Physical Symptoms of Anxiety
The fight-or-flight response is designed to assist us in escaping or confronting danger, however, chronic anxiety can keep our bodies on high alert and cause physical symptoms. These could include:
Get regular check-ups. Untreated anxiety can cause heart problems and other medical conditions. Discuss with your doctor ways to combat these symptoms, for example, cutting down on caffeine intake and staying clear of alcohol and recreational street drugs.
Tense muscles
Anxiety is typically accompanied by muscle tension. It can cause stiffness or pain in your neck, shoulders hands, chest, and back. The tension caused by
anxiety symptoms and signs can also affect your posture and breathing.
Muscle tension is typically short-lived and is gone when the trigger event, or incident has passed. For some however, the tension may be persistent and lead to long-term health issues.
Tight muscles can be an indication of anxiety since the fight-or-flight stress response triggers your body to prepare for danger by pumping more blood to muscles, which increases their strength and provides them with more oxygen so that they can fight or escape the physical threat. The increased flow of blood is the reason your heart beats faster and the reason you breathe faster when you are stressed.
In the event of an occasional anxiety attack the increased blood flow and faster breathing may give your immune system a brief boost that can help you get through a perceived threat or stressful situation. When you experience anxiety regularly and are constantly alert, this increased alertness could become a part of your everyday life and trigger chronic symptoms such as breathing difficulties and tightness in your muscles.
When your body is preparing to defend itself or escape a perceived threat, it releases flood of hormones and chemicals. The constant state of alertness may cause you to feel tired and feel as if you suffer from an unending stomachache or headache.
Changes in your heart rate
Anxiety can cause your heart to race that can cause chest pain as well as shortness in breath. This is because the stress response triggers the adrenal glands to churn out hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which can increase heart rate and blood pressure. This is a helpful response in emergency situations in situations where you have to pump more blood to your big muscles so you can flee or fight a threat. It could be harmful when you do it all every day, as it increases your risk of developing heart disease.
You might also notice that your stomach is more agitated when you're stressed. The body's fight or flight response could keep you alert and affect digestion. This can lead to symptoms like constipation diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, or irritablebowel syndrome. People with anxiety might also experience sleep problems or have difficulty sleeping due to being constantly on edge. The constant increase in stress hormones can weaken the immune system which makes it more susceptible to get the common cold and other infections.
Speak to your doctor if you experience these physical
physiological symptoms of anxiety. They can test for medical conditions that may cause similar symptoms, such as a thyroid problem. It's a good idea however, to consult an expert in mental health that can guide you on how to manage your
anxiety symptoms fatigue and reduce the physical symptoms. They may suggest therapies like psychodynamic psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy, which will teach you how to replace negative thoughts with positive ones. It's also a good idea to avoid taking your pulse, since it can trigger feelings of anxiety.
Tingling in your feet and hands
A tingling feeling in your feet and hands can be one of the signs of anxiety. Tingling is also called paresthesia and is a sign of anxiety-induced stress. When you experience a panic attack, or other intense feelings of anxiety your body is trying to shield yourself from perceived danger or harm by releasing hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones trigger a range of physical reactions, such as changes in your blood circulation.
As part of the fight or fight response your body directs blood flow away from the peripheral areas and towards the major muscle groups that may require assistance with a potential physical action. This could leave your hands and feet with reduced blood flow, which could cause a tingling sensation. The tingling sensation will be more noticeable when you are stressed or anxious and will disappear once the tension subsides.
Consult your physician if your discomfort persists. They can assist you in managing your anxiety, and relieve the tingling in your hands and feet.
While tingling sensations in your hands or feet can be a sign of a serious medical issue the majority of times, it's caused by anxiety. Exercise regularly to increase blood flow, or try relaxation techniques. It is crucial to get enough sleep, as anxiety can impact your sleep habits. In addition to that, limiting your intake of alcohol and caffeine can also help. Contact the FastMed Urgent Care to speak with a doctor about your symptoms if you notice a sudden feeling of numbness or tingling sensations in your feet or hands.
Dry mouth
If you're stressed, your body can start to change how it produces saliva. Dry mouth is a sign that could be a sign of
Anxiety symptoms eyes. It can also be an adverse effect of certain medication, including antidepressants Antihistamines, antipsychotics, and muscle relaxers.
If you suffer from dry mouth, it's essential to see a doctor. They can rule out any medical issue that could be causing it. If your doctor decides you have anxiety, they will recommend treatments.
The stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline are released when you experience anxiety or fear. These hormones can raise the rate of your heart and breathing to help you fight or run away from a threat. However, they can also trigger digestive issues and other physical symptoms.
It is also possible to feel dry mouth if you are under stress or taking medication that reduces saliva production. SSRIs (which are commonly prescribed to alleviate anxiety) can cause dryness in the mouth. These medications block the action of acetylcholine which is a neurotransmitter involved in involuntary movements as well as bodily functions like salivation, digestion and urination.
If you're experiencing dry mouth, it's vital to consume plenty of fluids and practice relaxation techniques to ease your anxiety symptoms. If your anxiety is severe an expert in mental health may suggest other options for treatment such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), exposure response prevention, as well as complementary wellness practices such as yoga and meditation.
Breathing Shortness
If you're feeling weak during your workout, or at other times throughout the day, this symptom could indicate that you're experiencing anxiety. This symptom can be associated with any anxiety disorder, including social anxiety, generalized anxiety and panic disorders. In many cases, anxiety can cause muscle tension that leads to the feeling of being out of breath, specifically in the back and shoulders area. These tensions can also cause the cycle of depression and anxiety that can further aggravate the physical symptoms.
The reason that anxiety may cause this and other physical responses is due to the body's fight-or-flight response. This response is crucial for responding to a threat however, if it is activated for a long time by chronic anxiety, it may result in negative consequences.
If you experience
anxiety symptoms mouth it is because your body doesn't know that you're not in danger or that this isn't really the main reason behind the feeling. This can create the feeling that you are constantly in danger, even if you're not. That's why it's crucial to seek out a mental health professional.
When you're anxious your body releases a large amount of stress hormones. These hormones cause your body to respond as when you're in danger, and this can be accompanied by feelings of a shortness or a sluggish breath. This is a typical reaction, but it can be difficult for you to differentiate from other illnesses or conditions that could trigger this symptom. This can be caused by heart disease or a blood clot in the lung or pneumonia. It is recommended to consult your doctor about running tests to determine if you have an underlying issue which could be the cause of the feeling.
