Stress and anxiety can cause symptoms such as digestive problems, muscle tension, and insomnia.

You may feel anxious, nervous, or fearful about everyday events if you suffer from anxiety. These feelings can be distressing and hard to control. These feelings can make life difficult.

Anxiety may also lead to physical symptoms. Imagine a time you felt anxious. Perhaps your legs or hands were shaking. You might have touched your heart rate increase. You might have felt sick.

Perhaps you attributed these symptoms to nervousness. However, you may not have known why you were feeling unwell.

Anxiety is a common problem. Anxiety is a serious condition or disorder that persists for long periods, causes distress or interferes with your life.

Anxiety can be classified into:

• Panic disorders
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
• Separation anxiety
• social anxiety
• phobias
• obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Certain types of anxiety are characterized by unique symptoms specific to the fear associated with the stress. However, anxiety disorders all share several physical symptoms.

Learn more about the physical symptoms of anxiety and how they may affect you.

How anxiety affects the body

Anxiety symptoms can affect your health and everyday life.

Anxiety symptoms can manifest in physical symptoms.

• stomach pain, nausea, or digestive trouble
• insomnia (or other sleep problems, such as waking up often)
• Weakness or fatigue
• Shortness of breath or rapid breathing
• Heart rate or pounding heart
• sweating
• Shaking or trembling
• Muscle tension or pain

This was helpful. Additional physical symptoms may accompany certain types of anxiety.

You might experience a panic attack if you:

• Fear that you are going to die
• You may have difficulty breathing or feel like you are choking.
• You may experience numbness or tingling in certain parts of your body
• Chest pain
• Feel dizzy or lightheaded?
• Feeling overheated or having chills

Stress, or anxiety, is the body's way of alerting you to danger and helping you prepare for it. The fight-or-flight response is what we call this.

You breathe quickly when you feel threatened. Your lungs try to get more oxygen into your system if you run away. You may feel like you are not getting enough oxygen, which can cause anxiety and panic.

The body was not designed to be constantly on alert. However, chronic anxiety can cause your body to be in a constant state of fight-or-flight.

You may be able to escape danger by tensing your muscles, but this can lead to tension headaches and migraines.

Adrenaline and cortisol cause an increase in heartbeat and respiration, which is helpful when faced with danger. However, these hormones can also impact digestion and blood sugar.

These hormones may have long-term effects on your health if you are often anxious or stressed. You may also notice changes in your digestion.

Is anxiety a problem?

It's important to consult a physician if your symptoms affect your mental health or make your daily life difficult. Your primary care provider can rule out other medical conditions that may cause similar symptoms.

You may have anxiety if your symptoms are not medically based. Mental health professionals can diagnose anxiety disorders and other mental conditions.

There is no medical test to determine anxiety. However, a psychologist, psychiatrist, therapist, or counselor can use screening tools to decide whether or not you are suffering from anxiety.

A mental health professional will ask about your physical and emotional symptoms to determine if you have an anxiety disorder. For example, you'll be asked how long you have had the symptoms, if they have increased in intensity, or if a certain event triggered them.

You should share the following important information with your therapist.

• Do you use drugs or other substances to get high?
• Are you hurting or thinking about hurting others or yourself?

Both of these factors can affect diagnosis and treatment. Some people suffer from anxiety and other mental conditions, such as depressive disorder. You can get the best diagnosis and treatment by telling your therapist all your symptoms.

Get help for anxiety.

Anxiety can increase your risk of physical problems. According to the Anxiety Depression Association (ADAA), you are at an increased risk.

A studyTrustedSource in 2015 of 989 adults revealed that anxiety symptoms are associated with ulcers. This same study found that anxiety symptoms and depression symptoms increase the likelihood of a person developing:

• The following are some of the reasons why you should consider buying asthma.
• Heart problems
• Migraine
• Vision problems
• Back problems

Further research has linked anxiety and asthma. According to a study by Trusted Source, asthma, and pressure are related.

Source Research also suggests that anxiety may be associated with increased heart disease and heart failure risks. However, strokes have not been confirmed as a risk factor.

In a 2017 studyTrusted Source, older adults were found to be more anxious. In addition, anxiety and depression were linked to increased asthma, vision, and stomach problems.

It's vital to seek help because anxiety can be so harmful. Mild anxiety can go away by itself or when the event that caused it is over. Chronic stress, however, may persist and worsen.

Ask your primary care provider to refer you if you need help figuring out where to look.

You can also find a therapist near you by using a directory of therapists. In addition, you can discover anxiety-specific providers if you suspect you suffer from anxiety.

Find Help for Anxiety

• ADAA Online Support Group
• Text CONNECT 741741 to the Crisis Text Line
• Find treatment near you with SAMHSA.
• ADAA Therapist Directory

This was helpful. Treatment of physical symptoms of anxiety

The severity of your anxiety symptoms will determine the treatment you receive.

The two main treatments for anxiety are therapy and medication. In addition, talk therapy or medication to reduce stress can often improve physical symptoms.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of many effective and common treatment options for anxiety.

Therapy alone may be helpful. However, if your symptoms do not improve, you may want to discuss anxiety medication with a psychiatrist.

Take action to reduce anxiety symptoms on your own.

Self-Care for Anxiety

• If you can, be physically active: Exercise helps reduce stress and improves physical health. Sit outside every day if you are unable to be physically active. More and more research shows that nature is good for mental health.
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine. All of these substances can worsen anxiety.
• Relaxation techniques can be helpful. Yoga and meditation can be beneficial. Although these techniques are safe, you may experience an increase in pressure.
• Give sleep a priority: Sleep problems often accompany stress. Sleep as much as possible. Resting can help you deal with anxiety symptoms. More sleep may also help reduce anxiety symptoms.

This was helpful. Frequently Asked Questions

What are the common symptoms of anxiety?

When anxious, you may experience racing thoughts and physical symptoms such as difficulty breathing, tense muscles, trembling, and rapid heartbeat. You may also experience pain and bloating around your abdomen. These symptoms result from a stress response when the body releases cortisol to prepare for "fight or flee."

What causes anxiety?

Causes vary greatly between individuals. Triggers can include:

• Public speaking or confrontation.
• Illness.
• Driving fast roads works.
• A high-profile wedding.
• Even a workplace.

An anxiety disorder can cause people to become anxious without apparent reasons.

How can I reduce anxiety?

You can calm yourself down by deep breathing when anxiety strikes. Yoga, visualization, and meditation are also effective techniques. Exercise and sleeping enough can help you in the long run. A doctor may prescribe medication or counseling if anxiety is difficult to control.