Can Anxiety Cause Dizziness
Anxiety disorders may be associated with dizziness.
People with anxiety disorders, particularly those with panic disorder, often complain of feeling dizzy or lightheaded.
However, the link between dizziness and anxiety isn’t completely clear.
It’s thought, though, that stress-related hormones or compounds released during the fight-or-flight response might affect the vestibular system within the inner ear, which coordinates balance and movement. This, in turn, may be the source of feelings of dizziness or lightheadedness in some individuals with anxiety disorders.
Physical Symptoms Of Anxiety
People are often surprised to learn that the experience of anxiety extends far beyond thought patterns that happen in the mind. There are a specific set of physical symptoms youll experience in your body after your brain triggers a chemical stress response. When the bodys stress response system is activated, the brain releases a cascade of different hormones to help protect you from the perceived threat. These hormones cause immediate physical changes in your body. As we noted, stress hormones up your heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature and tighten your muscles in preparation to take action. But, as were about to see, these hormones can also cause symptoms like nausea and upset stomach.
Find out how anxiety impacts your body.
Anxiety And Nausea: 5 Tips To Treat Both
For better or worse, anxiety is part of the human experience. Its something all people experience from time to time. But severe, ongoing anxiety can significantly impact your emotional, mental, and physical health.
In particular, anxiety can be associated with physical symptoms like nausea, vomiting, gastroesophageal reflux disease , and anxiety headache.
If you have anxiety-related nausea, here are 5 effective strategies you can try right now to combat the symptoms of both.
For better or worse, anxiety is part of the human experience. Its something all people experience from time to time. But severe, ongoing anxiety can significantly impact your emotional, mental, and physical health.
In particular, anxiety can be associated with physical symptoms like nausea, vomiting, gastroesophageal reflux disease , and anxiety headache.
If you have anxiety-related nausea, here are 5 effective strategies you can try right now to combat the symptoms of both.
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Depression Is A Real Medical Condition
Depression is a common but serious mood disorder. Depression symptoms can interfere with your ability to work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy your life. Although researchers are still studying the causes of depression, current research suggests that depression is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. Most people with depression need treatment to feel better.
Symptoms Of Depression And Anxiety Linked To Chemotherapy
Patients with cancer who scored highly on depression and anxiety tests were more likely to suffer from symptoms of chemotherapy-induced nausea, according to results of a recent study.
Certain characteristics in patients with cancer, such as symptoms of depression and anxiety, were independently associated with chemotherapy-induced nausea , according to results of a longitudinal study recently presented at a medical conference.
Younger age, an income higher than $30,000, higher comorbidity burden, as well as a greater likelihood of stomach disease and blood disorders were also associated with CIN.
For clinical implications, we can see that a number of neuropsychological symptoms and stress characteristics were associated with membership in the high nausea subgroup, said Komal Singh, an assistant professor in the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation at Arizona State University, during a presentation of the data at the Oncology Nursing Societys 46th Annual Congress. Clinicians need to assess patients for chemotherapy-induced nausea, and the associated neuropsychological symptoms and stress characteristics for appropriate interventions.
Nausea was evaluated six times over two cycles of chemotherapy and patients were classified as having or not having CIN. Patients completed a symptom assessment survey one week prior to receiving chemotherapy, one week after chemotherapy and then again two weeks after chemotherapy.
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Weight Increase Or Weight Decrease
Your mood may have an influence on your nutrition. Some people experience a reduction of appetite as a result of depression, which can lead to unneeded weight loss.
Others suffering from depression may have thoughts of despair, which may lead to bad eating habits and a disinterest in exercise. It is also usual to seek meals heavy in sweets, fats, and starchy carbs. Some antidepressant drugs might also cause an increase in appetite and weight gain.
According to an older survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Trusted Source, obesity appears to be widespread in those suffering from depression. According to the poll, which was done between 2005 and 2010, around 43 percent of persons with depression are fat.
Muscle And Joint Pain
Theres a confirmed link that depression can cause pain and pain can cause depression. Back pain and other joint and muscle pain are common physical symptoms of depression.
Depression and other mood disorders have been shown to alter pain perception, which can trigger or worsen pain. Fatigue and loss of interest common in depression can lead to being less active. This inactivity can cause muscle and joint pain and stiffness.
Finding relief from physical symptoms of depression may require more than one type of treatment. While some antidepressants may also alleviate some of your physical symptoms, such as pain, other symptoms may need to be treated separately.
Treatment may include:
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Relieve Stress Nausea With Peppermint
We know, we know, reducing stress is often easier said than done. When life throws the kitchen sink at you, heres how to deal with stress nausea as its happening: Find some peppermint.
Studies show peppermint can help reduce mild nausea. Dr. Tramontana suggests sipping on peppermint tea, which is known to settle the stomach, or using peppermint oil.
