attack
(ă-tak' 
)
- The onset of an illness or symptom, usually dramatic (such as a heart attack or an attack of gout).
- An assault.
anxiety a.An imprecise term for sudden onset of anxiety, sometimes accompanied by a sense of imminent danger or impending doom and an urge to escape.
brain a.A term proposed by the National Stroke Association for the sudden loss of neurological function that constitutes a stroke. The term is meant to be similar to heart attack in order to convey the emergent nature of strokes and the need for affected patients to seek care immediately when treatment may do the most good.
cyber a.The disruption of a computer (system) with viruses, worms, or other malware.
drop a.A sudden fall with loss of muscular tone and consciousness. Drop attacks may occur in patients with arrhythmias, autonomic failure, epilepsy, narcolepsy, and strokes. Treatment depends on the underlying cause.
heart a.Myocardial infarction.
panic a.A discrete period of intense fear or discomfort accompanied by at least four of the following symptoms: palpitations, sweating, trembling or shaking, sensations of shortness of breath or smothering, feeling of choking, chest pain or discomfort, nausea or abdominal distress, dizziness or light-headedness, feeling of unreality or being detached from oneself, feeling of losing control, fear of dying, paresthesias, and chills or hot flushes. The onset is sudden and builds to a peak usually in 10 min or less. It may include a sense of imminent danger or impending doom and an urge to escape.
Precautions are taken to ensure the patient's safety. A calm, quiet, and reassuring environment helps the patient overcome anxious feelings. Speaking slowly in short, simple sentences, giving one direction at a time, and avoiding giving explanations to relieve stress help the patient feel less overwhelmed. If the patient is hyperventilating, the caregiver demonstrates slow, deep breathing. Touch may not be reassuring to the patient and should be avoided until trust is established. Once the attack has subsided, the patient is encouraged to discuss fears and helped to identify situations or events that act as triggers for an attack. Relaxation techniques may be taught, with explanations given regarding using them to relieve stress or avoid an attack. The patient may be referred for behavioral therapy, supportive psychotherapy, or pharmacologic therapy (antianxiety agents, antidepressants, beta-blockers), separately or in combination.