Physical Symptoms of Anxiety
Chronic anxiety can cause physical symptoms and keep our bodies on alert. These symptoms could include:
Get regular check-ups. Untreated anxiety may result in heart problems or other medical conditions. Consult your physician to learn how you can manage these symptoms. For example you can limit your caffeine intake and avoid the use of alcohol and recreational drugs.
Tense muscles
Muscle tension is a typical sign of anxiety. It can cause pain or stiffness in your neck, shoulders back, chest and hands. The stress caused by
anxiety and physical symptoms can also affect your posture and breathing.
The muscle tension that is associated with anxiety is often short-lived and usually disappears after the trigger event or circumstance has passed. However, for some people the tension in their muscles is persistent and can cause long-term health problems if not treated.
Tight muscles can be an indicator of anxiety as the fight-or-flight stress response causes your body to prepare itself for danger by pumping more blood to the muscles, which increases their strength and provides them with more oxygen so they can escape or combat any physical threat. The increased flow of blood is the reason why your heart beats faster and the reason you breathe faster when you are stressed.
In the case of an occasional anxiety attack, the increased blood flow and quickened breathing may give your immune system a brief boost that helps you overcome any perceived threat or stressful situation. If you are constantly experiencing anxiety the increased alertness may become part of your daily life and trigger long-term symptoms, such as breathing difficulties and muscle tightness.
Many of the other physical
what symptoms for anxiety of anxiety, such as fatigue and aching muscles and joints, are the result of your body's release a flood of hormones and chemicals into your system to prepare to fight or flee from an alleged threat. This continuous state of alertness can cause you to feel tired and as if you have constant stomachaches or headaches.
Changes in your heart rate
Anxiety can cause your heart rate to increase which can cause chest pain and breathlessness. This is because a person's stress response causes the adrenal glands to churn out hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which raise the heart rate and blood pressure. This is a useful reaction in times of crisis, when you have to pump more blood into your large muscles in order to fight or flee a threat. It can be dangerous when you do it all every day, as it increases your risk of heart disease.
It's possible that your stomach becomes more agitated when you're stressed. This is due to the body's fight or flight response keeps you alert and can affect digestion and lead to symptoms such as abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea or IBS. People with anxiety might also experience sleep issues or have difficulty falling asleep because they're constantly on edge. The constant increase in stress hormones can degrade the immune system, making it more likely to catch the common cold and other infections.
If you have these physical symptoms 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 thyroid problems. It is a good idea however, to consult an expert in mental health that can guide you on
how to relieve physical symptoms of anxiety to manage your anxiety and reduce the physical symptoms. They may recommend treatments such as psychodynamic psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help you replace negative thoughts with more positive ones. It's also best to avoid taking your pulse as it can fuel the feelings of anxiety.
Tingling in your hands and feet
A tingling sensation in your feet or hands could be a sign of anxiety. Tingling is also called paresthesia and is a sign of anxiety-related stress. During a panic or other intense feeling, your body releases hormones like adrenaline or cortisol to shield you against perceived danger or harm. These hormones can cause various physical reactions that can affect the blood circulation.
As part of the fight or fight response, your body redirects blood flow away peripheral areas and toward major muscle groups that may require assistance in preparing for physical action. This can leave the feet and hands with less blood flow, which may cause a tingling sensation. The tingling sensation is more noticeable when you are stressed or anxious, and will disappear after the tension eases.
If you are experiencing persistent tingling it is best to consult your doctor. They can help you manage your anxiety and ease the tingling in your hands and feet.
While tingling sensations in your hands or feet can be an indication of a serious medical issue the majority of times, it's caused by
hypersensitivity anxiety symptoms. Exercise regularly to increase blood flow, or practice relaxation techniques. Sleeping enough is vital, as anxiety could alter your sleeping habits. Limiting your caffeine and alcohol consumption can also help. If you notice a sudden tingling in your feet or hands, contact a FastMed Urgent Care location to talk to a health care professional about your symptoms.
Dry mouth
When you're anxious your body could begin to change the method of producing saliva. This condition is referred to as dry mouth, and it could indicate that you have anxiety. It can be a side-effect of certain medications, such as antidepressants and antipsychotics.
If you have a dry mouth, it's vital to consult a doctor. They can determine if there are any medical issues that could be the cause. If your doctor concludes that you have anxiety, they may suggest treatment options.
Anxiety can cause dry mouth as a result of the cortisol and adrenaline, stress hormones that are released when you are feeling nervous or fearful. These hormones can boost the rate of breathing and heart rate to aid in running or fighting against threats, but they can also affect digestion and cause other physical symptoms.
It is also possible to experience a feeling of dry mouth if stressed or take medications that decrease saliva production. For instance, SSRIs, which are commonly prescribed for anxiety may cause dry mouth. These drugs interfere with the action of acetylcholine that is a neurotransmitter that is involved in voluntary movements and bodily functions, such as salivation digestion, and urination.
If you're experiencing dry mouth, it's important to drink plenty of fluids and use relaxation techniques to ease your anxiety-related symptoms. If your anxiety is extreme an expert in mental health may suggest other options for treatment like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure response prevention, and complementary health practices such as yoga and meditation.
Shortness of Breath
Whether you feel exhausted during exercise or at other times during the day, this symptom could indicate that you're experiencing anxiety. This symptom is common to all kinds of anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and panic disorders. Most often, anxiety causes muscle tension that leads to feeling out of breath, particularly in the shoulders and back region. These tensions can also lead to a cycle that may aggravate physical symptoms.
The reason that anxiety may trigger these and other physical responses is related to the body's fight-or-flight response. This reaction is necessary to protect itself from danger, but it can have negative effects when chronic anxiety activates it.
When you feel anxious and stress, your body is unable to tell that you're not in danger and there isn't a real reason to feel this way. This can make you feel like you are always in danger, even when you're not. This is why it's important to
work anxiety symptoms with mental health experts.
When you're anxious your body releases a lot of stress hormones.