Muscle aches

Considerations:
Muscle pain is a common complaint and is most frequently related to overuse or muscle injury from unaccustomed exercise or work. In these situations the cause of the muscle pain is fairly obvious. However, muscle pain can accompany many other conditions such as infectious disease, autoimmune disease, parasitosis and other problems.

Muscle pain (myalgia) may accompany other symptoms such as joint pain ( arthralgia ), fever , or general ill feeling ( malaise ).

Muscle injury may result from exercise or overuse. It takes about 48 hours for a muscle to heal from minor overuse. Any time that the muscles are sore following exercise, it indicates some extent of muscle damage.

Common Causes:
The most common causes are:

Muscle pain may also be associated with many disorders.
Autoimmune:

Infections/infestations of the muscle:

Generalized infections:

Drugs:

  • amphotericin B
  • carbinoxolone
  • chloroquine
  • clofibrate
  • corticosteroids
  • hydroxychloroquine

Note: There may be other causes of myalgia. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as location, quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for myalgia, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.

Home Care:
For muscle pain, both rest and exercise are important.

Muscle aches from overuse and trauma often respond well to cold and/or warm compresses. massage, and temporary decreased use or rest. Heat, warm baths, massage, and gentle stretching exercises after a rest period should be used as frequently as possible.

Regular exercise (slowly increased from very gentle to more vigorous) may help restore the proper muscle tone (walking, cycling, and swimming are recommended).

Over-the-counter pain medications may help relieve pain and swelling .

Muscular aches associated with specific diseases are best controlled by treating the primary illness according to instructions given by the health care provider.

Call Your Healthcare Provider If:

  • the muscle pain persists beyond 3 days.
  • there is severe, unexplained muscle pain especially if accompanied by other unexplained symptoms.



What to Expect:
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting your myalgia in detail may include:

  • When did it start?
  • How long did it last?
  • Is there a pattern to the occurrences?
  • How bad is it?
  • Where is it exactly?
  • Is it all over or only in a specific area?
  • Is it always in the same location?
  • What makes it better or worse?
  • What other symptoms occur at the same time? Especially is there:

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

Physical therapy may be prescribed.

After seeing your health care provider:
If a diagnosis was made by your health care provider related to myalgia, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.