Physical Symptoms of Anxiety

Chronic anxiety can cause physical symptoms and keep our bodies on alert. These symptoms could include:

Get regular check-ups. Untreated anxiety could lead to heart problems and other medical issues. Consult your physician about ways to combat these symptoms, such as cutting down on caffeine and avoid drinking alcohol or street drugs that are recreational.

Muscles that are tight

Muscle tension is a common sign of anxiety. It can cause pain or stiffness in your neck, shoulders hands, chest, and back. The stress caused by anxiety can affect your posture and breathing.

The muscle tension associated with anxiety is often short-lived and usually disappears once the triggering event or circumstance has passed. For some, however, the muscle tension can be chronic and cause long-term issues.

Muscles that are tight can be a sign of anxiety because the fight-or-flight stress response triggers your body to prepare itself for danger by pumping more blood to muscles, which increases their strength and gives them more oxygen so they can evade or fight a physical danger. The increase in blood flow is the reason why your heart beats more quickly, and also the reason you breathe faster when you're stressed.

In an anxiety attack an increase in blood flow and rapid breathing can temporarily increase your immune system's ability to help you deal with any perceived threat or stress. When you experience anxiety regularly the increased alertness may become a part of your everyday life and trigger long-term symptoms, such as breathing difficulties and muscle tightness.

A lot of the physical symptoms of anxiety, like fatigue, achy muscles and joints are a result of your body's release a flood of chemicals and hormones into your system in preparation to defend itself or flee from any perceived threat. This continuous state of alertness can cause you to feel tired and feeling as if you've got an unending stomachache or headache.

Heart rate changes

Anxiety can make your heart run faster, which can lead to chest pain and shortness of breath. Stress triggers adrenal glands, such as adrenaline or cortisol to release hormones that raise blood pressure and heart rate. This is a beneficial response in real emergencies in situations where you have to pump more blood into your muscles to ensure you can escape or fight a threat. But it can be harmful when it happens every day, as it increases the risk of developing heart disease and other health problems.

You may be noticing that your stomach is more agitated when you're stressed. The body's fight or flight response can keep you on edge, and impact digestion. This can cause symptoms such as abdominal discomfort, constipation diarrhea or irritablebowel syndrome. People with anxiety might also experience sleep problems or have a harder time sleeping because they're constantly on edge. Stress hormones can cause the immune system to weaken, increasing the risk of catching colds or other infections.

If you experience these physical symptoms of anxiety, it's a good idea to speak to your doctor. They can test for medical issues that can cause similar symptoms anxiety, like a thyroid problem. It's a good idea however, to speak with a mental health expert who can guide you on how to manage your anxiety and stop the physical symptoms. They may recommend treatments such as psychodynamic psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy, which will help you replace negative thoughts with positive ones. It's also best to not take your pulse as it can increase the feeling of anxiety.

Tingling in your hands and feet

A tingling feeling in your hands and feet could be a sign of anxiety. Tingling in your hands or feet is also known as 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 feelings of anxiety your body is trying to shield you from perceived danger or harm by releasing hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones trigger a variety of physical responses, including changes in your blood circulation.

As part of the fight or fight response the body redirects blood flow away from peripheral areas to the major muscle groups that might require assistance with a potential physical action. This can result in a decreased blood flow to the feet and hands which could cause sensations of tingling. The sensation will likely be more noticeable during periods of anxiety or stress and will likely disappear when the tension subsides.

If your tingling continues You should talk to your doctor. They can assist you in managing anxiety, and reduce the tingling in your hands and feet.

Although tingling sensations in your hands or feet can be a sign of serious medical problem they are typically caused by stress. Exercise regularly to increase blood flow, or try relaxation techniques. Sleeping enough is important, as anxiety can influence your sleep habits. Limiting your alcohol and caffeine intake can also help. Contact the FastMed Urgent Care to speak with a medical professional about your symptoms if you experience a sudden feeling of numbness or tingling sensations in your feet or hands.

Dry mouth

If you're feeling anxious your body could begin to change the method of producing saliva. This condition is known as dry mouth, and could indicate that you're suffering from separation anxiety disorder symptoms in adults. It can be a side-effect of certain medications like antidepressants and antipsychotics.

If you experience dry mouth, it's important to consult a doctor. They can rule out any medical issues that could be the cause. If your doctor decides you are suffering from anxiety, they will recommend treatment options.

The stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline are released when you experience anxiety or fear. These hormones can boost the rate of your heart and breathing to help you fight or run away from a threat. However, they could also trigger digestive issues and other physical signs.

You may also experience a feeling of dry mouth if under stress or taking medications that decrease saliva production. SSRIs (which are commonly prescribed to combat anxiety) can cause dryness in the mouth. These drugs inhibit the action of acetylcholine, which is a neurotransmitter that is involved in voluntary movements and bodily functions like salivation, digestion and urination.

If you have a dry mouth and experience anxiety, it is recommended to drink lots of water and practice relaxation techniques. If your anxiety is serious and you're suffering from mental illness, a mental health professional might suggest other treatment options like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure response prevention, as well as complementary wellness practices such as meditation and yoga.

Breathing Shortness

The feeling of a shortness of breath could be an indication of anxiety whether you experience it when you exercise or at other times during the day. This symptom is linked to various types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and panic disorders. Often, anxiety can cause muscle tension, which can cause feeling out of breath, specifically in the shoulders and back region. These tensions can lead to an escalating cycle of depression and anxiety, which can further exacerbate the physical symptoms.

This, along with other physical reactions can be triggered by clinical anxiety symptoms because of the body's fight or flight response. This is a necessary response to respond to threats however, if it is activated for a long time due to chronic anxiety, it may have negative consequences.

When you feel anxious and stress, your body is unable to tell that you're not in danger and that there's no reason to feel this way. This can create the feeling that you're constantly in danger, even though you're not. That's why it's essential to consult an expert in mental health.

When you're anxious your body releases number of stress hormones. These hormones cause your body to respond as if you're in danger. This can lead to feeling shaky. This is a normal reaction however, it can be difficult to differentiate from other illnesses and conditions that could trigger this symptoms. For instance heart disease, blood clot in the lung or pneumonia all can trigger this. It's important to talk with your physician or health professional to run tests and determine if have an underlying condition which could be the cause of this feeling.