If youre using peppermint oil topically, just be sure to dilute it first. And bear in mind that peppermint can be poisonous to some pets, including cats, so dont use it in a diffuser if you have furry friends at home.
Do Some Deep Breathing
Deep breathing is helpful for both anxiety and nausea. Often when you feel stressed or nauseous, you may start to take shallow breaths. Research shows that controlled, deep breathing can help nausea, especially if you start the exercise as soon as symptoms start.
One of the most straightforward breathing exercises is belly breathing, which stimulates the vagus nerve and activates the parasympathetic nervous system.
- Put one hand on your heart and one on your belly.
- Breathe in deeply through your nose and feel the way your belly pushes against your hand.
- Breathe out slowly, pursing your lips as if you were whistling. If you like, you can even gently push the air out of your belly using your hand.
- Repeat this cycle for a few rounds.
You can use deep breathing exercises whenever youre experiencing symptoms.
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Depression And Upset Stomach Or Uneasiness In The Abdomen
One of the most recognizable symptoms of depression is that sinking feeling in your stomach. However its easy to write it off as gas or menstrual pain when your abdomen begins to cramp.
A sign of depression may be pain that worsens, particularly when stress occurs. Researchers from Harvard Medical School say that stomach pain such as cramps, bloating, and nausea could be a sign of bad mental health.
Depression can cause (or be a result of an inflamed digestive system, according to Harvard researchers, discomfort that is easily mistaken for diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome.
The gut is often referred to by doctors and scientists as the second brain, because they have found a correlation between gut health and mental well-being. Our stomachs seem to be full of good bacteria and anxiety and depression symptoms can arise if there is an imbalance of good bacteria.
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
EPDS is a 10-item questionnaire developed to assist in identifying possible symptoms of depression in the postpartum period . Moreover, it has adequate sensitivity and specificity to identify depression symptoms in the antenatal period and is useful in identifying symptoms of anxiety . Although EPDS is not a diagnostic scoring tool, items of the scale refer to distinct clinical depression complaints, such as sleep disorders and weakness. The total evaluation was performed by adding the scores for each of the 10 items. A total score of 13 or more is considered a cut-off point for the possible depression diagnosis.
- doing poorly at work
- difficulties with your family or home life
Its not always possible to tell that youre having symptoms of depression right away it can start and progress gradually. A lot of people dont realise theyre ill and try to carry on and cope with their symptoms. Sometimes it takes a friend or family member to notice that theres a problem.
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How To Prevent Nausea In Children
You may encourage your child to follow these preventive measures .
- Eat smaller meals throughout the day instead of a few bigger meals. Teach your child to eat slowly and chew their food properly.
- You may include high-fiber foods that are good for the digestive system and can also help prevent constipation
- Avoid any physical activity after a meal. Also, avoid brushing or cleaning the tongue immediately after the meal since it might induce nausea.
- In the case of motion sickness, you may make your child sit in the car facing the windshield. You can also avoid routes that induce motion sickness. Make them smell a lemon or chew some citrus food to get some relief.
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Other Types Of Depression
There are different types of depression, and some conditions where depression may be one of the symptoms. These include:
- postnatal depression sometimes new mothers, fathers or partners develop depression after they have a baby this is known as postnatal depression and its treated in a similar way to other types of depression, with talking therapies and antidepressant medicines
- bipolar disorder also known as manic depression, in bipolar disorder there are spells of both depression and excessively high mood the depression symptoms are similar to clinical depression, but the bouts of mania can include harmful behaviour, such as gambling, going on spending sprees and having unsafe sex
- seasonal affective disorder also known as winter depression, SAD is a type of depression with a seasonal pattern usually related to winter
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How Is Nausea Treated
Treatment for nausea depends on the cause.
Sitting in the front seat of a car, for example, may relieve motion sickness. Motion sickness can also be helped with medications such as dimenhydrinate , an antihistamine, or by applying a scopolamine patch to relieve seasickness.
Taking medications to address nauseas underlying cause can help as well. Examples include stomach-acid reducers for GERD or pain-relieving medications for intense headaches.
Keeping hydrated can help to minimize dehydration after your nausea subsides. This includes taking small, frequent sips of clear liquids, such as water or an electrolyte-containing beverage.
When you begin to reintroduce food, its helpful to stick to the BRAT diet until your stomach is more settled.
Avoiding nausea triggers can help to prevent nauseas onset. This includes avoiding:
- flickering lights, which can trigger migraine attacks
- heat and humidity
Can Anxiety Cause Chest Pain
Certain anxiety disorders can cause feelings of chest pain.
Chest pain is not a common symptom of the general anxiety you feel here and there.
However, if you suffer from a type of anxiety disorder called panic disorder, you may experience feelings of chest pain during a panic attack.
The most important consideration any time youre experiencing chest pain is the possibility of heart attack, which is a medical emergency.
