Are anxiety symptoms physical symptoms of health anxiety (sciencewiki.science)?

Many people are aware that worry and fear are signs of anxiety. The physical symptoms of anxiety are more alarming and can even be a sign of heart attacks.

Seek help if your physical symptoms and worries interfere with your daily routine. Your doctor is likely to conduct tests to rule out a medical cause for your symptoms.

Pressure or Pain in the Chest

The symptoms of anxiety can include chest discomfort, which can be initially frightening. Some people worry that they're suffering from heart attacks when they feel chest pain, but it's more likely that the symptoms are caused by anxiety as opposed to something more serious.

When someone is anxious their body and brain release an immediate stress response. This includes a physical reaction like sweating, nausea and breathing shortness. It could also be accompanied by tension in muscles and tingling fingers and feet. This is the fight or flight response and is designed to aid anyone in a potentially dangerous situation.

Chest pain due to anxiety can be felt as a sharp or stabbing feeling that's centered in the chest. The pain is typically accompanied by a sense of heavyness or pressure. It usually subsides within minutes. Anxiety can cause pain in the arms, shoulders or jaw.

Another sign of anxiety is a change in heart rate. This can lead to a rapid heartbeat that feels like the heart is skipping beats or racing. This is an indication of the heart working harder to get more oxygen into the bloodstream.

It is important to consult a doctor if you have chest pain or other signs of anxiety. They can identify the cause and rule out heart issues such as coronary artery disease. If they discover the cause is anxiety, a doctor may recommend psychotherapy or medication to help alleviate the symptoms and reduce them in time.

Tingling or Numbness of the Arms and Legs

It can be very unnerving to experience numbness in your arms or legs. It can be a feeling that is temporary or is experienced on a regular basis. The feeling of numbness may be a result of other symptoms of anxiety like sweating, headache or shortness of breath. It could also be a symptom that is a part of stress that is chronic or excessive or it could occur by itself.

Tingling in your feet or hands can be an indication that you are feeling anxious. These symptoms could be the result of a reaction to fight or flight. When you're afraid your body is preparing to respond by increasing blood flow to the muscles and vital organs, while reducing it in other areas. This redirected flow can cause numbness to the extremities.

While it's important to realize that not every tingling or the sensation of numbness can be attributed to anxiety, it's equally important to realize that the symptom can be caused by other medical issues such as nerve damage, diabetes, or an infection. The best way to rule out an underlying issue is to make an appointment with your doctor.

You can lessen anxiety by reducing your worries. This will eliminate the numbness and tingling caused by anxiety. Try relaxation techniques, self care strategies, or speak to a trusted person about your concerns. If you are still struggling with anxiety, consider joining a support group for anxiety. Many people find that talking to people can help them deal with their anxiety. There are a variety of anxiety-relieving techniques on the internet like meditation and yoga. You can also ask your GP to provide you with advice or refer you for counseling services.

Weakness or Fainting

Anxiety can cause a person to feel weak or faint due to a reduction in blood flow to their brain and muscles. This can be a scary feeling as it can make you feel like there's something wrong with you. Tell your doctor if you feel weak or faint, so they can determine if there is a underlying health issue. This includes monitoring your blood pressure, heart rate, thyroid, and other medical conditions which could be causing the symptoms.

If you think you have anxiety, you should discuss with your doctor the symptoms and how they affect your life. Your doctor can help determine what's causing anxiety and offer solutions. They'll start by conducting a physical exam anxiety symptoms and they'll also ask about your medical history and any medications you're taking (including over-the-counter, herbal remedies and recreational drugs).

Some people develop anxiety disorders as a result of a traumatic experience or stress in their life. Others have a genetic predisposition to develop anxiety disorders, and some people use certain medications that could cause anxiety disorders. It's not known what causes anxiety disorders however, the brain can release stress anxiety symptoms hormones in response to a person's anxiety or stress. These hormones can cause long-term health effects.

People suffering from anxiety often withdraw from friends and family and avoid certain places or activities and spend a lot of time seeking comfort to ease their anxieties. This can lead to social anxiety and depression. Mental health treatment helps people stop anxious behaviors, accept body sensations and manage thoughts of worry. Certain kinds of therapy, like cognitive-behavioral therapy are particularly beneficial for those suffering from health anxiety.

Muscles are tense or braced

For most people, anxiety-induced muscle tension is a temporary sensation that fades after the stressful experience has ended. For some, however, anxiety-induced muscle tightness is chronic that lasts for a few days or even weeks. This can result in stiffness and pains in the shoulders, backs and chests, faces, necks and stomachs as well as other body parts.

Stress triggers a variety of physical reactions to prepare your body for flight or fight. This includes an increase in blood flow to the muscles, allowing them to react quickly, in addition to tension in the muscles. This can be a good thing, as it allows you to stay away from danger or deal with an emergency situation. But, if your body is on high alert at all times like it is with chronic anxiety, these symptoms could develop into long-term problems.

Hyperstimulation is one of the most frequently cited causes. It occurs when your body's survival instinct is triggered repeatedly. This could cause your body to become stuck in the fight-or flight response, triggering anxiety-related symptoms like a rapid pulse, dizziness or jitteriness.

Support and encouragement can help someone experiencing these symptoms frequently break the cycle. You can also distract your friend by inviting him to look through an album of photos or wash his clothes. This can help ease his mind off his anxiety. Encourage them to consult a mental health professional or physician for an evaluation. This could include an examination for medical or laboratory tests to rule out any other health concerns.

Dry Mouth

When you feel anxiety the body's fight-or-flight response is activated. This causes a surge of adrenaline and other hormones, to get into your bloodstream. It also increases the rate of your pulse and breathing so that more oxygen can reach your brain. These effects can prepare you for an emergency situation however, they may make you feel uneasy and exhausted.

It is also possible to experience dry mouth if you are anxious. It may feel as if you're dehydrated, however this isn't the case. Dry mouth is caused by nervous system's hyperarousal. This can also cause your stomach to produce more acid.

In addition when you are stressed you may breathe through your mouth rather than your nose. This can cause excessive swallowing which dries the throat. This is also an adverse effect of many anxiety medications, such as antidepressants.

If you suffer from dry mouth, try drinking water or chewing sugar-free gum to increase saliva production. If you are taking medication that causes dry mouth, speak to your doctor about switching to a different medication.

If you experience a dry mouth, and it isn't getting better with medication, you can try relaxation techniques or therapy. This can aid in managing your anxiety. It is essential to seek treatment for anxiety-related symptoms immediately when they start to show in order to not allow the condition to worsen. Find an online therapist at BetterHelp which is home to more than 20,000 licensed therapists offering affordable and efficient online therapy. Begin your free online assessment to be assigned to a therapist who is suitable for you. This article first appeared on Anxiety UK.