Anxiety
Managing The Symptoms of Anxiety & Stress
According to a Hartman Group research study, over half of North American consumers are dealing with one or more chronic conditions in their households. Many are treating, on average, 3.5 conditions. Anxiety and stress appear to be impacting almost 63% of North Americans. This is often the reason for many of the symptoms people may be experiencing. People do not realize that anxiety comes with many physical symptoms. Those who suffer from untreated anxiety, who have never sought help for their condition, often worry that there is something medically wrong with them. This can further add to the stress and anxiety that they have been feeling.
It is hard to have a full, happy, and energetic life when stress-related symptoms take over. You may be feeling any number of symptoms. Fatigue, shortness of breath, headache, dizziness, nausea, sweating, and rapid heart rate are all signs of stress. Being able to recognize the physical symptoms associated with anxiety is essential. There are a few physical manifestations of anxiety/stress that people may notice when they are in the midst of an anxiety/stress attack. There are physical signs of anxiety that can occur even when you don’t think you have a reason to be anxious. There can be lasting physical effects of anxiety on your overall health.
Common Physical Symptoms of Anxiety
There are a number of symptoms due to stress and anxiety. Often we assume that symptoms are a result of not taking care and getting enough sleep or exercise. Perhaps you are not eating well and associate your symptoms with poor physical care, rather than the underlying stress. This causes a vicious cycle in your self-care routine. It is hard to tell which one came first.
Our body’s main function is to operate in an optimal fashion where many of the following symptoms are absent. You may experience temporary benefits from readily available over-the-counter medications, but your body is not receiving the long-term relief that it needs. Some of the more common stress-related symptoms can include:
Headache
It is quite common for people with anxiety to experience frequent headaches. The headaches may come on when you are in a situation that is causing you severe anxiety. However, they may also come on only because of the stress your body is going through due to the constant feeling of dread or fear.
Nausea
Many people experience nausea when they experience a lot of anxiety. You may feel nauseous right after eating or whenever you are in a nervous situation. The stress of your anxiety can cause a buildup stomach acid, and over time this can cause ongoing digestive issues.
Frequent Urination or Diarrhea
Some people experience frequent urination or diarrhea when they have a lot of anxiety. This is your body's reaction to the stress that it is being put under because of the anxiety. Stress causes a build-up of cortisol, which can cause urination or bowel irregularities.
Excessive Sweating
Many people experience excessive sweating frequently when they have anxiety. Excessive sweating can happen even if you are trying to remain calm.
Chest Pain
Some people experience chest pain when they have an anxiety or panic attack. Chest pain will likely be centered, and you may feel as though you are experiencing a heart attack.
Shortness of Breath
Many people with anxiety discover that they have a hard time breathing when faced with high anxiety situations. Your breathing may come short and rapid, and you may hyperventilate.
Dizziness
Due to the rapid heart rate and the shortness of breath, many people also experience dizziness when they are having an anxiety attack or are in high anxiety situations.
Rapid Heartbeat
During an anxiety attack or increased situational anxiety, you may experience a rapid heart rate or feel like your heart is pounding in your chest. This can frequently happen if you often feel anxious. A frequent, rapid, and prolonged heart rate may increase your risk for heart disease and certain heart conditions.
Digestive Issues
Digestive issues can abound when you have high anxiety for a long period. Increased stomach acid for an extended period can lead to acid reflux or stomach ulcers. The build-up of cortisol combined with extreme stress can also cause medical conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
We Can Help
Given that there can be lasting impacts to any of these symptoms going unchecked, it is important to begin the investigative process of understanding the role stress is playing on your physical body. The symptoms you are experiencing may be exacerbated by your stress. It can be hard to reduce stress and anxiety by yourself. This is where a holistic approach to identifying, understanding, and managing your physical symptoms and triggers for your stress can reverse the cycle of your cognitive and physical decline.
Addressing your anxiety and managing it effectively can help prevent the anxiety from causing long-term health effects. If you think you might need assistance, we can help. We will start with an in-depth consultation where we listen to your case and understand the symptoms being experienced. We will figure out through several assessment tools how we can get you living stress-free, taking no medication, and enjoying all the activities you love to participate in.
Join Our Mailing List
Never miss an update
