Physical Symptoms of Anxiety
The fight-or flight response is designed to help us escape or confront danger, but chronic anxiety can keep our bodies on high alert and cause physical symptoms. These may include:
Get regular check-ups. Untreated anxiety can result in heart problems or other medical issues. Consult your physician about ways to combat these symptoms, including cutting down on caffeine and avoiding alcohol and recreational street drugs.
Muscles that are tight
Muscle tension is a frequent sign of anxiety. It can cause stiffness or pain in your back, neck shoulders, chest, and back and also in your hands, feet or stomach. The tension that anxiety causes can also affect your posture and breathing.
The muscle tension that is associated with anxiety is often short-lived and typically disappears after the trigger incident or event has passed. But for some people, the tension in muscles can be chronic and can lead to chronic health issues if it is not addressed.
Tight muscles can be an indication of anxiety since the stress response of fight or flight triggers your body to prepare for danger by pumping more blood to muscles, which increases their strength and provides them with more oxygen so they can fight or escape a physical danger. This increased flow of blood is why your heart beats more quickly, and also the reason you breathe more quickly when you’re feeling anxious.
In the event of an anxiety attack, increased blood flow and rapid breathing can temporarily boost your immune system to help you fight off a perceived stress or threat. If you are constantly experiencing anxiety the increased alertness may be a part of your daily life and trigger chronic symptoms like breathing difficulties and muscle tightness.
As your body prepares to fight off or flee from a perceived threat, it releases flood hormones and chemicals. This constant state of alertness may make you feel exhausted and as if you have constant stomachaches or headaches.
Heart rate changes
Anxiety can cause your heart to race, causing chest pain and shortness in breath. This is because a person’s stress response causes adrenal glands to pump out hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which increase the heart rate and blood pressure. This is a beneficial response in real emergencies, when you need to pump more blood to your big muscles so you can escape or fight threats. It can be dangerous if you do it all often, since it increases the risk of 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 abdominal discomfort, constipation diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome. People who are anxious may also experience sleep issues or have difficulty sleeping due to being on edge all the time. The constant heightened stress hormones can decrease the immune system which makes it more susceptible to get the common cold or other infections.
Consult your physician If you have these physical symptoms. They can test for medical conditions that may cause similar symptoms, like thyroid problems. However, it’s also an excellent idea to locate an expert in mental health who can assist you in learning methods to manage your anxiety so that physical symptoms do not occur. They may suggest therapies such as psychodynamic psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help you replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Be wary of taking your pulse, since it can trigger anxiety.
Tingling in the hands and feet
A sensation of tingling in your hands or feet could be an indication of anxiety. Tingling is also known as paresthesia and is a sign of Anxiety and Physical Symptoms-induced stress. During a panic attack or other intense feelings of severe anxiety disorder symptoms your body is trying to protect yourself from danger or harm by releasing hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones can cause various physical reactions, including changes to your blood circulation.
As part of your fight or flight response, your body directs blood flow away from the peripheral areas to major muscle groups which may need assistance with physical action. This could leave your feet and hands with less blood flow, which can result in a tingling sensation. The sensation will likely be more evident during times of stress or anxiety and will likely disappear when the tension subsides.
If you are experiencing persistent tingling You should talk to your doctor. They can assist you in managing your anxiety, and relieve the tingling in your hands and feet.
Although tingling in your feet or hands can be a sign of a serious medical condition the majority of times, it’s caused by anxiety. Do some exercise regularly to increase blood flow or practice relaxation techniques. It is crucial to get enough rest, as anxiety can impact your sleep habits. Additionally restricting your consumption of alcohol and caffeine can aid. Contact a FastMed Urgent Care to speak with a healthcare professional about your symptoms if you notice the sensation of tingling or numbness in your feet or hands.
Dry mouth
If you’re stressed the body may begin to alter the way it produces saliva. Dry mouth is a condition that can be a sign of anxiety. It is also a side effect of some medication, including antidepressants Antihistamines, antipsychotics, and muscle relaxers.
It is essential to consult your doctor if you experience dry mouth. They can rule out any medical issues that could be the cause. If your doctor decides you have anxiety, they can recommend treatments.
Anxiety can cause a dry mouth as a result of the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol that are released when you are feeling nervous or fearful. These hormones can raise the heart rate and respiration to aid you in battling or running away from danger. However, they can also trigger digestive issues and other physical symptoms.
There are times when you may experience dry mouth if you’re under stress or are taking medication that affects your saliva production. SSRIs (which are commonly prescribed to combat anxiety symptoms tingling) can cause dryness in the mouth. These drugs interfere with the action of acetylcholine that is a neurotransmitter that is involved in involuntary movements as well as bodily functions such as salivation, digestion, and urination.
If you have a dry mouth and are experiencing anxiety, you should drink plenty of water and practice relaxation techniques. If your anxiety is serious and you’re suffering from mental illness, a mental health professional might suggest other treatment options such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure response prevention, as well as complementary wellness practices such as meditation and yoga.
Breathing Shortness
This sensation of a shortness in breath can be an indication of anxiety whether you experience it while you exercise or elsewhere during the day. This symptom may be associated with any type of anxiety 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 back and shoulders region. These tensions can result in a cycle that can exacerbate physical symptoms.
The reason that ibs anxiety symptoms can trigger these and other physical reactions is related to the body’s fight-or-flight response. This reaction is essential for responding to a threat however, if it is activated for a long time due to chronic anxiety, it may have negative consequences.
If you are experiencing anxiety, the body can’t distinguish that you aren’t in danger and that there’s no real reason to feel this way. This can cause you to feel like you are always in danger, even if you’re not. This is why it’s important to consult with mental health experts.
If you’re stressed your body releases a large amount of stress hormones. These hormones cause your body to react as if you’re in danger. This can lead to feeling breathless. This is a normal response, but can be difficult to distinguish from other illnesses or conditions that can trigger this symptoms. For instance heart disease, blood clot in the lung, or pneumonia could all trigger this. You should consult with your doctor to run tests and determine if there is a root cause that could be causing the symptoms.