Figures of speech based on real feelings? What causes the physical symptoms?

Question

What are some figures of speech based on real feelings? I thought of three: blood boiling, lump in my throat and heartache.

When you say, "My blood is boiling" you don't actually feel bubbling in the veins but you feel a hot flush, your muscles tighten and constrict, heart pounds. This one is easy to explain - I think the rush of anger raises the blood pressure and temperature too, thus the feeling your blood is boiling.

We've all had a lump in our throat when we encounter something sad, touching or heartbreaking. It's hard to swallow - why?

When you say, "My heart aches" sometimes that is true. A deep profound sadness does seem to cause a heavy ache in the breastbone. Every breath seems heavier, your chest can even physically ache where your heart is. Sometimes it feels like it swells up in your chest. It must be some sort of response from the body to emotion, but what are the physiogical explanation for this very real feeling of heartache?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

This question give me a splitting headache.  If someone can answr it definitively, my heart will leap.  But I suspect, it will turn out to just be another pain in the ***. Of course I would get all choked up with the perfect answer.

Amphibian · Answer

The release of hormones and neurotransmitters in the brain as a response to stimulus is what causes these symptoms. The "boiling blood" is a sensation caused by the initialization of the "fight or flight" response caused by norepinephrine, epinephrine and adrenaline. Your body is supplying more blood to your muscles to prepare you to have the energy either to fight for your life or run away from a threat. Granted, having that response to some that just cut you off on the freeway is not life threatening in the same way, but that is what it is a hold over from. Likewise the lump in the throat and the heart break are responses to changing blood pressure in the neck and increased heart rate due to these same hormonal and neurochemical interactions.

Margaret · Answer

Wow! Are you ever concrete. You're refering to analogies, **not** symptomology. You sound smart and sensitive, yet extremely naive.

wonderful girl · Answer

It is usually caused by congestive heart failure. you will have these symptoms:-

-  History of heart attack
-  Coronary artery disease
-  High blood pressure
-  Valve disease
-  Cardiomyopathy
-  Congenital heart defects

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Figures of speech based on real feelings? What causes the physical symptoms?

4 Answers