A Provocative Rant About Anxiety And Physical Symptoms
Physical Symptoms of Anxiety
Chronic anxiety can cause physical symptoms and keep our bodies on alert. These symptoms can include:
Get regular check-ups. Untreated anxiety may cause heart problems and other medical ailments. Talk to your doctor about ways to combat these symptoms, including cutting down on caffeine and avoiding alcohol and street drugs that are recreational.
Tense muscles
Muscle tension is a common symptom of anxiety. It can cause pain or stiffness in your back, neck, chest, and shoulders as well as in your hands, feet or stomach. The stress caused by anxiety can also affect your posture and breathing.
The muscle tension usually lasts for a short time and goes away after the trigger event or circumstance is over. For some, the tension in muscles can be chronic and can lead to chronic health issues if it is not addressed.
Tight muscles can be a sign of anxiety because the fight-or-flight stress response triggers your body to prepare for danger by pumping more blood to the muscles, which increases their strength and provides them with more oxygen so they can escape or combat the physical threat. This increased flow of blood is the reason why your heart beats faster and also the reason you breathe more quickly when you're feeling anxious.
In the event of an anxiety attack, the increased blood flow and speed of breathing can temporarily increase your immune system's ability to help you overcome a perceived stress or threat. When you experience anxiety regularly, this increased alertness can become a part of your everyday life and lead to chronic symptoms such as breathing difficulties and tightness in your muscles.
As your body prepares to fight off or flee a perceived threat, it releases flood hormones and chemicals. This constant state of alertness may leave you feeling worn out and feel as if you suffer from constant stomachaches or headaches.
I Am Psychiatry can cause your heart to beat faster, which can cause chest discomfort and a shortness of breath. This is because a person's stress response triggers adrenal glands to pump out hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which can increase heart rate and blood pressure. This is a good response in a situation of emergency in which you need to pump more blood into your large muscles to fight or escape an attack. It can be dangerous when you do it all often, since it increases your risk of developing heart disease.
You might be noticing that your stomach is more upset when you are anxious. This is due to the body's fight or flight response keeps you alert and can affect digestion and lead to symptoms such as constipation, abdominal pain, diarrhea or IBS. People who are anxious may also have sleep issues or have difficulty falling asleep because they're on edge all the time. Stress hormones can cause the immune system to weaken, increasing the risk of catching an infection or cold.
Speak to your doctor If you are experiencing these physical symptoms. They can look for medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms, for instance a thyroid problem. However, it's also a good idea to find an expert in mental health who can assist you in learning methods to manage your anxiety so that physical symptoms cease. They might suggest therapies such as psychodynamic or cognitive behavior therapy psychotherapy which can help you replace negative thoughts with healthy ones. Avoid taking your pulse as it can exacerbate anxiety.
Tingling in the feet and hands
A sensation of tingling in your feet and hands can be one of the signs of anxiety. Tingling is also called paresthesia and is a sign of anxiety-related stress. During 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 trigger a range of physical reactions, such as changes in your blood circulation.
As part of the fight or fight response the body redirects blood flow away from peripheral areas and towards the major muscle groups that might require assistance in preparing for physical action. This could leave your feet and hands with a reduced blood flow, which can result in a tingling sensation. The tingling may be more noticeable during periods of anxiety or stress and will likely fade after the tension has subsided.
Consult your doctor if your tingling continues. They can help you manage your anxiety and ease the tingling of your feet and hands.
Although tingling sensations in your feet or hands can be an indication of a serious medical issue, they are most often caused by stress. To lessen the discomfort, try exercising regularly to increase blood flow, or practice relaxation techniques. It is essential to get enough rest, since anxiety can affect your sleep habits. Additionally, limiting your intake of caffeine and alcohol can also help. If you experience an unusual tingling sensation in your hands or feet contact an FastMed Urgent Care location to talk to a health care specialist about your symptoms.
Dry mouth
If you're anxious, your body can start to change how it produces saliva. Dry mouth is a sign that can indicate anxiety. It can also be an adverse effect of certain medication, including antidepressants Antihistamines, antipsychotics, and muscle relaxers.
If you suffer from dry mouth, it's vital to consult with a physician. They can determine if there are any medical issues that could be the cause. If your doctor decides you suffer from anxiety, they may suggest treatments.
Anxiety can cause dry mouth because of the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol that are released when you are feeling stressed or anxious. These hormones can increase the heart rate and respiration to aid you in battling or running away from danger. However, they could cause digestive issues and other physical signs.
You might also notice dry mouth when you are stressed or take medication that reduces saliva production. SSRIs (which are usually prescribed to treat anxiety) can cause dryness in the mouth. These drugs block the actions of acetylcholine. It is a neurotransmitter in involuntary muscle movements and bodily functions like salivation, digestion, and urination.
If you're experiencing a dry mouth, it's essential to drink plenty of fluids and practice relaxation techniques to ease your anxiety-related symptoms. If your anxiety is serious and you're suffering from mental illness, a mental health professional may suggest other options for treatment like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as exposure response prevention, and complementary wellness practices such as meditation and yoga.
Shortness of Breath
If you feel weak when you exercise, or at other times throughout the day, this symptom can be a sign that you're experiencing anxiety. This symptom is common to various types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and panic disorders. In many cases, anxiety can cause muscle tension, which can cause feeling out of breath, specifically in the shoulders and back area. These tensions can result in a cycle that can exacerbate physical symptoms.
This and other physical reactions can be triggered by anxiety as a result of the body's fight or flight response. This is a necessary response in resolving a threat but if it is triggered long-term by chronic anxiety, it can cause negative effects.
When you experience anxiety, the body can't distinguish that you're not in danger and there's no reason to feel this way. This can lead to the perception that you are constantly in danger, even when you're not. This is why it's important to consult a mental health professional.
When you feel anxious your body releases a variety of stress hormones. These hormones stimulate your body to react as when you're in danger, which could include feelings like shortness of breath. This is a normal reaction, but it can be difficult to distinguish from other illnesses or conditions that can trigger this symptoms. It can be caused by heart disease or a blood clot in the lung or pneumonia. You should consult with your doctor about running tests and determine whether you have a underlying problem that may be causing the symptoms.