Physical Symptoms of Anxiety

The fight-or flight response is designed to assist us in escaping or confronting danger, but chronic anxiety can keep our bodies on alert and cause physical symptoms. These symptoms could include:

Get regular check-ups. Untreated anxiety could cause heart problems and other medical ailments. Consult your physician to learn how you can manage these symptoms. For instance, you can reduce caffeine consumption and stay clear of alcohol and recreational drugs.

Tense muscles

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

The muscle tension associated with anxiety is often short-lived and usually disappears after the trigger event or circumstance has passed. For some, the tension in their muscles is persistent and can cause long-term health problems if not treated.

The tight muscles are a sign of anxiety. The fight-or-flight response triggers your body to prepare by pumping more oxygen into the muscles. This increases their strength, allowing them to escape a physical threat. The increased flow of blood is the reason why your heart beats faster and why you breathe faster when you're anxious.

In an anxiety attack an increase in blood flow and rapid breathing can temporarily increase your immune system's ability to help you overcome a perceived stress or threat. When you experience anxiety regularly the increased alertness may be a part of your daily life and cause persistent, chronic symptoms such as muscle tightness and breathing problems.

As your body prepares to fight or flee from a perceived threat, it releases a flood of hormones and chemicals. The constant state of alertness can cause you to feel tired and feel as if you suffer from an unending stomachache or headache.

Changes in your heart rate

Anxiety can make your heart race, which can cause chest pain and breath shortness. This is because the stress response triggers the adrenal glands to crank out hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which increase the heart rate and blood pressure. This is a useful response in emergency situations in situations where you have to pump more blood to your muscles to ensure you can escape or fight threats. However, it could be harmful when it occurs all the time, because it increases the risk of developing heart disease and other health issues.

You may also notice that your stomach becomes more upset when you're anxious. This is due to the body's fight-or flight response keeps you alert and can cause digestive issues and lead to symptoms such as abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome. Sleep issues or a difficult time falling asleep may be experienced by those suffering from anxiety. The constant increase in stress hormones can degrade the immune system and make it more prone to catch the common cold or other infections.

Speak to your doctor If you are experiencing these physical symptoms. They can test for medical conditions that may cause similar symptoms, such as thyroid problems. It's a good idea, however, to talk to an expert in mental health who can guide you on how to control your anxiety and end 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. Be careful not to take your pulse because it can cause anxiety.

Tingling in your hands and feet

A tingling sensation in your feet or hands could be a sign of anxiety. Tingling in your hands or feet is also referred to as paresthesia and it is a symptom of the body's stress response, that is activated by anxiety. In the event of a panic attack or other intense feelings of anxiety your body is trying to protect yourself from perceived danger or harm by releasing hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones cause a number of physical responses, including changes in your blood circulation.

As part of your fight or flight response, your body redirects blood from peripheral areas to the major muscles that require assistance with physical action. This can result in a lower blood flow to your hands and feet, which can lead to tingling. The sensation will likely be more noticeable during periods of anxiety body symptoms or stress and will likely fade when the tension subsides.

Consult your physician if your burning sensation persists. They can help you manage anxiety, and reduce the tingling sensations in your feet and hands.

Although tingling sensations in your feet or hands can be a sign of a serious medical problem, they are most often caused by stress. Do some exercise regularly to increase blood flow, or practice relaxation techniques. A good night's sleep is vital, as postpartum anxiety symptoms could affect your sleeping habits. Limiting your alcohol and caffeine intake can also help. Contact a FastMed Urgent Care to speak with a doctor about your symptoms if there is an immediate sensation of numbness or tingling sensations in your feet or hands.

Dry mouth

If you're anxious the body may begin to change how it produces saliva. Dry mouth is a condition that can be a sign of anxiety. It is a possible side-effect of certain medications like antidepressants and antipsychotics.

If you experience dry mouth, it's vital to consult a doctor. They can rule out medical conditions that may be causing the problem. If your doctor concludes that you are suffering from anxiety, they may suggest treatment options.

Anxiety and physical symptoms can cause a dry mouth as a result of the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline that are released when you feel stressed or anxious. These hormones can boost heart rate and breathing to aid in running or fighting off a threat but they can also affect digestion and cause other physical symptoms.

There are times when you may experience dry mouth if you're under stress or taking medications that affects your saliva production. For example, SSRIs, that are typically prescribed for anxiety may cause dry mouth. These medications block the action of acetylcholine which is a neurotransmitter involved in involuntary movements and bodily functions, such as salivation digestion, and urination.

If you're experiencing a dry mouth, it's essential that you drink plenty of water and use relaxation techniques to alleviate your anxiety symptoms. If your anxiety is serious and you're suffering from mental illness, a mental health professional might suggest other treatment options such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), exposure response prevention, and complementary health practices like yoga and meditation.

Breathing Shortness

Whether you feel short of breath when you exercise, or at other times during the day, this symptom could indicate that you're experiencing anxiety. This symptom can be associated with any type of anxiety attack symptoms disorder, such as social anxiety, generalized anxiety, and panic disorders. In many cases, anxiety can cause muscle tension, which can cause the feeling of being out of breath, especially in the back and shoulders area. These tensions can also lead to a cycle that may aggravate physical symptoms.

The reason anxiety can cause this and other physical reactions has to do with the body's fight-or-flight response. This response is required to protect itself from threat, but it could be detrimental if chronic anxiety triggers it.

If you are experiencing anxiety, the body can't distinguish that you're not in danger and there's no real reason to feel this way. This can lead to the perception that you are constantly in danger, even though you're not. That's why it's essential to consult an expert in mental health.

When you feel anxious, your body releases many stress hormones. These hormones cause your body to respond like you are in danger. This can lead to feeling shaky. This is a normal reaction, but it can be difficult to differentiate from other conditions and illnesses that may trigger this sign. 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 and determine if you have an underlying issue that could be causing the symptoms.