Since the dawn of civilization, humans have been wired with a fight-or-flight response to danger.

In other cases, it may not be triggered by any single situation in particular.

Anxiety can also have long- or short-term physical effects ranging from mild discomfort to life-threatening conditions.

anxious woman

Here’s what happens to your body when you’re anxious all day.

It could also help to engage in a stress-reducing activity such as journaling, meditating, or reading.

(Here are somecreative activities that could ease your anxiety.)

distracted woman with a laptop

You might suffer from tension headaches and migraines

People with anxiety may be prone to tension headaches.

So, if you have anxiety, you may be familiar with migraines, too.

To prevent potentially anxiety-induced headaches,Healthlinesuggests being aware of your triggers.

woman holding her forehead

Still, anxiety headaches cannot be prevented completely.

When they do arise, you may consider treatment options like medication, therapy, or acupuncture.

(Here aretherapist-approved ways to cope with anxiety.)

woman clutching her chest

Deep breathing exercises can help you manage anxiety and related breathing symptoms.

Notably, breathing from the nose, in particular, can help you avoid hyperventilation.

Symptoms may include stomach cramps, heartburn, loose stools, and nausea.

woman with her hand on her upper chest

The “gut-brain connection” can also cause or worsen chronic digestive issues like irritable bowel syndrome.

Anxiety or anti-anxiety medication?"

While there is no straightforward solution for navigating anxiety and sexual satisfaction, your mental health should remain paramount.

woman holding her stomach

A combination of medication and psychotherapy has proven to be effective in chronic cases of both anxiety and pain.

Depressionis more common among women than among men, per the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

In women, depression “tends to manifest as sadness, worthlessness, and guilt.”

couple sitting on a bed

Anxiety and depression share similar symptoms, including “nervousness, irritability, and problems sleeping and concentrating.”

Though the two conditions vary, they require similar clinical treatments in the forms of psychotherapy and medication.

Individuals who have anxiety, depression, or both are advised to avoid alcohol and non-prescription drugs.

woman lying awake in bed

You may feel irritable

Irritability is a common symptom of both anxiety and depression.

Your irritable feelings do not mean you’re a disagreeable or grumpy person.

An anxious, hyper-aroused state can make minor annoyances or inconveniences seem like colossal threats due to fight-or-flight instincts.

woman with shoulder pain

Anxiety, irritability, and mood swings are often caused or worsened by hormonal imbalances.

Expected panic attacks often occur in response to specific fears or situations that the sufferer finds stressful.

Multiple panic attacks may indicate a panic disorder.

sad woman sitting in a hallway

Panic attacks can occur as a result of feelings of anxiety that have escalated to extreme levels.

Some people may neglect their need to eat completely.

Losing your appetite due to anxiety is related to the primal fight-or-flight response, perHealthline.

woman looking at her colleage

It can also be the result of the body’s excess production of the cortisol stress hormone.

This process also, for the same reasons, decreases appetite."

Anxiety can cause dizziness in a few different ways.

woman experiencing a panic attack

Dizziness can also be sparked by anxiety-related breathing problems, such ashyperventilation, which can lead to fainting.

As with many physical symptoms, dizziness is both a symptom and a cause for anxiety.

woman looking at her cereal

woman holding her head