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 cause physical symptoms. These symptoms may include:

Get regular check-ups. Untreated anxiety and physical symptoms (resources) can lead to heart problems and other medical issues. Consult your physician to find out ways to manage these symptoms. For example, you can reduce caffeine intake and stay clear of drinking alcohol and recreational substances.

Tense muscles

Anxiety is often caused by muscle tension. It can cause pain or stiffness in your back, neck and chest as well as in your hands, feet or digestive tract. Anxiety can also affect breathing and posture.

The muscle tension usually lasts for a short time and is gone when the trigger event or situation is over. For some people however, the tension can be chronic anxiety physical symptoms and lead to long-term health issues.

Muscles that are tight can be an indication of anxiety since the fight-or-flight stress response causes your body to prepare for a threat by pumping more blood into the muscles, which boosts their strength and gives them more oxygen so they can anxiety cause symptoms of heart attack evade or fight the physical threat. This increased blood flow is the reason your heart beats faster, and that is why you breathe faster when you are anxious.

In the case of an occasional anxiety attack, the increased blood flow and faster breathing can provide your immune system a brief boost that can help you get through any perceived threat or stressful situation. However, if you are experiencing anxiety symptoms lump in throat on a regular basis, this heightened alertness can become a regular part your life, leading to chronic, persistent symptoms such as muscle tightness and breathlessness.

When your body is preparing to defend itself or escape from a perceived threat, it releases a flood hormones and chemicals. This constant state of alertness can make you feel worn out, as though you always have a headache or are in a state of constant stomachache.

Heart rate changes

Anxiety can make your heart beat faster, which can cause chest pain and shortness of breath. This is because a person's stress response causes adrenal glands to pump out hormones, such as cortisol or adrenaline, which increase the heart rate and blood pressure. This is a helpful response in emergency situations that require you to pump more blood to your big muscles so you can flee or combat a threat. However, it could be harmful when it happens every day, as it increases the risk of developing heart disease and other health issues.

You may also notice that your stomach is more upset when you're anxious. The body's fight or flight reaction can keep you on edge and affect digestion. This can cause symptoms like constipation diarrhea, abdominal discomfort or irritable bowel syndrome. People who are anxious may also have sleep issues or have trouble sleeping because they're on edge all the time. The constant heightened stress hormones can degrade the immune system, making it more likely to contract the common cold or other infections.

If you are experiencing these physical symptoms of anxiety, it's a great idea to talk to your doctor. They can check if there are any medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms. For example, a thyroid issue. However, it's also a good idea to find a mental health professional who can help you discover methods to manage your anxiety so that physical symptoms cease. They might recommend therapies like psychodynamic psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help you replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Be careful not to take your pulse since it can trigger anxiety.

Tingling in the hands and feet

A tingling feeling in your feet and hands can be one of the symptoms of anxiety. Tingling is also known as paresthesia and is a sign of anxiety-related stress. When you experience a panic attack, or other intense feelings of anxiety your body is trying to protect yourself from danger or harm by releasing hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones can cause a variety of physical reactions and can cause changes to your blood circulation.

As part of the fight or fight response, your body redirects blood flow away from peripheral areas to the major muscle groups that may need help with potential physical actions. This could result in lower blood flow to your hands and feet and cause the sensation of tingling. The tingling will probably be more evident during times of heightened stress or anxiety and will likely disappear when the tension subsides.

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

Though tingling sensations on your feet or hands could be an indication of a serious medical issue they are typically caused by stress. To lessen the discomfort do some exercise regularly to increase blood flow or practicing relaxation techniques. A good night's sleep is crucial, as anxiety can alter your sleeping habits. Additionally to that, limiting your intake of alcohol and caffeine can aid. Contact an FastMed Urgent Care to speak with a doctor about your symptoms if you notice a sudden feeling of numbness or tingling sensations in your hands or feet.

Dry mouth

When you're anxious, your body may start to alter the way it produces saliva. This condition is referred to as dry mouth and could be a sign you have anxiety. It can be a side-effect of certain medications such as antidepressants and antipsychotics.

It is essential to consult your doctor if you experience dry mouth. They can determine if there are any medical issues that could be the cause. If your doctor determines you suffer from anxiety, he or she will suggest a treatment plan.

Anxiety can cause a dry mouth due to the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol which are released when you feel anxious or scared. These hormones can boost the rate of breathing and heart rate to aid in running or fighting against threats, but they can also disrupt your digestion and trigger other physical symptoms.

There are times when you may experience dry mouth if you're under stress or taking medications that affects saliva production. SSRIs (which are typically prescribed to combat anxiety) can cause dryness of the mouth. These drugs are effective by blocking the actions of acetylcholine, which is a neurotransmitter involved in involuntary muscle movements and bodily functions, such as salivation, digestion, and urination.

If you experience dry mouth and are experiencing anxiety, it is recommended to drink plenty of fluids and practice relaxation techniques. If your anxiety is extreme, an expert in mental health may recommend other treatment options, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), prevention of exposure to harmful substances, and complementary health practices such as yoga and meditation.

Shortness of breath

This feeling of shortness of breath can be an indication of anxiety whether it occurs when you exercise or at other times throughout the daytime. This symptom is associated with various types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety and panic disorders. Most often, anxiety causes muscle tension, which can cause feeling out of breath, especially in the shoulders and back region. These tensions may cause a cycle that can exacerbate physical symptoms.

These and other physical reactions can be triggered by anxiety because of the body's fight or flight. This reaction is necessary to respond to a threat, but it could be detrimental if chronic anxiety triggers it.

When you feel anxious it is because your body doesn't know that you're not at risk or that this isn't the real reason behind the feeling. This can cause you to feel that you are always in danger, even if you're not. That's why it's so important to work with mental health experts.

When you feel anxious, your body releases many stress hormones. These hormones cause your body to respond like you are in danger. This could include feeling short of breath. This is a normal response, but it can be difficult to differentiate from other diseases and conditions that may trigger this sign. For example heart disease, blood clot in the lung, or pneumonia all can trigger this. It is important to speak with your medical professional or doctor so they can run tests and determine if have an underlying issue that may be causing this feeling.