Beaware of the conditions that look like anxiety

There are certain conditions that look like anxiety, but are some other diseases in fact. Often this drags us to dangerous, even fatal conditions sometimes. Let's know some of these conditions.

Heart problems: These can spike your heart and breathing rates the same way anxiety does. Panic attacks and heart attacks in particular have similar -- and sometimes identical -- symptoms. Both can cause dizziness, chest pain, and trouble breathing. They can also trigger sweating, nausea, and a feeling of fear. It can be hard to tell them apart without testing. Be alert if you have any of these symptoms, especially if you don't have a history of panic attacks.

Asthma: Both it and anxiety can cause shortness of breath, chest pain, and lightheadedness. Both can be triggered by stressors like relationship or financial problems. Many people with asthma also have panic attacks. You may think it is anxiety if you start to have these symptoms as an adult, but you could be dealing with adult-onset asthma. Red flags include wheezing, coughing, and symptoms that change day by day.

Diabetes: With uncontrolled diabetes, sugar rushes and dips can lead to trembling, sweating, and a fast heart rate. It can cause headaches and nausea, too. These symptoms are sometimes confused with anxiety. Talk to your doctor if you are often very hungry, thirsty, tired, or peeing a lot. Or if you are losing weight, have blurry vision, dry skin, or sores that heal slowly. You may need your blood sugar tested.

Hyperthyroidism: Hormonal imbalances can look like anxiety. For example, an overactive thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. This can speed up your metabolism and lead to nervousness, restlessness, and a fast heartbeat. It can also cause sleep trouble and irritability, all common with anxiety. A "thyroid storm" can look very similar to a panic attack. Keep an eye out for unexplained weight loss and increased sensitivity to heat, both signs of hyperthyroidism.

Sleep apnea: When you cannot breathe properly at night, you might wake up feeling breathless or with a racing heart. Sleep apnea can lead to other anxiety-like symptoms including headaches, mood changes, memory trouble, and nightmares. It can even trigger panic attacks. Talk to your doctor about getting tested for sleep apnea, especially if you also snore loudly.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Many people with anxiety get stomachaches. But IBS can also cause belly pain and cramps. These conditions often go hand in hand, and each can make the other worse. So it is sometimes hard to know which is the root cause. If you have bloating, gas, constipation, and diarrhea, IBS may be the source. Getting the right treatment will help you feel better physically and mentally.

Lung diseases: They often cause shortness of breath, a common symptom of anxiety, along with nausea and chest pain or pressure. If you also cough or wheeze a lot and have trouble taking a deep breath, you could have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The risk is higher if you're a smoker or have had a respiratory infection.

Endometriosis: This condition happens when your uterine lining grows outside the uterus. Many people go undiagnosed for years because the pain can be hard to pin down. It is often chalked up to IBS or "bad periods." It can also be misdiagnosed as anxiety. And if you actually do have anxiety, it may stem from your symptoms. Talk to an obstetrician/gynecologist, if you have irregular, heavy, or very painful periods or ongoing pelvic pain. Be sure to tell them if you have pain during sex, stomachaches, or pain when you poop or pee.

Source: WebMD