Physical Symptoms of Anxiety

The fight-or-flight response is designed to help us escape or confront danger, but anxiety can keep our bodies alert and trigger physical symptoms. These could include:

Get regular check-ups. Untreated anxiety may result in heart problems or other medical ailments. Talk to your doctor to find out ways to manage these symptoms. For example you can cut down on caffeine consumption fear and anxiety symptoms avoid drinking alcohol and recreational substances.

Muscles that are tight

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 stomach. The tension caused by anxiety can affect your posture and breathing.

Muscle tension is usually short-lived and disappears after the trigger event or situation has passed. But for some people, the muscle tension is chronic and could lead to chronic health issues if it is not treated.

Muscles that are tight can be an indication of anxiety since the stress response of fight or flight triggers your body to prepare for a threat by sending more blood to muscles, which increases their strength and supplies them with more oxygen so they can fight or escape any physical threat. This increased blood flow is the reason your heart beats faster and the reason you breathe faster when you are anxious.

In the event of an anxiety attack, an increase in blood flow and rapid breathing can temporarily boost your immune system to help you deal with a perceived stress or threat. If you experience anxiety on a regular basis, this heightened alertness can become a normal part of your life, leading to chronic, persistent symptoms such as breathlessness and muscle tightness.

A lot of the physical what symptoms for anxiety of anxiety, such as fatigue and achy muscles and joints are the result of your body's release of a flood of chemicals and hormones into your system in preparation to fight or escape any perceived threat. This constant state of alertness can make you feel exhausted and feel like you constantly have a headache or are experiencing stomach pain.

Heart rate changes

Anxiety can cause your heart to beat that can cause chest pain as well as shortness in breath. This is because the stress response triggers the adrenal glands to churn out hormones, such as cortisol or adrenaline, which raise the heart rate and blood pressure. This is a helpful response in situations of real emergency in situations where you have to pump more blood into your muscles to ensure you can flee or combat a threat. It can be harmful when you do it all the time because it increases the risk of heart disease.

You might also notice that your stomach gets more upset when you're feeling anxious. This is due to the body's fight-or flight response keeps you on edge and can impact digestion and cause abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome. People who are anxious may also experience sleep issues or have a harder time sleeping because they're constantly on edge. The constant increase in stress hormones can decrease the immune system which makes it more susceptible to contract the common cold or other infections.

If you experience these physical symptoms of anxiety, it's a great idea to speak to your doctor. They can check if there are any medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms. For example thyroid issues. However, it's also a good idea to find an expert in mental health who can help you discover ways to manage your anxiety to ensure that physical symptoms stop occurring. They may suggest therapies like psychodynamic psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy, which can teach you how to replace negative thoughts with more positive ones. It's also a good idea to avoid taking your pulse, as checking it can fuel the feelings of anxiety.

Tingling in your feet and hands

A tingling feeling in your feet and hands could be one of the symptoms of anxiety. Tingling in your hands or feet is also known as paresthesia and is a sign of the body's stress response which is triggered by anxiety. When you experience panic or other intense emotions, your body releases hormones like cortisol or adrenaline to protect yourself from perceived danger or harm. These hormones trigger a variety of physical responses, including changes in blood circulation.

As part of your fight or flight response, your body directs blood flow away from peripheral areas to the major muscle groups that may require assistance in physical activity. This could result in reduced blood flow to the feet and hands which could cause tingling. The tingling may be more evident during times of anxiety symptoms fatigue or stress and will likely fade after the tension has subsided.

If you are experiencing persistent tingling it is best to consult your doctor. They can help you discover ways to control your anxiety and reduce the discomfort in your hands and feet.

Although tingling sensations in your feet or hands can be an indication of a serious medical problem They are usually caused by stress. Do some exercise regularly to increase blood flow, or try relaxation techniques. Sleeping enough is vital, as anxiety could affect your sleeping habits. Limiting your caffeine and alcohol consumption can also aid. If you notice a sudden tingling in your feet or hands Contact a FastMed Urgent Care location to speak with a health care specialist about your symptoms.

Dry mouth

When you're anxious your body could begin to change the method of producing saliva. This condition is known as dry mouth, and it can be a sign that you are suffering from anxiety. It is a possible side-effect of certain medications, such as antidepressants and antipsychotics.

If you have a dry mouth, it's vital to see a doctor. They can rule out any medical issues which could be causing the issue. If your doctor has determined that you have anxiety symptoms even when not Anxious, they can recommend treatment options.

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

It's also possible to experience dry mouth if you're under stress or are taking medication that affects your saliva production. For instance, SSRIs, which are commonly prescribed for anxiety may cause dry mouth. They block the actions of acetylcholine, which is a neurotransmitter involved in the involuntary movement of muscles and bodily functions like digestion, salivation and urination.

If you're experiencing a dry mouth, it's essential to consume plenty of fluids and practice relaxation techniques to alleviate your anxiety-related symptoms. If your anxiety is extreme, a mental health professional might recommend other treatment for anxiety symptoms options including cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) as well as the prevention of exposure to harmful substances, and complementary health practices, such as meditation and yoga.

Breathlessness

This feeling of shortness of breath can be an indication of anxiety whether you experience it when you exercise or at other times during the day. This symptom is linked to all kinds 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, especially in the shoulders and back region. These tensions can result in the cycle of depression and anxiety, which can further exacerbate the physical symptoms.

This and other physical reactions can be triggered by anxiety because of the body's fight or flight response. This response is required in order to react to threat, but it could have negative effects when chronic anxiety activates it.

When you experience anxiety it is because your body doesn't know that you aren't in danger and that 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 crucial to consult an expert in mental health.

When you are stressed your body releases numerous stress hormones. These hormones cause your body to respond as being in danger, which could include feelings like shortness of breath. This is a normal reaction, but it can be difficult for you to distinguish from other illnesses or conditions that can trigger this sign. For instance, heart disease, a blood clot in the lung, or pneumonia all can trigger this. You should speak with your doctor to run tests and determine if you have a underlying problem which could be the cause of the sensation.