Thanks to the brain-gut axis connection, diarrhea and stomach pain are common responses to stress hormones and blood rapidly moving away from the stomach to oxygenate the brain. Additionally, the release of stress hormones, like cortisol, can increase the secretion of stomach acid, which can lead to stomach pain, nausea, and, in extreme cases, stomach ulcers.
If you're experiencing frequent, long-term gut problems, talk to your doctor about being assessed for IBS, as this condition can be exacerbated by anxiety.
Additionally, if anxiety and gut symptoms (like diarrhea, pain, or nausea) are causing you trouble, you may also want to look into helpful management tools like at-home hypnotherapy for IBS.
Headaches
Anxiety and stress can cause headaches. The most common type of headache associated with stress is a tension headache. These can be due to tense muscles in the head and jaw, resulting in clenching and grinding of the teeth.
Sweating
During a moment of panic or stress, adrenaline and cortisol are released, resulting in an increased heart rate and body temperature, causing you to sweat. A 2002 study also showed a link between excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) and people with social anxiety disorders.
Insomnia
It has been estimated that about 60% to 70% of people with General Anxiety Disorders (GAD) struggle with insomnia.
In addition to making people feel tired during the day, sleep disorders like insomnia can seriously affect the body and can contribute to heart disease, heart failure, irregular heartbeat, heart attack, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and obesity.
Dizziness
Anxiety dizziness is most commonly attributed to disruptions of the vestibular system, (workings of the inner ear that controls balance). When stress hormones are released into the bloodstream, high levels of cortisol can interfere with the correct functioning of the vestibular system, resulting in a feeling of vertigo.
Heart palpitations
When you're anxious, your heart is working double-time to pump oxygenated blood around your body to assist you in the perceived ‘emergency’.
Usually, heart palpitations caused by anxiety are short-lived and harmless. However, if you experience heart palpitations accompanied by chest pressure/pain, pain that radiates to the arm, jaw, or shoulder blades, or pain that gets worse over time, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Dry mouth
A recent study showed that anxiety, stress, and depression can significantly reduce your salivary flow rate and increase your experience of xerostomia (dry mouth).
Numbness/pins and needles
Typically, pins and needles or numbness in the hands and feet associated with anxiety are linked to hyperventilation. Rapid breathing is a common symptom of anxiety that can cause an imbalance of carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in the blood, which may result in tingling feeling or numbness.
Trembling or shaking
During the flight-or-fight response, your body is flooded with epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine which work together to increase your heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar to give you an energy boost. These complex bodily processes, in addition to blood quickly redirecting towards twitching muscles, can cause you to shake or tremble.
Muscle aches
Stress causes muscles to tense up to protect us from injury when our brain perceives danger. Normally, these muscles will release and soften again when you relax, however in people with anxiety, muscles may remain tense for extended periods leading to muscle aches.
Potentially more illnesses, like colds and sore throats
Although you might not feel this symptom immediately, anxiety can weaken the immune system over time.
A body under constant stress may struggle to return to a healthy, relaxed, and normal functioning state. During the flight-or-fight response, your system is fueled with hormones to keep you moving faster, stronger, and for longer, but this can be an exhausting process if it occurs too regularly.
Once your immune system is weakened, you may become more susceptible to infections and illnesses.
Managing anxiety in the body and mind
Both the mental and physical symptoms of anxiety are treatable and many people are able to find relief and improve their quality of life.
Some people may see improvements within a few weeks of treatment, whereas it may take longer for others, especially if they are struggling with multiple conditions or complex anxiety issues.
Some common treatments for anxiety include:
Psychological treatments
Psychological treatments (sometimes known as therapy, or talk therapy) can get you back in control of the physical and mental symptoms associated with anxiety.
There are many types of therapies available that can help alleviate symptoms, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, behavior therapy, counseling, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).
Because different types of therapy may be better suited to specific anxiety disorders, it's a good idea to consult with a doctor to see which treatment might work best for you.
Hypnotherapy for anxiety
Compelling scientific research suggests that hypnotherapy (a therapy-focused form of hypnosis) can be a cost-effective, non-addictive, and generally safe alternative to medication for the treatment of anxiety-related conditions.
A meta-analysis of 18 studies showed that the effects of Cognitive Behavioral Hypnotherapy enhanced treatment outcomes and long-term remission by 70% compared to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy alone.
Hypnotherapy apps for mental health can help people access high-quality at-home hypnotherapy at a more accessible price than in-person sessions.
Diet and Exercise
Eating a balanced diet of nutrient-dense foods not only helps to fuel your body but also helps to reduce the symptoms of anxiety. Similarly, various studies have shown that regular aerobic exercise can help improve anxiety symptoms and can lower your nervous systems' anxiety reactivity (how your body reacts to stress).
Medications
While therapy has been proven to improve anxiety, if your symptoms are severe or persist, then it might be a good time to talk to your doctor about medical treatments too.
Some common medical treatments for anxiety include:
Antidepressants: antidepressant medications may help to manage anxiety by correcting the imbalance of chemical messages between nerve cells in the brain.
Benzodiazepines: Benzodiazepines may help people relax but they are not recommended as a long-term solution as they can have side-effects and are addictive.
Additionally, benzodiazepines are problematic for people with anxiety, as this medication has been associated with adverse effects that include panic attacks, phobias, and social avoidance.
When to speak to a doctor
Managing the mental and physical symptoms of anxiety isn't easy, but you don't have to go it alone. If your anxiety is unmanageable or affecting your quality of life, a doctor or mental health professional can help you to feel better.
Some conditions, such as hyperthyroidism or heart disease, may mimic some of the physical symptoms of anxiety, so if you're noticing an increase in anxiety symptoms it's a good idea to talk to a professional to get the right diagnosis.
The Wrap Up
Anxiety doesn't just live in the mind, it can affect the body too. People with anxiety can experience many physical symptoms, including nausea, headaches, muscle pains, and sleep disturbances. Finding the right way to manage anxiety is an important step towards feeling better. Therapy, exercise, diet changes, and medication have all proven to help reduce symptoms and improve your quality of life. Remember to check in with your doctor, they can help you to access treatments and can assist you in weighing the benefits of anxiety medications and alternative treatment plans.
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