Physical Anxiety Symptom : Chest Pain And Heart Palpitations
You may think it’s a sign of an impending heart attack but it’s not. When you feel anxious or are having a full-blown panic attack, the heart beats faster to pump more blood around the body to prepare for fight or flight.
This action can cause hyperventilation which leads to breathing in too much oxygen. This, in turn, causes a contraction of the blood vessels which can lead to chest pain.
Chest pain caused by anxiety is often felt across different areas of the chest and comes and goes.
It is also important to note that a rush of adrenaline does not damage the heart.
But there’s no need to feel silly if you’ve ever thought you were having a heart attack. Nicky says: “Over the years we have been contacted by many people who have told us that they have had to rush off to casualty because they truly believed they were having a heart attack. Once there, they were told , that their problem was entirely psychological.”
Note: Whenever chest pain is concerned, it is always a good idea to visit the GP once to rule out any other heart conditions.
Why Is Left Arm Pain So Special
The causes of arm pain are many and are divided into three categories. We have the basic arm pain that can be experienced in any part of the body, then we have injuries that are specific to the left arm, and then the skeletomuscular injuries which can be defined by injuries relating to bones and muscles.
To begin with the most basic injuries, we have:
As previously mentioned, there are some caused that are specific to the left arm. These causes include:
Skeletomuscular injury: In the case where the left arm pain is not due to heart issues it might be due to an issue with muscles or bones. These include:
In order to identify the fact that the pain is not actually due to heart problems, one may experience the following characteristics:
-
The pain only lasts for a few seconds at a time
-
The pain characteristic is stabbing
-
The pain is localized and is only experienced in a small area of the arm
-
That discomfort is the only symptom that has occurred, and it occurs for a couple of days
Experiencing these characteristics are what prove to one that their pain is skeletomuscular
Chronic Stress And Long
Aches and pains are common symptoms of stress, however, ongoing pain or stiffness may be a sign of a more serious problem.
A 2018 study published by PubMed revealed Stress-related disorders were significantly associated with risk of subsequent autoimmune disease.
Autoimmune diseases cause your immune system to produce antibodies which attack and damage the bodys healthy tissue instead of fighting infection. In certain conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, the antibodies attach to connective tissue within the joints leading to pain, stiffness, swelling, andwithout treatmentpotentially permanent joint damage.
Autoimmune diseases are often incurable however, early intervention and treatment can help prevent further damage and joint deterioration.
Recommended Reading: What Medication Helps Anxiety And Stress
Can Anxiety Cause Muscle Weakness On One Side Of Body
Yes! Anxiety-caused muscle weakness can affect any muscle or group of muscles. It can also cause muscle weakness on one side of the body. Anxiety-caused muscle weakness can also affect one side of the body, and then migrate to the other side, and involve both sides. All combinations and variations are common.
There are also some medical conditions and medications that can cause muscle weakness on one side of the body. We recommend discussing this symptom with your doctor to rule out a medical cause.
Symptoms Of Stress And Anxiety
Stress can wreak havoc on your mind and body. In small doses, the stress response can improve alertness and sharpen senses however, chronic stress can lead to serious problems such as cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal problems, and autoimmune disease. Be sure to talk to your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms on an ongoing basis.
Mental/Emotional Symptoms:
- Frequent colds or infections
Don’t Miss: What Can Anxiety Attacks Look Like
Can Anxiety Cause Pain In The Left Arm
Yes, anxiety can cause pain in the left arm. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America notes that anxiety patients can experience chronic pain coming from headaches, muscle tension, and soreness. Left-arm anxiety is one such result. Besides, people with preexisting conditions like arthritis will find it hard to manage their pain if they experience anxiety or panic attacks. Left-arm anxiety can happen in the following ways:
Can General Anxiety Disorder Cause Muscle Weakness
Yes! Any type of anxiety, including generalized anxiety disorder, can cause anxiety symptoms, including muscle weakness. Generalized anxiety is one of the more common causes of anxiety disorder. Working with an experienced anxiety disorder therapist is the most effective way to overcome anxiety disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder and its symptoms, including muscle weakness.
Don’t Miss: How To Overcome Fear And Anxiety
Ways Stress & Anxiety Are Causing Your Neuropathy
Neuropathy can be caused by a number of different things. Certain medical conditions, injuries, and excessive alcohol consumption can all cause the nerve damage behind neuropathy. But what about stress and anxiety? Can stress actually cause neuropathy? If so, how, and what can be done to treat it? If youre suffering from symptoms of neuropathy, you will want to seek out Broomfield neuropathy treatment to determine the exact cause of your condition. Once you know if its related to stress, you can begin addressing the problem.
Tendonitis Or Inflammation Of Tendons
The inflammation of the connective tissue between muscle and bone is tendonitis. Owing to repetitive joint use, tendonitis sometimes occurs. Therefore, tennis players, swimmers, and musicians frequently get tendonitis for this cause. The cause of left arm pain may be tendonitis in the shoulder or elbow.
Don’t Miss: How To Treat Anxiety Disorder
How Do Nerves Work
The neck is made up of seven bones, known as vertebra, that sit on top of each other – imagine a stack of cotton reels.
In between the bones are squashy oblong structures known as intervertebral discs – imagine jam donuts. Running down through the middle of the spine, from the bottom of the brain, is a long cable known as the spinal cord imagine a tree trunk.
At each spinal level , a pair of nerves divides off the spinal cord. They branch out through gaps at the side of the vertebrae known as the intervertebral foramen and, in the case of the neck, the nerves extend down various parts of the arm to the hand imagine branches coming off the tree trunk.
