9 Lessons Your Parents Teach You About Anxiety And Physical Symptoms

Physical Symptoms of Anxiety

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

Get regular check-ups. Untreated anxiety can cause heart problems and other medical conditions. Talk to your doctor about ways to control these symptoms, for example, cutting down on caffeine consumption and avoiding alcohol and recreational street drugs.

Tense muscles

Muscle tension is a frequent symptom of anxiety. It can cause stiffness or pain in your back, neck and chest and also in your hands, feet or stomach. Stress can also affect your breathing and posture.

The muscle tension that is associated with anxiety is often short-lived and typically disappears when the trigger event or situation passes. However, for some people the tension in muscles can be chronic and could lead to long-term health issues if not addressed.

The tightness of your muscles could be an indicator of Anxiety and physical Symptoms as the fight-or-flight stress response triggers your body to prepare for danger by pumping more blood to muscles, which increases their strength and provides them with more oxygen so that they can evade or fight any physical threat. The increased flow of blood is the reason why your heart beats faster, and that is why you breath faster when you're stressed.

In the event of an anxiety attack, an increase in blood flow and rapid breathing can temporarily boost your immune system to help you fight off any perceived threat or stress. If you experience anxiety on a regular basis the increased alertness may become part of your daily life and trigger chronic symptoms like breathing difficulties and muscle tightness.

A lot of the physical symptoms of anxiety, including fatigue and aching joints and muscles are a result of your body's release of a flood of hormones and chemicals into your system as it prepares to defend itself or flee from a perceived threat. This constant state of alertness can make you feel worn out and feel like you constantly suffer from headaches or experiencing stomach pain.

Heart rate changes

Anxiety can cause your heart to beat faster, which can cause chest pain and breath shortness. This is because the stress response causes the adrenal glands to crank out hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which raise the heart rate and blood pressure. This is a good response in a situation of emergency, when you have to pump more blood to your muscles to defend yourself or escape from an attack. However, it could be harmful when it occurs every day, as it increases the risk of heart disease and other health problems.

You might also notice your stomach being more upset when you are stressed. This is because your body's fight-or-flight response keeps you alert and can affect digestion and cause constipation, abdominal pain, diarrhea or IBS. People who are anxious may also experience sleep problems or have trouble sleeping due to being on edge all the time. The constant surge of stress hormones can weaken the immune system and make it more prone to contract the common cold and other infections.

Speak to your doctor If you are experiencing these physical symptoms. They can test for medical issues that can cause similar symptoms, such as thyroid problems. It's a good idea, however, to talk to an expert in mental health that can teach you how to control your anxiety and end the physical symptoms. They may recommend therapies like psychodynamic or cognitive behavioral therapy psychotherapy which can help you replace negative thoughts with healthy ones. Be wary of taking your pulse, as it can exacerbate anxiety.

Tingling in your feet and hands

A sensation of tingling in your feet and hands can be a sign of anxiety. Tingling in your feet or hands is also called paresthesia, and it is a symptom of the body's stress response which is activated by anxiety. In the event of a panic attack or other intense feelings of anxiety your body is trying to shield you from perceived danger or harm by releasing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones trigger a variety of physical responses, including changes in blood circulation.

As part of the fight or response to flight the body redirects blood flow away peripheral areas and toward major muscle groups that could need help with potential physical action. This could leave your feet and hands with a reduced blood flow, which can result in a tingling sensation. The tingling sensation is more evident when you are stressed or anxious and will go away once the tension subsides.

Consult your physician if your discomfort persists. They can help you manage your anxiety, and relieve the tingling of your feet and hands.

While tingling in your hands or feet could be a sign of a serious medical issue the majority of times, it's caused by anxiety. Exercise regularly to increase blood flow, or try relaxation techniques. Getting enough sleep is also vital, as anxiety could affect your sleeping habits. Limiting your caffeine and alcohol consumption can also help. Contact the FastMed Urgent Care to speak with a doctor about your symptoms if there is an immediate sensation of numbness or tingling in your hands or feet.

Dry mouth

When you are anxious the body may begin to alter the way it produces saliva. Dry mouth is a sign that can indicate anxiety. It can be a side-effect of certain medications such as antidepressants and antipsychotics.

If you experience dry mouth, it's vital to consult a doctor. They can rule out medical conditions that could be the cause of the issue. If your doctor concludes that you have anxiety, they may suggest treatment options.

The stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline are released when you experience anxiety or fear. These hormones can boost heart rate and breathing to aid in running or fighting against threats however, they also affect digestion and cause other physical stress/anxiety symptoms.

You may also notice dry mouth when you are under stress or take medications that decrease saliva production. SSRIs (which are commonly prescribed to combat anxiety) can cause dryness in the mouth. They work by blocking actions of acetylcholine. It is a neurotransmitter involved in involuntary muscle movements and bodily functions, such as salivation, digestion and urination.

If you're experiencing dry mouth, it's essential to drink plenty of fluids and use relaxation techniques to ease your anxiety symptoms. If your anxiety is extreme, a mental health professional may recommend other treatment options, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and protection from exposure to harmful substances and other complementary health practices like yoga and mediation.

Shortness of Breath

Whether you feel short of breath during your workout, or at other times throughout the day, this symptom can be a sign that you're suffering from anxiety. This symptom could be linked with any anxiety disorder, such as generalized anxiety, social anxiety and panic disorders. In many cases, anxiety can cause muscle tension that leads to the feeling of being out of breath, especially in the back and shoulders region. These tensions can also cause an escalating cycle of depression and anxiety which can further intensify these physical symptoms.

This and other physical reactions can be triggered by anxiety as a result of the body's fight or flight. This response is required in order to react to danger, but it can have negative effects when chronic anxiety triggers it.

When you feel anxious, the body can't distinguish that you aren't in danger and that there's no real reason to feel this way. This can lead to the perception that you're always in danger, even when you're not, which is why it's important to seek out an expert in mental health.

When you feel anxious, your body releases many stress hormones. These hormones stimulate your body to respond as being in danger, which can include symptoms like a shortness of breath. This is a common reaction, but it can anxiety cause physical symptoms be difficult for you to distinguish from other illnesses or conditions that may cause this what symptoms for anxiety. For instance heart disease, blood clot in the lung or pneumonia can all cause this. It is recommended to consult your doctor about running tests to determine if there is a root cause which could be the cause of the feeling.