Physical Symptoms of Anxiety
Chronic anxiety can trigger physical symptoms and keep our bodies alert. These could include:
Get regular check-ups. Untreated anxiety can lead to heart problems and other medical conditions. Discuss with your doctor ways to control these
symptoms of anxiety and depression, such as cutting down on caffeine intake and avoiding alcohol and recreational street drugs.
Tense muscles
Muscle tension is a common manifestation of anxiety. It can cause stiffness or pain in your neck, back and chest as well as in your hands, feet, or digestive tract. Anxiety can also affect breathing and posture.
The muscle tension associated with anxiety tends to be short-lived and typically disappears when the trigger event or situation passes. For some people, however, the muscle tension may be persistent and lead to long-term problems.
Tight muscles can be an indication of anxiety since the stress response of fight or flight triggers your body to prepare for a threat by pumping more blood to the muscles, which increases their strength and gives them 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 anxious.
In the event of an occasional anxiety attack the increased blood flow and rapid breathing can give your immune system a brief boost that can help you get through any perceived threat or stressful situation. When you experience
anxiety symptoms but not anxious regularly the increased alertness may be a part of your daily life and lead to chronic symptoms such as muscle tightness and breathing problems.
A lot of the physical symptoms of
Anxiety and physical symptoms, such as fatigue, achy muscles and joints are a result of your body's release the chemicals and hormones into your system to prepare to fight or escape any perceived threat. This continuous state of alertness can leave you feeling worn out and feeling as if you've got a constant headache or stomachache.
Heart rate changes
Anxiety can cause your heart rate to increase that can cause chest pain as well as shortness in breath. This is because a person's stress response triggers the adrenal glands to churn out hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which raise the heart rate and blood pressure. This is a beneficial response in situations of real emergency, when you need to pump more blood to your big muscles so you can escape or fight an attack. It can be dangerous if you do it continuously often, since it increases your risk of developing heart disease.
You may also notice that your stomach is more agitated when you're stressed. The body's fight or flight response could keep you on edge, and can affect digestion. This can cause symptoms like constipation diarrhea, abdominal discomfort or irritable bowel syndrome. People who are anxious may also experience sleep problems or have trouble sleeping due to being on edge all the time. Stress hormones can cause the immune system to weaken, which increases the chance of contracting an infection or cold.
If you are experiencing these physical signs of anxiety, it's a good idea to consult your doctor. They can check whether there are any medical issues that may cause similar
stress/anxiety symptoms. For instance, a thyroid issue. It is a good idea however, to talk to an expert in mental health that can help you control your anxiety and end the physical symptoms. They might suggest therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy or psychodynamic psychotherapy, which can help you swap negative thoughts with positive ones. Avoid taking your pulse as it can exacerbate anxiety.
Tingling in your hands and feet
A tingling sensation in your feet or hands can be an indication of anxiety. Tingling in your feet or hands is also known as paresthesia and it's a symptom of the body's stress response, that is triggered by anxiety. During a panic or other intense feelings, your body releases hormones like adrenaline or cortisol to shield your body from danger or harm. These hormones can trigger various physical reactions and can cause changes to the flow of blood.
As part of the fight or fight response, your body redirects blood flow away from peripheral areas and toward major muscle groups that might require assistance with a potential physical actions. This can leave hands and feet with reduced blood flow, which could cause a tingling sensation. The tingling will probably be more noticeable during periods of heightened stress or anxiety and will likely disappear as tension eases.
Consult your physician if your discomfort persists. They can assist you in finding ways to reduce your anxiety and reduce the discomfort in your feet and hands.
Although tingling sensations in your feet or hands can be a sign of serious medical problem they are typically caused by stress. Exercise regularly to increase blood flow, or practice relaxation techniques. Getting enough sleep is also vital, as anxiety could alter your sleeping habits. Limiting your caffeine and alcohol intake can also aid. Contact a FastMed Urgent Care to speak with a medical professional about your symptoms if you notice a sudden feeling of tingling or numbness in your hands or feet.
Dry mouth
When you're anxious your body could begin to change the method of producing saliva. Dry mouth is a condition that can be a sign of anxiety. It is a possible side-effect of certain medications, such as antidepressants and antipsychotics.
It is essential to consult a doctor if you have dry mouth. They can rule out any medical issues which could be causing the issue. If your doctor determines you have anxiety, he or she can recommend treatment options.
Anxiety can cause a dry mouth as a result of the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol which are released when you are feeling stressed or anxious. These hormones can boost the rate of your heart and breathing to help you fight or run away from a threat. However, they could cause digestive issues and
anxiety And physical symptoms other physical signs.
You can also experience a dry mouth if you're under stress or taking medications that affects saliva production. SSRIs (which are typically prescribed to treat anxiety) can cause dryness in the mouth. These medications are effective by blocking the actions of acetylcholine. It is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in involuntary muscle movements and bodily functions, such as digestion, salivation, and urination.
If you suffer from dry mouth and experience anxiety, it is recommended to drink plenty of fluids and practice relaxation techniques. If your anxiety is extreme and you're suffering from mental illness, a mental health professional might suggest other treatment options such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure response prevention, and complementary wellness practices such as yoga and meditation.
Breathing Shortness
Whether you feel exhausted during your workout, or at other times during the day, this symptom could be a sign you're experiencing anxiety. This symptom may be associated with any type of anxiety disorder, which includes social anxiety, generalized anxiety and panic disorders. Most often, anxiety causes muscle tension, which can cause feeling out of breath, particularly in the back and shoulders region. These tensions can also lead to a cycle that can exacerbate physical symptoms.
The reason anxiety can trigger these and other physical reactions has to do with the body's fight-or-flight response. This response is required in order to react to danger, but it can cause negative consequences if
chronic anxiety symptoms anxiety triggers it.
When you feel anxious, your body cannot tell that you're not in danger, or
Anxiety And Physical Symptoms that this isn't the primary reason for feeling this way. This can cause you to feel as if you're always in danger, even if you're not. This is why it's important to consult with mental health experts.