Your immune system helps protect you from infection. Inflammation is part of the body’s response to injury or illness.

This ALPIMS domain includes different experiences:

• Allergy: an immune reaction to a particular substance.
• Autoimmune conditions: the immune system mistakenly targets the body’s own tissues.
• Inflammatory conditions: inflammation contributes to symptoms, such as in inflammatory bowel disease.

These are not all the same condition. They need different assessments and treatments.

• Symptoms can bring worry. Pain, itching, breathlessness and unpredictable flares can feel frightening.
• Illness can add load. Poor sleep, fatigue and uncertainty can make coping harder.
• Stress may influence symptoms. Stress-response systems and immune activity interact; effects vary by condition and person.

This does not mean worry caused your illness.

Some studies find differences in inflammatory markers among groups of people with anxiety disorders.

Findings are mixed. Sleep, medicines, other illnesses and many other factors can influence these markers.

An association does not prove causation.

• Anxiety does not automatically mean you have inflammation.
• A blood test such as CRP cannot diagnose the cause of anxiety.
• This research does not establish anti-inflammatory medicines as routine anxiety treatment.

Research: GAD and inflammatory markers · Inflammation, anxiety and related conditions .

Breathlessness, a racing heart or dizziness can occur with anxiety. They can also occur with medical conditions or medicine effects.

The feeling alone cannot tell you the cause.

New, changing or unexplained symptoms deserve assessment. If you have a diagnosed condition, follow its treatment or action plan.

ASCIA — Anaphylaxis first aid

• Treat the condition: review symptoms and treatment with your clinician.
• Make a clear plan: know what to do during a flare and when to seek help.
• Reduce daily load: allow rest and practical support when symptoms are high.
• Support anxiety: adapted psychological support may help with worry, uncertainty and coping.
• Review medicines: some, including corticosteroids, can affect sleep or mood.

Support should fit your capacity. Avoid adding restrictive diets, supplements or extra treatments without a clear reason and appropriate advice.

Your GP can help assess the pattern and coordinate care.

Depending on your symptoms, support may include an allergist / clinical immunologist, rheumatologist, respiratory specialist, gastroenterologist or psychologist.

The main connection is between Anxiety & Autonomic and Immune / Inflammatory.

Pain, sleep, mood and sensory load may also matter, depending on the person.

One support may help several parts of the picture. For example, managing itching may improve sleep and reduce worry.

ALPIMS organises patterns. It does not diagnose their cause.

• Costello et al. (2019) — Systematic review and meta-analysis of inflammation and generalised anxiety disorder.
• Inflammatory markers in people with clinically significant depression, anxiety or PTSD — systematic review and meta-analysis.
• ASCIA — First aid plan for anaphylaxis.
• NHS — Prednisolone side effects, including sleep and mood changes.

Research findings describe groups. They cannot determine the cause of one person’s symptoms.