Unfortunately, panic attack symptoms and heart attack symptoms can feel similar. So, whether you have a history of panic attacks or not, you should go to the emergency room if youre experiencing chest pain.
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Stomach Pain Or Uneasiness In The Abdomen
That sinking feeling in your stomach is one of the most recognizable signs of depression. However, when your abdomen starts to cramp, itâs easy to write it off as gas or menstrual pain.
Pain that worsens, especially when stress arises, may be a sign of depression. In fact, Harvard Medical School researchers suggest that stomach discomfort like cramps, bloating, and nausea may be a sign of poor mental health.
Whatâs the link? According to those Harvard researchers, depression can cause an inflamed digestive system, with pain thatâs easily mistaken for illnesses like inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome.
Doctors and scientists sometimes refer to the gut as the âsecond brain,â because they have found a connection between gut health and mental well-being. Our stomachs are full of good bacteria and if thereâs an imbalance of good bacteria, symptoms of anxiety and depression may arise.
Eating a balanced diet and taking probiotics can improve oneâs gut health, which may enhance mood, too, but further research is needed.
Different Types Of Depression
There are different types of depression, and there are some conditions where depression is a symptom. These conditions include:
- Bipolar disorder people with bipolar disorder, which is also known as “manic depression”, experience times of depression, where the symptoms are similar to clinical depression. They also go through phases when they have excessively high moods . Bouts of mania can include harmful behaviour like unsafe sex, spending sprees and gambling.
- Seasonal affective disorder is also called “winter depression”. It’s depression that is related to weather, usually winter, so it happens seasonally.
- Postnatal depression happens to some women after they’ve had a baby. It’s treated similarly to other types of depression, with antidepressant medication and talking therapy.
Learn more about how depression is diagnosed here.
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Back Pain Or Aching Muscles All Over
You might feel okay in the morning, but once youâre at work or sitting at a school desk, your back starts to hurt. It could be stress, or it could be depression. Although theyâre often associated with bad posture or injuries, backaches can also be a symptom of psychological distress.
A 2017 research study of 1,013 Canadian university students found a direct association between depression and backaches.
Psychologists and psychiatrists have long believed emotional issues can cause chronic aches and pains, but the specifics are still being researched, such as the connection between depression and the bodyâs inflammatory response.
Newer studies suggest that inflammation in the body may have something to do with the neurocircuits in our brain. Itâs thought that inflammation may interrupt brain signals and therefore may have a role in depression and how we treat it.
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Depression Can Be Treated
Even the most severe cases of depression can be treated. Depression is commonly treated with medication, psychotherapy , or a combination of the two.
Antidepressants are medications commonly used to treat depression. People respond differently to antidepressants, and you may need to try different medicines to find the one that works best. Researchers also are studying and developing other medications for depression, such as brexanolone for postpartum depression, and esketamine. You can learn about recent developments on these and other medications at NIMH’s Science News webpage under the topic Treatments.
There are many different types of psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapy. The particular approach a therapist uses depends on the condition being treated and the training and experience of the therapist. Therapists also may combine and adapt elements of different approaches.
Depression affects each individual differently. There is no one-size-fits-all for treatment. It may take some trial and error to find the treatment that works best. You can learn more about the different types of depression treatment, including psychotherapy, medication, and brain stimulation therapies, on the NIMHs webpage about depression. Visit the Food and Drug Administration website for the latest information on medication approvals, warnings, and patient information guides.
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How Does Anxiety Affect Your Body
Anxiety affects your body in different ways that are defined as anxiety symptoms. When you feel overly anxious, many people feel a constriction in their pulmonary and respiratory systems, noticing an increase in their heart rate, a heaviness in the chest, or difficulty breathing. Others manifest their stress in their digestive system, with nausea, indigestion, stomach cramping, diarrhea, and sometimes vomiting. The severity of the discomfort can range.
Anxiety is a natural response to danger or a threat. It happens when the brain releases neurotransmitters to prepare the body for fight or flight. When some of these neurotransmitters get into the digestive tract, they upset the gut microbiome, and this can cause stomach symptoms that include nausea. During a moment of high anxiety, you might feel just a bit queasy, like that butterflies in your stomach feeling you might have before giving a public presentation or going on a job interview. This kind of nausea may be brief, while other instances of anxiety-related nausea can make you totally sick to your stomach. Your upset stomach churns so much that you have to make a dash for the bathroom, even reaching the point of dry heaving or vomiting.
Symptom #2 Aches And Pains
Pain and depression often go together. Depression can cause pain and pain can cause depression. This means that for people with an existing condition such as arthritis or an injury, they may see their pain get worse.
People who have depression can also often feel unexplained aches and pains, whether its in the abdomen, joints, neck or back or all over.
Many professionals even believe that depression causes people to process and feel pain differently, as it affects a persons sensitivity to pain stimuli and reduces their coping skills.
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