These nerves have receptor cells which are looking for information to send to the brain. They also link with muscles telling them when and how to move. Signals travel up and down the nerves , to and from the brain and spinal cord . Let me give you an example: when you place your hand on a table, signals travel from the peripheral to the central nervous system to tell you that you are touching something. The peripheral and central nervous system work together to decipher what the surface feels like e.g. hot, cold, rough, smooth as well as information such as how much pressure you are putting through your hand.
How Does Nerve Damage Cause Pain
Damage to the nerves affects how the signals travel. There may be:
Don’t Miss: Why Does Coffee Give Me Anxiety
Management After Heart Attack
Your chances of recovering from a heart attack depend on how much damage there is to your heart and how quickly you receive emergency care. The sooner you receive treatment, the more likely you are to survive.
Keep in mind that recovery is a long process and may take several weeks or months after leaving the hospital. After having a heart attack, you may also be at a higher risk of having other heart problems in the future.
For example, if thereâs substantial damage to your heart muscle, your heart may be unable to pump an adequate amount of blood throughout your body. This can lead to heart failure. Heart damage also increases your risk of valve problems and developing an abnormal heart rhythm or arrhythmia.
Your risk of having another heart attack will be higher as well. In fact, itâs estimated that people who have had a heart attack will be readmitted to the hospital for a second heart attack within five years.
Many people also experience chest pain after having a heart attack, especially after eating a large meal or engaging in physical activity. Be sure to talk to your doctor if you notice any chest pain. They can recommend certain medications or exercises to help relieve symptoms.
As part of your treatment plan, you may be to take medications or undergo a cardiac rehabilitation program. This type of program can help you slowly regain your strength, teach you about healthy lifestyle changes, and guide you through treatment.
How To Relieve Pain Under Right Armpit
Treatment for your underarm pain will depend on the exact cause. If your symptoms are mild, chances are that pain will disappear with time. If the pain is caused by muscle strain, simple home remedies may help relieve pain. However, sometimes, you may need other treatments, including prescribed medications, physical therapy or surgery.
If you believe that you are not in a severe condition, some home remedies can be applied before seeking for medical help:
- Cold compresses. Apply an ice pack or a cold washcloth directly on your armpit to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
- Warm bath. Add one tablespoon of baking soda to warm water, then take a bath to reduce itchiness, pain and inflammation.
- Massage. Gently massage your armpit to reduce swelling and improve blood circulation.
- Avoid oily and spicy foods. Certain foods make you sweat more, especially in the underarms. Bacterial growth is more likely to occur in these areas, which can worsen the problem, so it is best for you to avoid such foods.
- Good hygiene. To avoid infection, practice good hygiene. If you have painful lumps in your armpits, they will heal faster if you keep them dry and clean.
Read Also: Can Anxiety Affect Blood Pressure
Fatigue And Sleep Deprivation
Extended periods of stress or anxiety can cause fatigue. Fatigue can cause a number of symptoms, including lightheadedness, concentration problems, and muscle weakness.
Moreover, stress can cause problems with sleep. Sleep deprivation can also cause symptoms, including feeling dizzy and having weak and tired muscles.
Can Anxiety Cause Long Term Muscle Weakness
Yes! Anxiety stresses the body, and a body that becomes chronically stressed can exhibit long-lasting symptoms, including long-term muscle weakness. For more information, you can read why anxiety can cause long term muscle weakness. You can also read how to get rid of long term muscle weakness.
There are also some medical conditions and medications that can cause long term muscle weakness. We recommend discussing this symptom with your doctor to rule out a medical cause.
You May Like: What To Do If You Have Bad Anxiety
What To Expect At The Doctors Office
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, then seek medical care without even thinking twice. As previously mentioned, since left arm pain is a big sign of a possible heart attack, a number of tests will be run to ensure that one is or isnt experiencing a heart attack. To alleviate your worries, here are the possible tests that might be run at the doctors office:
-
An EKG to monitor ones is a primary step the medical personal will take.
-
If necessary, a line will be put in the vein of your arm to ensure that the patient is receiving enough fluids and medication.
-
In order to make sure that nothing else is affected, X-rays, MRIs and CT scans will be done.
Muscle Weakness Anxiety Symptoms Can Feel Like:
- A muscle or group of muscles feel unusually weak, tired, heavy, rubbery, or odd.
- Some people describe this symptom as their muscles feel wobbly, numb, shaky, and tired.
- A muscle or group of muscles seem difficult or impossible to move, relax, or loosen.
- It feels like a muscle or group of muscles seem unusually frail, fatigued, and underpowered. No matter what you do, their weakness doesnt change.
- It feels like a muscle or group of muscles arent properly supporting your body or movements due to feeling limp, listless, and worn out.
- Others describe their muscles as feeling like they won’t work right or too limp to use correctly.
- Others describe this symptom as feeling like their muscles are unusually heavy or numb feeling.
- Others describe this symptom as that they don’t have confidence in their muscles because they don’t feel as strong as they used to.
- Others have said that their muscles feel so weak that they are unsure their muscles will support their body.
- Other descriptions include weak hands, feet, legs, arms, neck, back, head, and face muscles. They can feel so weak that you become concerned you have a serious medical problem, such as MS, ALS, or Parkinsons Disease.
The degree and intensity of this muscle weakness anxiety symptom can vary from person to person. For example, one or a group of muscles can be only mildly weak for one person, whereas the weak and tiredness can be intensely noticeable and severely restricting for another person.
Also Check: Can Anxiety Cause Stomach Pain