When Anxiety Sends You Running for Cover
If you find yourself flooded with feelings of anxiety, it could be a normal response to your current situation. However, persistent and excessive feelings of fear and worry over common situations could be the sign of a growing anxiety disorder. Fears that turn into panic mode are commonly called panic attacks. If left untreated, anxiety disorders and panic attacks can have adverse effects on your physical health. Because anxiety is linked to number of health conditions, our board-certified physicians at Medco ER & Urgent Care of Plano recommend a thorough evaluation to rule out any additional health issues.
“Panic attacks and feelings of anxiety, danger or impending doom can be deeply disturbing to the patient, but they are not always serious,” said Medco ER & Urgent Care’s Medical Director, Dr. Tariq Vora. “However, anxiety could be an indicator that something more serious is going on with the body. Therefore, getting a thorough medical examination is an important step to rule out a more serious medical condition before attributing it to a form of anxiety.”
Anxiety disorders are common among adults. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 19% of adults in the United States have suffered from an anxiety disorder in the past year. “Don’t suffer in silence,” said Dr. Vora. “Anxiety is a rather common problem and Medco ER has a friendly staff that is available to help and to provide mental reassurance in times of need.”
What are the symptoms of anxiety?
- Excessive worrying about common things
- Feeling nervous
- Emotional outbursts
- Restlessness
- Tension in muscles, trembling, twitching or cramping
- Concentration problems
- Feeling of doom
- Irritability
- Increased heart rate or palpitations
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Hyperventilation
- Abdominal cramps and diarrhea
- Sweating
What kind of health conditions can be caused by anxiety?
The human body usually responds to anxiety by releasing increased level of Adrenaline & Cortisol. Prolonged exposure to these hormones can lead to certain conditions over the course of time such as:
- Hormonal imbalance
- Elevated blood pressure
- Insulin resistance
- Increased blood sugar
- Altered food digestion
- Suppressed immune response
- Heart palpitations
- Heart disease
- Hair loss
- Impaired concentration & memory
- Depression
- Eating disorders
What health conditions can be mistaken for anxiety disorders?
Many types of ailments can manifest with symptoms suggestive of anxiety rather than a more serious health problem. Here are a few underlying conditions that your physician may check for during a medical evaluation:
- Hormone imbalance – thyroid imbalance
- Nutrition deficiency or malabsorption
- Alzheimer’s
- Blood disorders such as leukemia
- Lupus
- Fibromyalgia
- Electrolyte imbalance
Treatment for common anxiety
If your physician at Medco ER & Urgent Care determines you are suffering from anxiety, he/she can prescribe you a medication to treat it so you do not have to fight it on your own. You may be referred to a specialist for therapy or counseling that can help you feel even better. If your anxiety has caused physical symptoms, do not hesitate to receive immediate medical attention. “Whether anxiety is related to a physical condition or not, it is usually treatable,” said Dr. Vora. “So don’t feel discouraged. And feel free to come to us for help any time of the day or night.”
When should I go to the ER?
If you feel like your worrying is out of control, if you are experiencing difficulty breathing, palpitations or chest pain, or if you feel depressed or suicidal, come to the nearest ER immediately. At Medco ER & Urgent Care, we offer some of the best medical care in the region and we are open 24/7 to help you start to feel better again.
- Plano location:
3960 Legacy Drive, Plano TX 75023 (on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road)
Call us @ 469-392-4000
10 Symptoms You Should NOT Ignore
Self-reliance, toughing it out and playing through the pain is so ingrained in our psyches that it is common to hear of someone who waited too long to go to the doctor. Some symptoms are early indicators of a serious health condition and should not be ignored. To help you know the difference between a passing pain and a serious symptom, the physicians at Medco ER & Urgent Care have compiled a list of 10 things you just shouldn’t ignore.
“If you are noticing any of these symptoms,” said Medco ER & Urgent Care’s Regional Medical Director, Dr. Tariq Vora. “Come to Medco ER immediately or call 9-1-1 for assistance. Even if it turns out to be a minor condition that is easily treatable, it is best to err on the side of caution in most of these cases.”
1. Sudden Pain
If you have sudden, shooting or stabbing pain, you should pay close attention. If there is no cause for it that you can easily identify, it’s time to head to Plano’s Medco ER for evaluation. If you have pressure in your chest or pain in your neck, jaw or shoulders, it could be heart-related. Any piercing headache that comes on suddenly should also receive a prompt medical evaluation.
2. Difficulty Breathing
When your breathing becomes strained, reduced or labored, try to remain calm and not panic. Shortness of breath can be a sign of a serious medical condition such as COVID-19, Pneumonia or heart problems, OR it may be caused by a benign condition such as anxiety. However, you must seek medical attention to rule out a serious disease.
3. Numbness
If you notice an unusual sensation of numbness, such as in a foot, arm or hand, it could potentially be an early sign of stroke. At Medco ER, we have the diagnostic tools, such as a CT scan, to help evaluate your condition and treat you quickly to prevent serious health consequences of a stroke such as paralysis.
4. Sudden Weakness
If you suddenly feel your legs give out, your strength drops, you are dizzy or you feel weak all over, it is time to get medical help. Weakness may be a sign of stroke or heart attack. You could be experiencing a drop in blood pressure or a heart issue. Additionally, fainting should never be ignored.
5. Racing Heart
If your heart suddenly goes into overdrive and is racing for no apparent reason, you need to be evaluated by a qualified ER physician. Have someone drive you to the nearest ER or call for an ambulance. It is important to rule out a heart attack or cardiac arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm).
6. Searing Pain
If you suddenly have a searing headache or a burning pain in any other part of your body, this is not something to ignore. Your body is trying to tell you something. Our board-certified physicians excel at diagnostics and are ready to help. For example, a sudden onset of an excruciating headache can potentially be a sign of aneurysm or bleeding in the brain and requires an emergent CT scan of the head for evaluation.
7. Blood in the Stool
If you notice a dark, tarry looking stool, it may have blood in it. If you think there is blood in your bowel movements, it is time to be checked out by a qualified doctor. At Medco ER, our qualified physicians can perform blood tests to check for anemia, liver disorder and even a CT scan to rule out potentially serious bleeding in the abdomen.
8. Unexplained Weight Loss
If you are losing weight without a change in diet, exercise or activity level, that is enough reason to go see the doctor. Weight loss may be a sign of cancer, which may be caught in its early stages by a CT scan.
9. Confusion
Any confusion or change in mental status should be immediately evaluated at the nearest ER. If the patient shows unusual signs like being unable to do simple math, tell time or recall a major event, it is time to head to the ER. Confusion may be an early sign of stroke or bleeding in the brain.
10. Dimming Vision
Any changes in the vision, especially if occurring suddenly and accompanied by a headache, should be immediately examined at the ER. “We can examine the patient and refer to an eye specialist, if appropriate,” said Dr. Vora. “Or, it could be related to a medical condition that we can begin to treat right away.”
Find help at Medco ER & Urgent Care
Any condition of a sudden onset can be quickly addressed at Medco ER & Urgent Care. Our no-wait ER has Board Certifies physicians standing by 24/7 to diagnose and treat your condition. We provide fast access to some of the highest quality and safest medical care in the region.
While many conditions presenting to the ER may be benign, it’s important to rule out the serious ailments before they become life threatening. We take pride in our staff and Board-Certified physicians at Medco ER who can recognize the severity of any presenting medical complaint and act fast to save lives in an efficient & timely manner.
- Plano: 3960 Legacy Drive on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road.
Call us @ 469-392-4000.