The Comprehensive Guide To Anxiety And Physical Symptoms

Physical Symptoms of Anxiety

Chronic anxiety can cause physical symptoms and keep our bodies alert. These symptoms could include:

Get regular check-ups. Untreated anxiety could lead to heart problems and other medical ailments. Talk to your doctor about ways to control these symptoms, for example, cutting down on caffeine consumption and staying clear of alcohol and recreational street drugs.

Tense muscles

Anxiety is usually accompanied by muscle tension. It can cause stiffness or pain in your neck, shoulders back, chest and hands. Anxiety can also affect your breathing and posture.

Muscle tension is usually short-lived and goes away when the trigger event or situation has passed. For some however, the muscle tension can be chronic 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 itself for danger by sending more blood to the muscles, which increases their strength and gives them more oxygen so they can fight or escape a physical danger.  symptoms of anxiety attack  in blood flow is why your heart beats faster and also the reason you breathe more quickly when you're feeling anxious.

In the event of an occasional anxiety attack, the increased blood flow and faster breathing can give your immune system a short boost that helps you to overcome any perceived threat or stressful situation. But when you suffer from anxiety regularly and you are constantly alert, this increased alertness could become a normal part of your life, resulting in chronic, persistent symptoms such as muscle tightness and breathlessness.

Many of the other physical symptoms of anxiety, like fatigue and achy muscles and joints are a result of your body's release the chemicals and hormones into your system as it prepares to defend itself or flee from any perceived threat. This constant state of alertness may leave you feeling worn out and as if you have constant stomachaches or headaches.

Heart rate changes

Anxiety can make your heart beat faster, which can cause chest discomfort and a shortness of breath. This is because a person's stress response triggers the adrenal glands to churn out hormones, such as cortisol or adrenaline, which raise the heart rate and blood pressure. This is a helpful response in emergency situations, when you need to pump more blood to your large muscles so that you can flee or combat a threat. It could be harmful if you do it continuously the time because it increases your risk of developing heart disease.

You might also notice that your stomach is more agitated when you're anxious. The body's fight or flight response could keep you on edge, and affect digestion. This can cause symptoms like constipation diarrhea, abdominal discomfort or irritable bowel syndrome. Problems with sleep or having a difficult to fall asleep could be experienced by people with anxiety. The constant surge of stress hormones can decrease the immune system and make it more prone to contract the common cold or other illnesses.

Talk to your doctor If you have these physical symptoms. They can check whether there are any medical issues that can cause similar symptoms. For example, a thyroid issue. It is a good idea however, to consult an expert in mental health who can guide you on how to manage your anxiety and reduce the physical symptoms. They might recommend therapies such as psychodynamic psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy, which can teach you how to replace negative thoughts with healthier ones. It's also best to not take your pulse, since it can trigger feelings of anxiety.

Tingling in your feet and hands

A tingling sensation in your hands or feet could be an indication 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 adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones can trigger a variety of physical reactions and can cause changes to the flow of blood.

As part of your fight or flight response, the body directs blood flow away from peripheral areas to major muscles that require assistance with physical actions. This can result in a lower blood flow to your feet and hands and cause tingling. The tingling will probably be more evident during times of anxiety or stress and will likely disappear as tension eases.

Consult your doctor if your tingling continues. They can assist you in managing your anxiety, and relieve the tingling in your hands and feet.

While tingling sensations in your feet or hands can be a sign of serious medical issue They are usually caused by stress. To lessen the discomfort, try exercising regularly to increase blood flow or to practice relaxation techniques. Sleeping enough is important, as anxiety can affect your sleeping habits. In addition, limiting your intake of caffeine and alcohol can aid. Contact a FastMed Urgent Care to speak with a doctor about your symptoms if you notice the sensation of numbness or tingling sensations in your feet or hands.

Dry mouth

If you're feeling anxious and stressed, your body can begin to alter the method of producing saliva. Dry mouth is a sign that could be a sign of anxiety. It is a possible side-effect of certain medications, such as antidepressants and antipsychotics.

It is important to see an expert if you suffer from dry mouth. They can rule out any medical issues that could be causing it. If your doctor concludes that you suffer from anxiety, he or she can recommend treatment options.

Anxiety can cause dry mouth due to the cortisol and adrenaline, stress hormones that are released when you are feeling stressed or anxious. These hormones can raise breathing and heart rate to aid in running or fighting against a threat however, they also alter your digestion and trigger other physical symptoms.

You may also feel dry mouth if you are under stress or taking medications that decrease saliva production. For instance, SSRIs which are commonly prescribed for anxiety may cause dry mouth. They are effective by blocking the actions of acetylcholine. This is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in the involuntary movement of muscles and bodily functions, such as salivation, digestion, and urination.

If you're experiencing a dry mouth, it's important to drink plenty of water and use relaxation techniques to alleviate your anxiety symptoms. If your anxiety is serious, a mental health professional may suggest other options for treatment including cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), protection from exposure to harmful substances, and complementary health practices, such as yoga and meditation.

Shortness of breath

This sensation of a shortness in breath can be a sign of anxiety, whether it occurs when you exercise or elsewhere throughout the daytime. This symptom can be associated with any anxiety disorder, such as generalized anxiety, social anxiety and panic disorders. Most often, anxiety causes tension in muscles that can lead to feeling out of breath, especially in the back and shoulders region. These tensions may also lead to a cycle that may aggravate physical symptoms.

This and other physical reactions can be triggered by anxiety because of the body's fight or flight response. This reaction is necessary to protect itself from threat, but it could be detrimental if chronic anxiety activates it.

When you feel anxiety and stress, your body is unable to tell that you're not at risk or that this isn't the primary reason behind the feeling. 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.

When you feel anxious your body releases a variety of stress hormones. These hormones trigger your body to react as if you're in danger, and this can include symptoms like a shortness of breath. This is a normal reaction however it is difficult to distinguish from other diseases and conditions that can lead to this symptom. This can be caused by heart disease or a blood clot in the lung or pneumonia. You should speak with your doctor about running tests and determine if there is a root cause that could be causing the symptoms.