Physical Symptoms of Anxiety
The fight-or-flight response is designed to assist us in escaping or confronting danger, but chronic anxiety can keep our bodies alert and trigger physical symptoms. These symptoms may include:
Get regular check-ups. Untreated anxiety may lead to heart problems and other medical issues. Talk to your doctor to learn how you can manage these symptoms. For instance you can limit your caffeine intake and stay clear of alcohol and recreational drugs.
Tense muscles
Muscle tension is a common sign of
anxiety and physical symptoms. It can cause pain or stiffness in your neck, back, chest, and shoulders, as well as in your feet, hands or stomach. The tension caused by anxiety can affect your posture and breathing.
The muscle tension that is associated with anxiety tends to last only a short time and usually disappears once the triggering incident or event has passed. However, for some people the tension in muscles can be chronic and can cause long-term health issues if not addressed.
Tight muscles are a sign of anxiety. The fight or flight response causes your body to prepare by pumping more oxygen into the muscles. This increases their strength to escape physical threats. The increase in blood flow is the reason your heart beats faster, and also the reason you breathe faster when you're feeling anxious.
In an anxiety attack increased blood flow and rapid breathing can temporarily increase your immune system's ability to help you overcome the fear or stress. However, if you are experiencing anxiety regularly and you are constantly alert, this increased alertness could become a normal part of your life, leading to chronic, persistent symptoms such as muscle tightness and breathlessness.
As your body prepares to fight or flee from a perceived threat, it releases flood of hormones and chemicals. This continuous state of high alertness can make you feel worn out like you always have a headache or are experiencing stomach pain.
Heart rate changes
Anxiety can cause your heart to race, which can cause chest pain and shortness of breath. Stress triggers adrenal glands, such as cortisol or adrenaline producing hormones that increase blood pressure and heart rate. This is a helpful response in an emergency, when you have to pump more blood to your muscles to defend yourself or escape from a threat. It could be harmful when you do it all every day, as it increases your risk of developing heart disease.
You might be noticing that your stomach is more upset when you are anxious. The body's fight or flight reaction can keep you alert and impact digestion. This can lead to symptoms such as constipation, abdominal discomfort or irritable bowel syndrome. Sleep issues or a difficult time falling asleep may be experienced by those with anxiety. Stress hormones can cause the immune system to weaken, thereby increasing the likelihood of contracting a cold or other infections.
If you are experiencing these physical signs of anxiety, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor. They can check for medical issues that can cause similar symptoms, for instance a thyroid problem. It's a good idea, however, to talk to an expert in mental health who can teach you how to manage your anxiety and reduce the physical symptoms. They may recommend treatments such as psychodynamic psychotherapy, or
cognitive symptoms of anxiety behavioral therapy, which can teach you how to replace negative thoughts with healthier ones. It's also a good idea to stay away from taking your pulse, since it can increase the feeling of anxiety.
Tingling in your hands and feet
A tingling feeling in your feet and hands can be a sign of anxiety. Tingling is also known as paresthesia, and is a sign of anxiety-related stress. In the event of a panic attack or other intense feelings of anxiety, your body is trying to protect yourself from danger or harm by releasing hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones can cause a variety of physical reactions and can cause changes to your blood circulation.
As part of your fight or flight response, the body redirects blood away from peripheral areas to the major muscle groups that may require assistance with physical actions. This can result in a lower blood flow to your feet and hands which could cause the sensation of tingling. The sensation will likely be more noticeable during periods of heightened stress or anxiety and will likely go away after the tension has subsided.
If your tingling is ongoing, you should consult with your doctor. They can assist you in finding ways to control your anxiety and ease the discomfort in your feet and hands.
While tingling sensations in your hands or feet can be a sign of a serious medical issue, it is most often caused by anxiety. To alleviate these feelings you should exercise regularly to increase blood flow or practicing relaxation techniques. Getting enough sleep is also vital, as anxiety could alter your sleeping habits. Additionally restricting your consumption of alcohol and caffeine can also help. If you experience an unusual tingling sensation in your feet or hands contact the FastMed Urgent Care location to talk to a health care professional about your
symptoms of labyrinthitis anxiety.
Dry mouth
If you're stressed, your body may start to alter the way it produces saliva. This is referred to as dry mouth, and it can be a sign that you have anxiety. It is also a side effect of some medications, including antidepressants, anxiolytics, antihistamines and muscle relaxers.
If you suffer from dry mouth, it's vital to see a doctor. They can rule out any medical issue that could be the cause. If your doctor determines that you are suffering from anxiety, they will recommend treatment options.
Anxiety can cause dry mouth due to the cortisol and adrenaline, stress hormones which are released when you feel nervous or fearful. These hormones can raise your heart rate and breathing in order to aid you in battling or running away from danger. However, they can cause digestive issues and other physical symptoms.
It is also possible to feel dry mouth when you are under stress or take medication that reduces saliva production. SSRIs (which are usually prescribed to treat anxiety) can cause dryness in the mouth. These medications are effective by blocking the actions of acetylcholine. This is a neurotransmitter in the involuntary movement of muscles and bodily functions, such as salivation, digestion, and urination.
If you're experiencing a dry mouth, it's essential to drink plenty of water and practice relaxation techniques to alleviate your
anxiety symptoms vision symptoms. If your anxiety is serious, an expert in mental health may suggest other treatment options like cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), protection from exposure to harmful substances and complementary health practices, such as yoga and meditation.
Breathing shortness
If you feel exhausted during your workout, or at other times during the day, this feeling could be a sign you're suffering from anxiety. This symptom can be associated with any
anxiety breathing symptoms disorder, which includes generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and panic disorders. Often, anxiety can cause muscle tension, which can cause feeling out of breath, specifically in the shoulders and back area. These tensions can lead to the cycle of anxiety and depression which can further intensify these physical symptoms.
This and other physical reactions can be triggered by anxiety because of the body's fight or flight reaction. This is a necessary response in order to react to threat, but it could have negative effects when chronic anxiety triggers it.
When you experience anxiety it is because your body doesn't know that you aren't in danger and there isn't a real reason to feel this way. This can create the feeling that you're always in danger, even though you're not. This is why it's important to seek out an expert in mental health.
When you are stressed your body releases numerous stress hormones. These hormones cause your body to react like you are in danger. This could include feeling breathless. This is a normal response however it can be difficult to differentiate from other conditions and illnesses that could trigger this symptoms. For example, heart disease, a blood clot in the lung or pneumonia can all cause this. You should speak with your doctor about running tests and determine if you have a underlying problem that could be causing the sensation.
