Finding ways to managing your anxiety might help ease some health issues like body aches, rashes, and eating disorders.
Anxiety can have a significant impact on our overall well-being, including our physical health. It can manifest in various ways, causing a range of health issues that can disrupt our daily lives. Anxiety can make you feel sick to your stomach and sometimes it can even make you feel like we’re dying.
I felt sick to my stomach every morning. I made several doctor’s appointments to find out what was going on. They ran several urine and blood test and came up with nothing. I was throwing up every time I had to leave the house.
I remember going to my college Spring Fling and ended up having a panic attack in the bathroom of a yacht. It left me feeling out of control and always guessing when I would start feeling sick again or get another attack. I was scared to have a random attack in public. So eventually, I stopped going places and barely made it to my classes.
I started researching and learned about anxiety and panic attacks. By then, I had already lost 20 lbs. in 5 months. I was desperately looking how to treat my chronic anxiety and panic attacks once and for all. For over 2 years, I tried several things including therapy and lifestyle changes. I also changed my environment and the people around me. We are now several years further and I never had another bad panic or anxiety attack. The combination of coping mechanisms, therapy, and lifestyle changes helped me get rid of my chronic panic attacks.
Related: How to Get Rid of Panic Attacks
What are common symptoms of anxiety?
To be able to treat something, you have to understand what it is. Anxiety is more than just feeling nervous every now and then. It can manifest in various ways like feeling restless, unable to relax, or tense. Symptoms can vary from person to person.
Some common symptoms of anxiety include:
- persistent feelings of worry or unease,
- restlessness,
- irritability,
- difficulty concentrating,
- racing thoughts
- trouble sleeping
- nausea
More intense physical symptoms may also arise, such as increased heart rate, shortness of breath, dizziness, muscle tension, headaches, and gastrointestinal issues like stomachaches. Additionally, anxiety can affect our emotional well-being, leading to feelings of fear, panic, and a sense of impending doom.
It can cause all types of problems in our life and also drag down our health. You might have some health issues that are caused by anxiety. I suffered from IBS, nausea, back and neck pain, and UTI’s. Most of my health problems left as my anxiety started to fade. If your anxiety is affecting your daily life, then it might be time to find new ways to cope and manage it. If you’ve tried doing it on your own and see no improvement, don’t hesitate to get help and try out therapy.
There are online platforms that offer therapy sessions and can guide you in the comfort of your home. I get it.. when you’re depressed or your anxiety is high, the last thing you want to do is leave your house. I’m an introvert as it is. I like staying home as much as possible, so online therapy is ideal for me and my current schedule.
health problems that can be caused by anxiety and how to manage them
1. Chronic Urine Tract Infections
For women, chronic urinary tract infections can be a frustrating and recurring issue. Studies have shown that there is “a correlation between anxiety, depression and recurrence frequency of recurrent urinary tract infections in female patients.” High cortisol levels have an effect on the immune system. This can make the body more prone to infections.
Another theory is that anxiety can can lead to physical tension in the body and contribute to UTIs. Tension in the body can inhibit the proper release of urine, leading to residual urine in the urinary tract. In other words, anxiety causes you to tense up. When you tense up, you can not release your urine right and urine stays in the urinary tract which can lead to infections.
How to Manage UTI’s caused by Anxiety
Reoccurring UTI’s can lead you down a never ending cycle of antibiotics which can lead to yeast infections. Fortunately, there are natural remedies to treat UTIs without relying solely on antibiotics.
Physical therapy and good posture when sitting on the toilet can help relax your pelvic floor muscles. This Dutch article by the Urology Department of Maxima MC, suggests that adjusting your toilet posture can help empty the bladder more effectively and help prevent urine tract infections. When urine is consistently left behind in the bladder after urination, it increases the risk of urinary tract infections.
Recommendations for fixing your posture:
- Urinate when you feel the urge and avoid unnecessarily delaying it.
- Adopt a relaxed posture on the toilet. There should be no need to strain or push during urination. Take your time to empty your bladder calmly.
- Ensure that your feet are flat on the ground. If the toilet is too high, you can use a footstool for support.
- Keep your knees slightly apart, allowing for more space by lowering your pants sufficiently (pants below the knees).
- Maintain a straight posture. At the end of urination, you can tilt your pelvis forward and backward a few times to ensure you have fully emptied your bladder.
- Pay attention to wiping from front to back, moving from the urethral opening toward the anus. This prevents the transfer of intestinal bacteria to the urethral opening.
Practicing relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercises, pelvic floor exercises, and progressive muscle relaxation, can help alleviate anxiety-related urinary tract issues. Keep yourself hydrated and take herbal immune boosters like Echinacea.
Related: How to Naturally Cure UTIs Without Antibiotics
2. Neck and Back Pain
Most body aches come from trauma, stress, or anxiety. During periods of high stress, my neck and back pain started getting so bad. I went to a chiropractor weekly to help relieve some of the pain. Chronic anxiety often manifests as physical tension resulting in muscle tension. This can result in persistent body pain and soreness. If you find your neck and back often hurting and you have no physical injuries, it might help to address the root cause of this pain. Learning new coping skills and managing your stress better, can help bring some relief.
