pain only lasts for a few minutes.

• Eyestrain headache: Prolonged eye strain, such as reading or extended computer use, causes this type of headache. People who experience this headache also feel eye discomfort, so an eye examination is necessary to address the issue.

• Tension headache: People with this headache experience pain and pressure around the head, like a tight band. It is one of the most common types of headaches. Tension headaches last from 20 minutes to two hours and can occur three to four times a week. They are often caused by stress, tension, or pain in the shoulder and neck muscles.

• Hypertension headache: This type of headache occurs in people with high blood pressure. Hypertension headache is a medical emergency, as it indicates dangerously high blood pressure levels.

• Brain tumor: A headache that occurs throughout the head may be a sign of a brain tumor. However, this type of headache is usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as confusion, balance disorders, and speech difficulties.

A stroke often occurs without warning. However, in some cases, early symptoms or warning signs may appear before they happen, which can help facilitate prompt medical intervention upon noticing them to protect the patient's life.

A stroke occurs when the blood flow to the brain is interrupted, preventing brain cells from receiving the oxygen and nutrients needed to survive. The most common cause of strokes is the blockage of one of the main arteries in the brain, but a stroke can also occur due to bleeding in the brain. Strokes caused by brain hemorrhage are particularly dangerous, as they not only disrupt blood flow to the brain but also put pressure on the tissues. A stroke causes damage to brain cells, leading to death or disability. Therefore, a stroke is considered a medical emergency.

The early signs of a stroke depend on the location of the injury and the severity of the damage. Some people may experience weakness on one side of the body, while others may have speech or movement disorders. Although stroke symptoms appear suddenly, some warning signs may show up in affected individuals’ hours or even days before the stroke occurs, and these signs should not be ignored.

A stroke cannot always be predicted before it occurs, but some warning signs may appear hours or even days before the stroke happens. These include:

1. Severe and unusual headaches: Although severe headaches are not a common symptom of all strokes, a sudden and unusually severe headache may be an early warning sign of a stroke. This type of warning headache may occur about a week before the stroke or could indicate the rupture of a brain aneurysm. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor when experiencing an unusual and severe headache.

2. Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Also known as a "mini-stroke," it occurs when blood flow to the brain is temporarily interrupted. The symptoms of a TIA resemble those of a stroke, but they disappear within an hour and rarely cause permanent damage. Studies have shown that future strokes can be prevented if a person notices symptoms of a TIA, as it indicates the potential for a more serious stroke within days or weeks. Some TIA symptoms include weakness on one side of the body, typically in the face, arm, or leg, headache, dizziness, difficulty speaking, and vision disturbances in one or both eyes.

3. Other warning signs: Sometimes, a stroke occurs gradually, but usually, a sudden warning symptom appears, such as:

• Numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body, may manifest as drooping on one side of the face when smiling or difficulty raising one arm.

• Confusion and difficulty understanding others.

• Dementia, personality changes, and decreased functional performance.

• Difficulty walking.

• Memory loss.

• Difficulty speaking.

• Stiff neck.

• Fainting.

Numbness is a partial or complete loss of sensation in the affected part of the body. It occurs due to a problem with the nerves that send signals to the brain, leading to a lack of sensation to light touch, pain, or temperature changes.

Numbness can occur anywhere in the body, but it is often felt in the fingers, hands, feet, arms, or legs. It may be accompanied by a tingling, burning sensation, or a feeling of pins and needles.

Numbness in the extremities can lead to other problems, such as loss of balance, increased risk of falling, and not noticing injuries, wounds, or infections.

There are many possible causes of limb numbness. The most common is sitting in an uncomfortable position on the legs or sleeping on an arm for too long, which compresses the nerves in that area and temporarily affects their function.

• Diabetes.

• Chronic kidney disease.

• Multiple sclerosis (MS).

• Hypothyroidism.

• Peripheral vascular disease.

• Fibromyalgia.

• Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) – often on one side of the body.

• Brain tumor or abscess.

