What Are the Physical Symptoms of Anxiety?

Many people find out they suffer from anxiety based on physical symptoms, like a racing heart or sweating. The body's fight or flight response is designed to help you get away from danger as fast as you can.

This response can cause physical discomfort and discomfort if it's chronic anxiety physical symptoms. Here are a few of the most frequent physical symptoms of anxiety:

Heart palpitations

Heart palpitations are a typical sign of anxiety. They're the sensation that your heartbeat is skipping. The fluttering, or flipping, sensation could make you dizzy and feel lightheaded. The heart rate can be higher or frequent when someone is having an anxiety attack. These instances can be terrifying.

This is due to the body's natural response to fight or flight that is designed to help you escape or fight against a real threat. When you're stressed the system is activated, even though no danger exists.

The problem is, this response is so strong that it could result in a variety of physical symptoms, like stomach pain, shakiness or headaches. It can also cause irritable bowels syndrome and difficulty sleeping.

It's important to note that heart palpitations are generally benign, but they can be a sign of an existing heart problem like atrial fibrillation. Speak to your doctor right away when you are experiencing any of these symptoms. They could conduct an ECG or refer you to a specialist, according to what they believe is the root cause.

In some instances doctors may suggest treatments to reduce anxiety symptoms treatment and stress. Cognitive behavior therapy, where you are taught how to change your mental attitude and response to situations, and relaxation techniques such a meditation and deep breathing, are just a few examples of these treatments. They might prescribe medication such as beta-blockers, which are generally prescribed to treat high blood tension but can also slow down the heart rate.

You could also try "vagal maneuvers" that involve performing activities such as bearing down or squeezing your stomach, holding your breath or splashing cold water over your face to decrease the heart's electrical stimulation. These can help to slow your heartbeat and stop the irregular beats that can cause anxiety.

Breathing quickly

If someone is anxious, the body releases hormones to prepare the body for fighting or fleeing from any immediate threat. This response causes the blood to flow to the legs and arms and may make you feel short of breath. This is because your body is using all the oxygen available to help fight or run away. The sensation of being short of breath is not harmful but it can be a bit frightening for certain people.

If a person is experiencing anxiety on a daily basis, and it is causing them difficulties in their daily life, they should talk to their healthcare provider. They can prescribe medication or teach methods for managing stress. A health professional can also determine if the symptoms are related to anxiety or another medical issue.

For instance, breathing problems can be a sign of lung or heart diseases. If someone feels that breath shortness is caused by one of these issues it is important to seek medical attention as soon as they can.

Breathing exercises are a great method to reduce anxiety. Concentrating on breathing deeply into your abdomen can help reduce anxiety and slow down the heartbeat. Avoiding smoking and drinking caffeine-containing beverages can help lessen anxiety symptoms.

While some anxiety is normal, persistent worry could mean that you have anxiety disorder. Contact us today to make an appointment with a counselor if you need help dealing with anxiety. We can teach you the tools to live a life that is free of anxiety.

Tight muscles

Everyone experiences stiff muscles from time time However, if they develop into an ongoing issue it could be a sign of anxiety. The fight-or-flight response releases stress hormones that affect your whole body, including the muscles. These hormones aren't necessarily bad thing however, if they stay in your body for long durations, they can weaken your immune system and cause health problems, such as high blood pressure or heart disease.

Your body isn't meant to be constantly in a state of alert. If you are experiencing these symptoms regularly then it's time to talk to your doctor.

If you notice an increase in heart rate, sweating or shaky hand, these are classic symptoms of a panic attack. These can happen without warning and require immediate attention. The symptoms usually occur within a matter of minutes, but they will subside as your body slows down.

Anxiety can also cause your gastrointestinal system to go out of balance. People who are anxious often experience stomach pains and constipation, diarrhea or the feeling of their stomach "getting stuck." This is thought to be a result of the connection between your brain and your digestive tract.

Muscle tightness is another common symptom of anxiety, as is joint pain and fatigue. Insistent tightness may cause you to tighten your jaw or pull on your skin, and can disrupt your sleep and your daily activities. It's a good idea to seek out an acupuncturist when you experience this. They can identify the cause of your discomfort and give you a home exercise program that will aid.

Nausea or vomiting

In many cases, anxiety symptoms appear so real that we mistake them for physical symptoms. It could lead to a search for the root of the problem even if symptoms are frequent and interfere with your daily life. This is why it's important to consult with your physician if you're experiencing anxiety-related symptoms, especially when they last for long periods of time.

The body's stress response can increase the speed at which your heart pumps blood around your body, which can cause chest discomfort and breath shortness. Hyperventilation could also be a cause of increased breathing. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, this can increase many of the physical anxiety symptoms listed above because it disturbs the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood.

Stress on your digestive system is usually the reason for nausea or vomiting. This is why avoiding foods such as alcohol, chocolate, and caffeine can ease nausea that is associated with anxiety. You can also eat something simple like bread or crackers. It's recommended to drink water and other clear liquids when you're feeling nauseated to avoid dehydration.

Some people are able to stop nausea caused by anxiety through learning techniques like deep breathing and mindfulness. This way, the symptoms won't show up until it's too much. This can also help them to manage their anxiety symptoms before they become nauseating. Or prevent their anxiety from becoming worse, so they can sleep better. Some people might also benefit from visiting an expert in mental health care for treatment for anxiety symptoms of anxiety, such as psychologists or psychiatrists.

Headaches

A headache is a frequent sign of anxiety. When you're stressed and your brain is racing about a fear or concern that feels all-consuming and your body releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline in order in order to help you deal with a threat, the Mayo Clinic explains. These chemicals are helpful in response to the threat of danger, but in the case of constant anxiety or intense, they could be harmful.

Your body isn't meant to be in constant fight-or-flight mode, and that could affect your physical health. Tensed muscles that prepare your body to run or escape, for example can trigger tension headaches and migraines. If you have frequent headaches, think about cutting down on caffeine and other substances that trigger them.

Anxiety can also mess with your period, causing bloating and abdominal cramps and possible causing missed or irregular menstrual cycles according to the Cleveland Clinic reports. The high levels of hormones bowel anxiety symptoms causes can interfere with the release of progesterone, which induces ovulation, and estrogen.

Talk to a doctor if your anxiety is severe. Your doctor will inquire about your anxiety-related symptoms and perform a physical exam to determine the cause of your anxiety. Your provider will ask you about your daily routine, and how anxiety affects daily activities.

A primary care physician or psychiatrist can assist you to deal with anxiety. A psychiatrist can prescribe medications that can help control your symptoms, like an antidepressant, anti-anxiety drug or sedative. You can also try relaxation techniques such as meditation or deep breathing, and exercise to lower the stress levels.