Muscle Pain

Muscle pain, also known as myalgia, can be caused by injuries, infectious diseases, or other health issues. It can be temporary or chronic as well as localized or widespread throughout the body; its intensity varies from person to person. Everyone can experience muscle soreness. People who start a new physical activity regimen can experience delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), typically occurring 6 to 12 hours after exercise and may persist for up to 48 hours. During this time, you may experience pain as your muscles are recovering.

Symptoms

• Muscle soreness
• Muscle cramps
• Muscle spasms
• Joint pain

When to see a doctor

Seek medical attention if you develop fever, chest pain, muscle weakness, numbness, loss of bladder control, or worsening pain.

Causes

1. Autoimmune diseases, e.g., multiple sclerosis, lupus, and inclusion body myositis and polymyositis
2. Infections, e.g., colds, influenza, malaria, trichinosis, Lyme disease, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Viral and bacterial infections can cause achy muscles, accompanied by fever, nausea, or swollen lymph nodes.
3. Muscle overuse injuries cause back and abdominal strains, myofascial pain syndrome, tendinitis, or tendinosis.
4. Medications and therapies such as statins which help lower your cholesterol levels, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors for hypertension, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy can cause short-term and long-term muscle pain. The medications may cause myositis and trigger muscle pain receptors.
5. Neuromuscular disorders such as spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), myasthenia gravis (MG), Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
6. Other health conditions include stress, electrolyte imbalance, peripheral artery disease, hypothyroidism, fibromyalgia, compartment syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, sarcomas, and leukemia.

Diagnosis

If the cause of your muscle pain is unknown or you experience severe or chronic muscle pain, doctors may order additional tests.

• Blood tests can help determine your enzyme, hormone, and electrolyte levels and check for signs of infections.
• CT scan or MRI can identify muscle damage.
• Electromyography (EMG) can measure the electrical activity in nerves and muscles and evaluate nerve and muscle function.
• Muscle biopsy.

These additional tests can help your doctor make a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Treatment

Temporary muscle pain can usually be relieved by resting, stretching, or taking pain relievers.

• Rest and elevate the affected area to reduce the strain.
• Apply a cold compress to relieve inflammation and a hot compress to improve blood circulation in the sore muscles.
• Take a warm shower or bath to relax your muscles.
• Take pain relievers, such as aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen, to reduce pain and inflammation.
• Try complementary therapies, such as massage, acupuncture, and meditation, for additional relief and relaxation.

These treatment options can help you manage temporary muscle pain and facilitate a faster recovery. If the pain persists or intensifies, seek medical attention for an additional assessment and suitable treatment plan.