Covid anxiety is a normal and expected response to the global pandemic. It is characterized by fear, worry, and stress about contracting the virus or passing it on to others. Many people are also struggling with grief and loss during this time. While it is normal to feel these things, it is important to find healthy ways to cope with them. If you find that your anxiety is impacting your daily life or causing you distress, please reach out for help from a mental health professional.
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
It’s normal to feel anxious about the outbreak of a new respiratory virus, especially one that has sickened so many people and caused so much death. But if your anxiety is making it difficult for you to breathe, or you’re constantly short of breath, it’s time to seek help.
Anxiety can cause physical symptoms that make it difficult to breathe, such as chest tightness, rapid breathing (hyperventilation), and difficulty catching your breath. These symptoms can be very frightening and may make you feel like you’re suffocating or having a heart attack.
If you’re having trouble breathing due to anxiety, the first step is to try to calm yourself down. Try some deep breathing exercises or visualization techniques. If these don’t help, or if your symptoms are getting worse, contact a mental health professional who can help you manage your anxiety and get through this tough time.
Tiredness or fatigue
It’s normal to feel tired or fatigued at times. However, if you’re feeling excessively tired or fatigued on a regular basis, it could be a sign of an underlying health condition. If you’re concerned about your fatigue, make an appointment with your doctor.
There are many possible causes of fatigue. It can be caused by lifestyle factors, such as not getting enough sleep or exercise, or it can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition. Some common causes of fatigue include:
– Anemia: This is a condition in which there is a decrease in the number of healthy red blood cells in the body. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body’s tissues. Anemia can cause fatigue because the body’s tissues are not getting enough oxygen.
– Thyroid problems: The thyroid is a gland that produces hormones that regulate the body’s metabolism. If the thyroid gland isn’t functioning properly, it can lead to fatigue and other symptoms like weight gain or hair loss.
– Diabetes: Fatigue is a common symptom of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. When blood sugar levels are high, it can cause increased urination and thirst, which can lead to dehydration and fatigue.
– Sleep disorders: Conditions like insomnia and sleep apnea can make it difficult to get enough restful sleep, leading to daytime fatigue.
Chest or stomach pain
Chest or stomach pain can be caused by a variety of things, including heartburn, indigestion, gas, and even stress or anxiety. While most of these causes are not serious and can be treated at home with over-the-counter medications or lifestyle changes, it’s always best to see a doctor if you’re unsure about what’s causing your pain.
If you have chest or stomach pain that is severe or accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, or an irregular heartbeat, seek medical attention immediately as these could be signs of a more serious condition like a heart attack or stroke.
Joint or muscle pain
Joint pain is a common symptom of coronavirus (COVID-19). It can affect any joint in your body, but is most commonly felt in the knees, ankles, wrists and elbows. The pain is often described as a dull ache or stiffness and can range from mild to severe. In some cases, the pain may come on suddenly and be so severe that it interferes with your ability to move the affected joint.
The cause of joint pain in people with COVID-19 is not yet known. It is thought to be related to the inflammation caused by the virus. Joint pain is a common symptom of other viral infections, such as influenza (flu). However, it is not clear why some people with COVID-19 experience joint pain while others do not.
If you have COVID-19 and develop joint pain, there are several things you can do to help relieve your symptoms:
• Rest the affected joint as much as possible.
• Apply ice or heat to the affected area for 20 minutes at a time several times per day.
• Take over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain relief.
Fast-beating heart (heart palpitations)
Heart palpitations are a common symptom of anxiety. While they can be alarming, they are usually harmless and go away on their own.
What are heart palpitations?
Heart palpitations feel like your heart is beating too hard or too fast. They can also feel like fluttering or skipping beats. You may notice them when you are resting or when you are active. Palpitations can last for a few seconds or several minutes. They usually happen sporadically and are not usually indicative of a serious medical condition. However, if you experience heart palpitations on a regular basis, it is important to see your doctor to rule out any underlying medical causes.
What causes heart palpitations?
There are many potential causes of heart palpitations, but the most common cause is anxiety. When you are anxious, your body releases adrenaline into your bloodstream which makes your heart beat faster in order to pump more blood around your body in preparation for “fight or flight” mode. This increase in heart rate can causepalpitations. Other potential causes include: caffeine, nicotine, certain medications (such as beta blockers), low blood sugar levels, an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), and dehydration. In rare cases,heart palpitations may be caused by a more serious underlying medical condition such as arrhythmia (an irregular heartbeat), cardiac tamponade (a build-up of fluid around the heart), or myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle). If you have unexplained heart palpitations that occur frequently or last for prolonged periods of time, it is important to see your doctor so that any underlying medical conditions can be ruled out..
Symptoms that get worse after physical or mental activities
It is normal to experience anxiety after physical or mental activities. Symptoms may include feeling more tired than usual, feeling short of breath, or having a hard time concentrating. These symptoms can be made worse by stress, lack of sleep, and other factors. If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is important to talk to your doctor.
Pins-and-needles feeling
For many people, the pins-and-needles feeling is simply a nuisance. It may cause them to feel uncomfortable or even anxious, but it ultimately doesn’t have a major impact on their day-to-day lives. However, for others, this feeling can be much more than just a passing inconvenience.
Those who suffer from anxiety disorders often find that the pins-and-needles sensation is one of the most intrusive and distressing symptoms they experience. This sensation can make it difficult to concentrate on anything else and can even lead to panic attacks. If you find yourself frequently experiencing this sensation, it’s important to talk to your doctor about possible treatment options.
There are a number of different ways to treat anxiety disorder, and the best approach will vary from person to person.