Why does anxiety cause physical symptoms like chest pain and dizziness?

## Why Anxiety Feels Like a Medical Emergency Your body can't tell the difference between a tiger chasing you and your boss emailing "We need to talk." Both trigger the same ancient survival response. ### The Fight-or-Flight Cascade **What Happens in Seconds:** 1. Brain perceives threat (real or imagined) 2. Amygdala sounds the alarm 3. Hypothalamus triggers stress response 4. Adrenal glands flood system with adrenaline/cortisol 5. Body prepares for survival ### Common Physical Symptoms Explained **Chest Pain/Tightness** - Chest muscles tense for protection - Breathing becomes shallow and rapid - Intercostal muscles (between ribs) cramp - Heart rate increases, creating pressure sensation - *Not a heart attack, though it feels like one* **Dizziness/Lightheadedness** - Hyperventilation changes blood CO2 levels - Blood vessels constrict - Less oxygen reaches the brain - Blood pressure fluctuates - Balance system disrupted **Tingling/Numbness** - Blood redirects to major muscle groups - Extremities get less blood flow - Nerve sensitivity changes - Calcium ions temporarily altered - Usually in fingers, toes, face **Digestive Issues** - Digestion shuts down (not needed for survival) - Stomach acid increases - Intestinal contractions change - Results: nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain **Other Common Symptoms** - **Sweating**: Cool the body for action - **Trembling**: Muscles ready to spring - **Dry mouth**: Fluids redirect to muscles - **Blurred vision**: Pupils dilate for threat detection - **Hot/cold flashes**: Blood vessel changes - **Feeling unreal**: Dissociation as protection ### Why It Feels So Intense **Feedback Loop** 1. Anxiety causes physical symptoms 2. You notice symptoms and panic more 3. More panic = more symptoms 4. Cycle escalates **Hypersensitivity** Anxious people become hyperaware of normal body sensations, interpreting them as dangerous. ### The Duration Factor - **Panic attack symptoms**: Peak at 10 minutes, subside within 30 - **Generalized anxiety symptoms**: Can last hours but less intense - **Chronic anxiety**: Creates persistent low-level symptoms ### Breaking the Physical Symptom Cycle **Immediate Relief:** - Slow breathing (4-7-8 technique) - Progressive muscle relaxation - Cold water on face/wrists - Light exercise to burn off adrenaline - Remind yourself: "This is anxiety, not danger" **Long-term Management:** - Regular exercise (burns stress hormones) - Yoga/stretching (releases muscle tension) - Meditation (calms nervous system) - Adequate sleep (regulates stress response) - Limit caffeine (amplifies symptoms) ### When to Seek Medical Attention While anxiety symptoms are typically harmless, see a doctor if: - Chest pain is crushing or radiates to arm/jaw - Symptoms are new or suddenly different - Fainting occurs - Symptoms persist when calm - You have cardiac risk factors ### The Reassurance You Need **These symptoms are:** - Real (not "in your head") - Harmless (won't damage your body) - Temporary (will pass) - Treatable (respond well to therapy) - Common (millions experience them) *Remember: Your body is doing exactly what it's designed to do - protect you. It's just got the threat level wrong. These symptoms, while uncomfortable, are proof your survival system works.*