• Migraine headaches.

• Epilepsy.

• A herniated disc, if it compresses or injures a nerve.

• Pressure on the nerves due to a tumor, scar tissue, enlarged blood vessels, or infection.

• Certain insect bites.

• Radiation therapy.

• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies, such as vitamin B12, potassium, calcium, or sodium.

• Skin injuries, such as frostbite or shingles.

• Certain medications, such as chemotherapy.

• Alcohol poisoning.

• Smoking.

• The numbness persists for a long time without an obvious cause, especially if it is not related to body posture.

• You experience muscle spasms along with numbness.

• You develop a rash along with the numbness.

• The numbness worsens while walking.

• You urinate more frequently than usual.

• You have had a recent injury to the head, neck, or back.

• You experience vision problems.

• You feel severe pain or muscle weakness.

Treatment depends on the underlying cause of the numbness. Some chronic nerve disorders can be treated with medications such as:

• Antidepressants.

• Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation.

• Medications such as gabapentin and pregabalin, in cases of multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, or diabetic neuropathy.

In some cases, numbness in the extremities can be prevented depending on the cause. For example:

• Following a healthy diet and exercising can reduce the risk of developing diabetes, a common cause of numbness.

• Avoiding prolonged pressure on nerves by maintaining good posture when sitting or sleeping.

• Quitting smoking and alcohol consumption to maintain healthy blood circulation.

Unfortunately, some conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, cannot be prevented, so early diagnosis and proper treatment are key to managing symptoms effectively.

The cranial nerve 7, also called the facial nerve, controls facial movement, including the forehead, eyelids, cheeks, mouth, and jaw. The facial nerve may be damaged by trauma, inflammation, infection, or disease.

Damage to this nerve can result in facial weakness,  reduced tear and saliva production, impaired taste sensation, and decreased sensation behind the ears. Depending on the cause, treatment for facial nerve damage can include medications, physical therapy, electrical stimulation techniques, or surgery.

The facial nerve originates from the brainstem, located at the back of the neck, and extends toward the face. It has multiple branches that lead to facial muscles, tear and eye glands, and sensory fibers behind the ear. 

If any of these branches are damaged, it can result in weakness across the entire affected side of the face, including the forehead.

The primary function of the facial nerve is facial movement, which includes blinking, opening the eyes, raising the eyebrows, smiling, puffing out the cheeks, and pursing the lips.

Some of these movements are voluntary, while others are involuntary, such as blinking when something approaches the eye. Movement is controlled in the following ways:

•  The left cranial nerve 7 controls movement on the left side of the face.

•  The right cranial nerve 7 controls movement on the right side of the face.

This nerve also helps produce tears and saliva, contributes to taste sensation, and plays a role in sensory function behind the ears.

Certain medical conditions or injuries can impair facial nerve function, either temporarily or permanently, leading to partial or complete facial paralysis.

Bell’s Palsy is the most common condition affecting the facial nerve, which causes weakness on one side of the face. Bell’s palsy can be painful but is not dangerous. It often resolves within weeks or months.

Other causes of facial nerve damage include trauma due to an accident, dental issues, surgical complications, tumors or abscesses, viral infections, nerve diseases, or inflammatory conditions.

• Droopy eyelid or decreased ability to open the eye or blink.

• Inability to close the eye completely.

• Flat or droopy facial appearance on one or both sides.

• Uneven smile.

• Difficulty speaking.

• Difficulty eating due to chewing or swallowing being affected.

• Difficulty moving the tongue.

• Damage to the conjunctiva (white part of the eye) or cornea (colored part of the eye and pupil).

If you have a condition affecting facial nerve function, it is important to seek medical advice. It can be stressful not to be able to move your facial muscles the way you want, and it can be distressing to see your face look unbalanced.

Facial nerve weakness is not just a cosmetic problem; it can damage your eyes or pose a choking hazard. Most facial nerve problems can be treated. As you recover, it's important to maintain physical therapy to restore as much control over your facial expressions.