Physical Symptoms of Anxiety

The fight-or-flight response is created to aid us in escaping or facing danger, but anxiety can keep our bodies on alert and trigger physical symptoms. These symptoms of anxiety disorders could include:

Get regular check-ups. Untreated anxiety can lead to heart problems and other medical conditions. Talk to your doctor to learn how you can manage these symptoms. For example, you can reduce caffeine intake and stay clear of the use of alcohol and recreational drugs.

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. Stress can also affect your breathing and posture.

Muscle tension is usually short-lived and 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 tightness of your muscles could be a sign of anxiety because the stress response of fight or flight triggers your body to prepare for danger by pumping more blood to the muscles, which increases their strength and supplies them with more oxygen so that they can evade or fight a physical danger. This increased flow of blood is why your heart beats faster, and also why you breathe more quickly when you're feeling anxious.

In the case of an occasional anxiety attack, the increased blood flow and quickened breathing can provide your immune system a temporary boost that helps you overcome the fear of a stressful situation. If you are constantly experiencing anxiety, this increased alertness can become a part of your everyday life and lead to chronic symptoms such as muscle tightness and breathing problems.

A lot of the physical symptoms of anxiety, including fatigue and aching joints and muscles are the result of your body's release an abundance of hormones and chemicals into your system in preparation to fight or escape an alleged threat. The continuous state of alertness can cause you to feel tired and feel as if you suffer from a constant headache or stomachache.

Heart rate changes

Anxiety can make your heart race, which can cause chest discomfort and a shortness of breath. Stress causes adrenal glands such as cortisol or adrenaline producing hormones that increase blood pressure and heart rate. This is a useful response in a situation of emergency, when you have to pump more blood to your large muscles in order to defend yourself or escape from the threat. However, it can be dangerous when it occurs often, since it increases the risk of heart disease and other health problems.

You might also notice that your stomach is more agitated when you're stressed. This is due to the body's fight or flight response keeps you on edge and can cause digestive issues, causing symptoms like abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome. People who are anxious may also experience sleep issues or have a harder time sleeping due to being constantly on edge. The constant heightened stress hormones can weaken the immune system which makes it more susceptible to get the common cold and other illnesses.

Consult your physician If you are experiencing these physical symptoms. They can determine if there are any medical conditions that can cause similar symptoms. For example thyroid issues. It's a good idea, however, to speak with a mental health expert who can help you manage your anxiety and stop the physical symptoms. They might suggest therapies such as cognitive behavioral symptoms of anxiety therapy or psychodynamic psychotherapy that can help you replace negative thoughts with healthy ones. Avoid taking your pulse as it can exacerbate anxiety.

Tingling in your feet and hands

A feeling of tingling in your feet or hands can be a sign of anxiety. Tingling in your feet or hands is also known as paresthesia and it's a symptom of the body's stress response that is activated by anxiety. In the event of a panic attack or other intense feelings your body releases hormones like cortisol or adrenaline to protect you against perceived danger or harm. These hormones can trigger a variety of physical reactions that can affect your blood circulation.

As part of the fight or fight response your body directs blood flow away from the peripheral areas to the major muscle groups that could require assistance with a potential physical action. This could result in decreased blood flow to the feet and hands which could cause sensations of tingling. The tingling sensation is more noticeable when you are stressed or anxious and will fade when the tension has subsided.

If you are experiencing persistent tingling it is best to consult your doctor. They can assist you in managing your anxiety Symptoms throat and ease the tingling of your hands and feet.

Although tingling in your feet or hands can be a sign of a serious medical issue It is usually caused by anxiety. To reduce these sensations you should exercise regularly to improve blood flow or to practice relaxation techniques. Sleeping enough is vital, as anxiety could affect your sleeping habits. Limiting your caffeine and alcohol consumption can also help. Contact an FastMed Urgent Care to speak with a healthcare professional about your symptoms if you notice the sensation of numbness or tingling in your feet or hands.

Dry mouth

If you're stressed the body may begin to change the way it produces saliva. Dry mouth is a condition that can indicate anxiety. It could be a side effect of certain medications like antidepressants and antipsychotics.

If you experience dry mouth, it's essential to see a doctor. They can rule out any medical issues that could be the cause of the issue. If your doctor determines you suffer from anxiety, he or she may suggest treatment options.

Anxiety can cause dry mouth due to the cortisol and adrenaline, stress hormones which are released when you are feeling nervous or fearful. These hormones can raise your heart rate and breathing to aid you in battling or running away from danger. However, they could cause digestive issues as well as other physical symptoms.

You can also experience a dry mouth when you're experiencing stress or taking medications that affects saliva production. SSRIs (which are commonly prescribed to treat anxiety) can cause dryness in the mouth. These medications block the actions of acetylcholine, which is a neurotransmitter in involuntary muscle movements and bodily functions such as digestion, salivation and urination.

If you're experiencing dry mouth, it's important to drink plenty of water and use relaxation techniques to alleviate your anxiety-related symptoms. If your anxiety is extreme an expert in mental health may suggest other options for treatment such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure response prevention, and other complementary health practices like yoga and meditation.

Shortness of breath

The feeling of a shortness of breath could be an indication of throat anxiety symptoms whether you experience it when you exercise or elsewhere during the daytime. This symptom could be linked with any type of anxiety disorder, including social anxiety, generalized anxiety and panic disorders. Anxiety can often cause muscle tension, which can lead to a feeling that you are out of breath, particularly in the back or shoulders area. These tensions may also lead to a cycle that may aggravate physical symptoms.

This and other physical reactions can be triggered by gerd anxiety symptoms because of the body's fight or flight. This is a necessary response for responding to a threat however, if it is activated for a long time due to chronic anxiety, it can cause negative effects.

When you feel anxious and stress, your body is unable to tell that you're not in danger and there isn't a real reason to feel this way. This can make you feel like you are always in danger, even though you're not. That's why it's so important to consult with mental health professionals.

If you're stressed your body releases number of stress hormones. These hormones cause your body to react as if you're in danger. This can lead to feeling short of breath. This is a normal reaction however, it can be difficult to differentiate from other diseases and conditions that can lead to this sign. This can be caused by heart disease, a clot of blood in the lung or pneumonia. It's important to talk with your medical professional or doctor so they can run tests to determine if you have an underlying condition which could be the cause of this feeling.