10 Facts About Anxiety And Physical Symptoms That Can Instantly Put You In A Good Mood
Physical Symptoms of Anxiety
Chronic anxiety can trigger physical symptoms and keep our bodies alert. These symptoms may include:
Get regular check-ups. Untreated anxiety can cause heart problems and other medical conditions. Consult your physician to find out ways to manage these symptoms. For example you can cut down on caffeine consumption and stay clear of the use of alcohol and recreational drugs.
Muscles that are tight
Muscle tension is a typical symptom of anxiety. It can cause stiffness or pain in your back, neck shoulders, chest, and back, as well as in your feet, hands or digestive tract. Anxiety can also affect breathing and posture.
The muscle tension associated with anxiety is often short-lived, and it usually fades once the triggering event or situation passes. For some, however, the muscle tension can be chronic and cause long-term issues.
Tight muscles can be an indicator of anxiety as the stress response of fight or flight triggers your body to prepare for a threat by pumping more blood to the muscles, which boosts their strength and gives them more oxygen so they can escape or combat any physical threat. The increase in blood flow is why your heart beats more quickly, and also why you breathe faster when you're anxious.
In the case of an occasional anxiety attack the increased blood flow and rapid breathing can give your immune system a short boost that helps you to overcome a perceived threat or stressful situation. If you are constantly experiencing anxiety the increased alertness may be a part of your daily life and trigger chronic symptoms such as breathing difficulties and muscle tightness.
A lot of the physical symptoms of anxiety, including fatigue, achy joints and muscles, are the result of your body's release of the hormones and chemicals into your system in preparation to defend itself or flee from any perceived threat. The continuous state of alertness can cause you to feel tired and feeling as if you've got constant stomachaches or headaches.
Heart rate changes
Anxiety can make your heart beat faster, which can cause chest discomfort and a shortness of breath. Stress triggers adrenal glands, such as adrenaline or cortisol to release hormones that increase blood pressure and heart rate. This is a useful response in situations of real emergency that require you to pump more blood to your muscles to ensure you can escape or fight threats. It could be harmful if you do it all often, since it increases the risk of heart disease.
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 impact digestion, causing symptoms like constipation, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome. Problems with sleep or having a difficult to fall asleep could be experienced by those suffering from anxiety. Stress hormones can cause the immune system to weaken, thereby increasing the likelihood of contracting a cold or other infections.
If you experience these physical signs of anxiety, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor. They can determine if there are any medical issues that may cause similar symptoms. For instance, a thyroid issue. It's a good idea however, to talk to an expert in mental health who can teach you how to manage your anxiety and stop the physical symptoms. They may suggest treatments like psychodynamic or cognitive behavior therapy psychotherapy, which will help you replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Avoid taking your pulse since it can trigger anxiety.
Tingling in the feet and hands
A sensation of tingling in your hands and feet could be a sign of anxiety. Tingling in your hands or feet is also called paresthesia, and is a sign of the body's stress response that is activated by anxiety. In the event of a panic attack or other intense emotions, your body releases hormones like adrenaline or cortisol to shield your body from danger or harm. These hormones can trigger a variety of physical reactions, including changes to your blood circulation.
As part of your fight or flight response, your body redirects blood from the peripheral areas to major muscle groups that may require assistance in physical activity. This can leave hands and feet with reduced blood flow, which could cause a tingling sensation. The tingling sensation is more noticeable when you are stressed or anxious, and will fade when the tension has subsided.
If your tingling is ongoing it is best to consult your doctor. anxiety panic attack symptoms can help you manage anxiety, and reduce the tingling in your feet and hands.
While tingling sensations in your feet or hands can be a sign of a serious medical issue, it is most often caused by anxiety. Try exercising regularly to improve blood flow, or practice relaxation techniques. It is important to get enough rest, because anxiety can alter your sleeping habits. Limiting your caffeine and alcohol intake can also help. Contact a FastMed Urgent Care to speak with a healthcare professional about your symptoms if you experience a sudden feeling of numbness or tingling sensations in your feet or hands.
Dry mouth
When you're anxious and stressed, your body can begin to alter the way it produces saliva. Dry mouth is a sign that can indicate anxiety. It could be a side effect of certain medications such as antidepressants and antipsychotics.
If you experience dry mouth, it's important to consult with a physician. They can rule out any medical issues that could be the cause of the issue. If your doctor decides you have anxiety, they can recommend treatments.
Anxiety can cause dry mouth as a result of the cortisol and adrenaline, stress hormones which are released when you are feeling anxious or scared. 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.
It's also possible to experience dry mouth when you're under stress or taking medications that affects saliva production. SSRIs (which are typically prescribed to alleviate anxiety) can cause dryness in the mouth. These drugs interfere with the action of acetylcholine that is a neurotransmitter involved in involuntary movements and bodily functions, such as salivation digestion and urination.
If you suffer from dry mouth and experience anxiety, you should drink plenty of fluids and employ relaxation techniques. If your anxiety is extreme, a mental health professional might suggest other options for treatment, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), protection from exposure to harmful substances and complementary health practices such as yoga and meditation.
Shortness of Breath
Whether you feel weak during your workout, or at other times during the day, this feeling could indicate that you're suffering from anxiety. This symptom is linked to all types of anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety and panic disorders. In many cases, anxiety can cause tension in muscles that can lead to the feeling of being out of breath, specifically in the shoulders and back region. These tensions can cause a cycle that can exacerbate physical symptoms.
The reason anxiety can trigger these and other physical reactions has to do with the body's fight or flight response. This reaction is necessary to respond to a danger, but it can be detrimental if chronic anxiety activates it.
When you feel anxious and stress, your body is unable to tell that you aren't in danger and there isn't a real reason to feel this way. This can create the feeling that you're in a constant state of danger, even if you're not, which is why it's essential to work with a mental health professional.
When you feel anxious, your body releases many stress hormones. These hormones cause your body to react as if you're in danger. This can lead to feeling shaky. This is a normal reaction however, it is difficult to distinguish from other conditions and illnesses that can lead to this symptoms. It can be caused by heart disease or a blood clot in the lung or pneumonia. It is important to speak with your medical professional or doctor so that they can conduct tests and determine if you have an underlying problem which could be the cause of this feeling.