Every 1 person in 10 people suffers from anxiety in the UK, which roughly sums up to 8 million people. In recent times, awareness has grown around anxiety disorders, as more people now see it as a serious medical condition just like any other disease. Still, less than 50% of patients suffering from generalised anxiety seek treatment.

Anxiety, when left untreated, starts having a physical impact and can even cause damage to the immune system. This is why people need to know all about anxiety disorder and seek help immediately.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a feeling of fear, nervousness, or worry about any situation or event. It is a stress reaction and can be normal if it helps you focus on what’s better. In some people, it is also a coping mechanism.

But anxiety can get disabling if it starts to interfere with your daily life, or if you get anxiety attacks even though there is no terror at all.

Signs and symptoms of anxiety

• Feeling nervous or restless or on the edge
• Increase in heart rate
• Feeling weak or tired
• Hyperventilation, trembling and/or sweating
• Poor concentration
• Headaches
• Difficulty in sleeping
• A constant sense of impending danger
• Excessive sweating
• Gastrointestinal troubles

Types of anxiety disorders

• Panic disorder is described by unexpected panic attacks and preoccupation with the fear of a recurring attack. Due to its unpredictability, many people have extreme anxiety between panic
• Social anxiety triggers when people find themselves very self-conscious and anxious in all
• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) develops due to a traumatic incident. Also, note that women tend to experience trauma differently than men, so urgent medical intervention is
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) leads the patient into a cycle of meaningless compulsions and
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by severe anxiety for even ordinary events and factors like health, home, family, money, or work. GAD is known to intervene in the patient’s day-to-day

Impact of anxiety on the body

Anxiety disorders can occur at any stage of life. However, in most people, it starts in their middle age. Any serious medical condition or traumatic experience can also lead to anxiety disorder. Its impact on the body is as follows:

• The brain starts releasing excessive adrenaline, cortisol and other chemicals that are mostly secreted in response to a threat. Long-term exposure to these stress hormones like cortisol can even cause weight
• Anxiety disorders are accompanied by palpitations, chest pain, heart rate and increased blood pressure. If you have an existing heart-health condition, it can increase the risk of coronary
• Anxiety disorder can also lead to an upset stomach with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and bowel
• Characterized by rapid breathing, anxiety can make it worse for asthma patients or those suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• The effect of anxiety on physical health can be visible through symptoms like muscle tension, insomnia, headaches, depression and social

Constant anxiety attacks trigger a threat reaction in the brain, leading to excessive cortisol secretion. It can weaken your immune system, making you vulnerable to viral diseases and infections.

How does cortisol weaken the immunity system?

As mentioned earlier, cortisol, secreted as a coping mechanism, is helpful for a small duration of time. In case of prolonged anxiety, cortisol tries to reduce inflammation by restricting a few antibodies that can cause inflammation.

It also suppresses specific antibodies and immunities, which tend to be harmful in the longer run. For prolonged anxiety, your body requires white blood cells and T-cells that cortisol has suppressed. If this arrangement continues for a long time, your immune system can get weaker.

This doesn’t just mean that you’re now susceptible to infection. It’s also the case that if you fall ill, your body will take longer to recover. When anxiety is already taking over the agency of your immune system, your body mostly finds it difficult to fight other infections.

Treatment

Treatment for anxiety disorders mostly depends on your health history and other factors like traumatic past, abusive family members, etc. Common treatment methods include medicine, counselling (psychotherapy), or both.

How to beat anxiety to keep your immune system strong?

Some tried and tested anxiety reduction strategies include:

●    Exercise

The best way to fight anxiety is to exert physical pressure on your body. When you start engaging in physical activities, your brain boosts chemical release that uplifts your mood. It also burns out extra energy that can sometimes take the shape of anxiety.

●    Relax

Engage in some relaxing activities that calm down anxiety. Many people find massages to be an anxiety-reduction strategy. It relaxes your muscles by relieving tension and calms down any threat reaction that your brain can trigger. When your body is thoroughly relaxed, the immune system also works effectively.

●    Focus on what you eat

If we are growing plants, every element that we add to the soil impacts the way our plants grow. Similarly, when we add good nutrients to our diet, it influences our well-being. Unhealthy eating and lack of water can worsen anxiety symptoms. So, if you want to ensure good mental health, look after what you feed your body and always stay hydrated. Overall, a good diet and hydration can improve your immunity.

●    Add supplements

In case your diet is not providing adequate nutrients and boost to your health, explore natural options for supplements. Dietary supplements with natural food ingredients have no side effects in most cases, and easily accelerate your progress towards your immunity goals. The vitamins and minerals sourced from plant sources support your health and general well-being to reduce stress and anxiety.

To sum up

When you are having trouble with anxiety, remember that you are not alone. You can always reach out to your friends, family, or your doctor to seek immediate intervention. Practice yoga or other mindful exercises and repeat to yourself, that you are not alone. Taking natural supplements to support your mind and immunity is a very wise step. 61% of consumers in the UK trust natural ingredients in supplements to boost their health. Consult with an expert and check out the range of natural dietary supplements by Authentic Biotics.