Anxiety is not age-bound. Anyone can have it. Anxiety is a typical response to stress in the short term. But long-term anxiety can have real bodily consequences.
When you’re anxious, you may have a pounding heart, tense muscles, an upset stomach, and feel weary. Mind and body are tightly intertwined and mental stress can manifest physically.
At Grace Health Clinic & Urgent Care, we frequently treat patients experiencing the unexpected physical symptoms of anxiety.
Let’s explore the different ways your body can react to anxiety.
What Are the Physical Signs of Anxiety?
Many people think anxiety only happens in the brain. That is not true. The brain and body speak to each other constantly. Your brain recognizes fear or anxiety and signals your body to act. This may be referred to as the “fight or flight” reflex.
The National Institute of Mental Health recognizes that anxiety can cause real physical symptoms.
Here are some common physical signs you might feel:
- A very fast heartbeat
- Sweaty hands
- A tight chest
- A sore stomach
- Feeling very tired
These symptoms may be frightening if you’re not aware that they could be related to anxiety. It may share symptoms with other medical conditions as well, so you should be evaluated if symptoms are new-onset, more intense, or lasting.
How Does Anxiety Change Your Heart and Breathing?
When you feel anxious, your brain feels you are in danger and releases stress hormones such as adrenaline. Adrenaline gives your body an energy burst to respond to a threat.
As a result, your heart pumps blood faster to your arms and legs and your breathing may become faster and shallower. This is useful in case of a need to flee from danger.
However, if you are sitting at home and worrying, your body can still react as if you have the urge to flee. Your heart is still beating fast. This can cause a tight, uncomfortable sensation in the chest.
Do not ignore chest pain, trouble breathing, fainting, or feeling very sick. Call 911 or go to the emergency room. Do not think it is “just worry.”
Why Do I Feel Dizzy All the Time?
Anxiety causes you to start breathing very quickly, and this is a natural response. Your lungs are making an effort to take in more air. It’s possible that taking rapid, short breaths could cause your head to spin. Feelings of fainting or dizziness are possible. Simply put, your body is attempting to protect you from harm!
Can Anxiety Cause Stomach Problems?
Yes. The gut-brain axis is a complicated network of impulses and nerves between the brain and the stomach. Anxiety can send signals to the brain that can disrupt the way you digest food.
Anxiety doesn’t just “stop” digestion. Rather, it can slow down or speed up digestion, or make it more sensitive.
What Are the Common Stomach-Related Issues?
Your brain and tummy are connected. Worry can change how your tummy works. You may:
- Feel sick or throw up
- Have runny poop or go to the bathroom a lot
- Have hard poop or trouble going
- Have a puffy or sore tummy
- Not feel hungry
- Want to eat a lot, especially comfort foods
- Have a burning feeling in your chest or tummy
If tummy problems do not stop, talk to a doctor. Worry can be part of it, but other things may cause it too.
How Do Tight Muscles Lead to Pain?
Notice how your body feels now! Do you feel that your jaws are closed very tightly? Do your fists make contact?
Anxiety can contribute to muscle tightness as part of the fight-or-flight reaction. This is your body’s way of fighting back. However, if you are anxious for much of the time, your muscles may stay tight for hours or for the entire day.
You may notice:
- Tight shoulders
- Jaw clenching
- Headaches
- Neck pain
- Back pain
- Headache tension/migraine
When muscle tension is continued for long periods, it can lead to pain and discomfort. Both relaxation skills and stretching, along with physical therapy and anxiety treatment, can assist with this.
Is Anxiety the Reason You Feel Tired All the Time?
Anxiety can be exhausting. Your brain may be constantly alert, your muscles may be tense and your body may feel ready for action even when you are trying to rest. This can drain your energy.
Sleep is also impacted by anxiety. It may be hard to fall asleep, to get up during the night, or to not fall asleep but to lie awake worrying. You might feel as though you didn’t get any rest at all the following morning.
Seek a doctor’s advice if fatigue is interfering with your life. Anxiety might play a role, but there might be other medical explanations for fatigue, including a thyroid disorder, anemia, sleep disorders, or depression.
How Do Stress and Anxiety Compare?
Stress and anxiety are easily confused. They sound alike, but they’re a bit different. This is an easy comparison table for you.
| Feature | Stress | Anxiety |
| Why it happens | Caused by a clear event, like a big test. | Often happens for no clear reason. |
| How long it lasts | Usually goes away when the event is over. | Can last for a very long time. |
| How it feels | You feel frustrated and very tense. | You feel a deep fear and high alert. |
At Grace Health Clinic & Urgent Care, we often see patients who think they have a physical illness. Sometimes, tests show their body is fine, but they are dealing with heavy worry. We offer many services, including Urgent Care, to help figure out what is making you feel sick.
FAQs About Anxiety and Health
What is the most common physical symptom of anxiety?
There are no special common signs. A racing heartbeat, muscle tension, sweating, dizziness, stomach upset and fatigue are all common symptoms that many people experience.
Can anxiety make me sick?
Yes. The physical symptoms of anxiety include stomach pains/harness, headaches and body aches. These symptoms may occur with other causes, and that’s why medical evaluation might be necessary.
How many days until physical symptoms go away?
Symptoms may persist for several minutes, as would be the case with a panic attack, or several hours and even days later. Anxiety can stay a problem if it happens continuously and the physical symptoms will continue until the anxiety is addressed.
Take Care of Your Mind and Body
Physical and mental health go hand-in-hand. It’s not possible to have one without the other. Taking care of anxiety will reward your body.
If anxiety or related symptoms are present, it is advisable to seek medical advice and proper guidance from a doctor.
At Grace Health Clinic & Urgent Care, we can help with many physical symptoms linked to anxiety. We offer same-day appointments, walk-in care and a $200 flat-rate fee for most services, even without insurance. For the care you need, visit https://gracehealthclinicuc.com/ or call (360) 200-1696.
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