Studies have shown that “that 68.4% of the subjects having neck pain suffer from anxiety .” There is a strong correlation between anxiety and musculoskeletal pain, including chronic neck and back pain. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), relaxation techniques, and regular physical activity have been found to effectively reduce anxiety-related musculoskeletal pain. These evidence-based strategies can help manage and alleviate neck and back pain caused by anxiety.
How to manage neck and back pain caused by anxiety
Listen to your body. When you start noticing signs like headaches and other body aches including tense shoulders and neck, take a step back and assess how you feel. Do you feel stresses and overwhelmed? Do you feel tired and restless? It might be time to take a break a couple minutes to yourself.
Relaxation techniques help can help cope more effectively with the stresses that contribute to anxiety and pain. Common techniques include breathing retraining, progressive muscle relaxation, and exercise.
Complementary and alternative treatment can also bring some relief. Yoga, acupuncture, and massage can relieve the symptoms of anxiety disorders as well as chronic pain.
Regular exercise strengthens muscles, reduces stiffness, improves flexibility, and boosts mood and self-esteem. Building stronger core muscles takes some pressure off your back and neck.
A good night’s sleep is important for anxiety disorders and chronic pain conditions. Not sleeping well or enough can often worsen the symptoms of both types of conditions. Consistent sleep and wake times, a good sleep environment , and avoiding caffeine late in the day and at night can help promote restful sleep. Sleeping in a comfortable room with the proper temperature, no TV or other distractions can also improve you sleep quality.
Practicing a healthy lifestyle will improve your overall physical and mental health. Anxiety can bring on several different health problems that can be debilitating. Taking care of it before it gets out of hand can save you from a lot of unnecessary pain and suffering.
3. Weight Problems
Scientific studies have revealed the complex relationship between anxiety and weight problems. Some individuals may turn to emotional eating as a coping mechanism for anxiety, leading to weight gain (5). Others may experience a loss of appetite or difficulty in maintaining a healthy diet due to heightened anxiety levels (6). Understanding these patterns can help individuals adopt healthier eating habits and seek appropriate support, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or nutritional counseling, to manage weight issues associated with anxiety.
Anxiety might cause you to eat more or eat less. It can disrupt our eating habits and metabolism, leading to weight problems. Some individuals may experience weight gain due to emotional eating, while others may experience weight loss due to a loss of appetite or difficulty in maintaining a balanced diet.
4. Eating Disorders
Anxiety disorders and eating disorders often coexist. According to Amelia Davis, MD, Rosewood Medical Director, anxiety serves as a trigger factor of disordered eating behaviors. Wether it is PTSD, generalized anxiety, or social anxiety, they can all have a negative affect on your eating patterns. During the period where my anxiety was debilitating, I lost about 20 lbs. in 5 months. I would often throw up from anxiety and so developed a phobia for vomiting up. In order to avoid throwing up, I avoided eating.
In order for me to treat my phobia and eating problem, I had to first treat my anxiety. I tried several ways to manage, but the one thing that helped me was changing my life style and my environment.
How to manage eating disorders caused by anxiety
Whether it’s binge eating, restrictive eating, or anorexia, these disorders can have serious consequences on both physical and mental health.
It is important to have comprehensive treatment approaches, including therapy modalities such as CBT, interpersonal therapy, and family-based treatment, to address both anxiety and eating disorders simultaneously. It can be difficult to treat co-occurring conditions. Seeking professional help from specialized practitioners is crucial in managing these coexisting conditions effectively.
5. Skin Rashes
Studies have demonstrated the impact of psychological stress, including anxiety, on skin health. Stress-induced inflammatory responses can contribute to the development or exacerbation of skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne (9). Incorporating stress management techniques, such as mindfulness meditation, yoga, and relaxation exercises, into daily routines can help improve skin health by reducing anxiety-related inflammation (10).
Stress-induced skin reactions are not uncommon, and they can be both uncomfortable and concerning.
How to manage skin rashes caused by anxiety
If the skin conditions are caused by anxiety, then topical creams have a very low chance of curing. They might provide some temporary relief to help with the itch or redness. To fix the problem, you have to address the root of the issue: stress and anxiety. Take care of your mental health and your body will take care of it self.
Take Care of yourself
Scientific studies provide valuable insights into the relationship between anxiety and various health problems. By understanding these connections, we can tailor our approach to managing and treating anxiety-related health issues effectively. It’s essential to recognize the significance of mental well-being, particularly in today’s fast-paced world where stress and anxiety levels are on the rise. Scientific evidence sheds light on the importance of addressing anxiety not only for our mental health but also for our physical well-being, highlighting the intricate link between anxiety and various health conditions. Through delving deeper into the vast realm of scientific research, we unravel the complexities of anxiety and its impact on our overall health, equipping ourselves with the tools to navigate our own anxieties and seek appropriate interventions. It can manifest in different ways, affecting our sleep patterns, digestive system, cardiovascular health, and immune function.
Recognizing the impact of anxiety on our physical health is crucial for our well-being. By understanding the connection between anxiety and various health problems, we can take proactive steps to manage and treat these issues effectively. Remember, seeking professional help and practicing self-care are essential components of managing anxiety-related health problems. By prioritizing your mental and physical well-being, you can regain control and lead a healthier, happier life.
References
The relationship between anxiety, depression and recurrent urinary tract infections in female