Major Muscle Pain Symptoms In Adults

By Dorthy Swanson


Pain in the muscle is usually referred to by the name myalgia or simply as muscle pain. It is a common kind of problem among people from all over the world. Since muscles appear in every almost every inch of the body, myalgia can occur in anywhere in the body. The kind of muscle pain symptoms one experiences are usually dictated by the part of the body where the aching is happening.

In most circumstance, the cause of myalgia can always be pinpointed by most people. The reason for this is that myalgia occurs as a result of three major factors, which are, excessive stress, tension, or physical activity. The part of the body where muscle tension can occur may be just one or several places. When muscles are used excessively, they also ache. Injury is also a common cause.

Not all instances of myalgia are related to physical activity, tension, or stress. There are also medical explanations that may cause the problem. Some common medical causes are hypokalemia, thyroid problems, infections, use of certain drugs or medications, fibromyalgia, and autoimmune disorder. Low potassium content in the body causes hypokalemia. Examples of drugs and medications that may cause myalgia are cocaine, statins, and ACE inhibitors.

There are also certain infections that cause myalgia. Bacterial infections, flu, and polio are some of the main infections. Lupus, polymyositis, and derematomyositis are among the autoimmune disorders that can result in this condition while thyroid problems contributing to myalgia are hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. The cause of the aching is a major determinant of how long it will stay. In many cases, it takes just a few days for it to go away. In others, it may take months and that is when a doctor should be seen immediately.

In case this problem starts when one is at home, there are certain home remedies that can be used to ease the pain. The pains often respond well to these remedies in most cases. First, one should try to rest the area where the aching is being felt. This can be done by lying down or sitting. Secondly, one can take over-the-counter pain medication such as paracetamol and ibuprofen. Inflammation and aching can also be reduced by applying ice on the affected area.

The problem can be eased by stretching the aching muscle gently. One can also rub it gently using an ointment. While the muscles still ache, it is advisable to stay away from high-impact activities such as weightlifting. One may engage in stress-relieving exercises like meditation to see if the problem gets better.

Medical help should be sought if home remedies fail to work within a few days. Persistence of myalgia may be caused by an underlying medical problem. This should be verified by a professional medical practitioner to be certain.

Aching that occurs without any apparent reason should warrant a trip to the doctor. The same applies to myalgia that occurs together with elevated body temperatures, redness, swelling, or a rash in the region. Cases of myalgia that are treated as medical emergencies are when the condition causes difficulty breathing or swallowing and immobility or weakness in affected areas.




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