What Causes Extreme Muscle and Joint Pain?

Tension, chronic stress, and minor injuries can result in extreme muscle and joint pain. This type of pain is usually localized and can affect a few parts of the body at the same time.

Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, bursitis, strains, and gout can also lead to painful joints.

According to the latest research, joint pain is pretty common in adults. Every fourth person reports having it. If you are one of them, here is what you need to know about muscle pain and its treatment:

Treatment for muscle and joint pain

In case you don’t have any other symptoms that would indicate having one of the conditions described below consider using some homemade treatments to ease the pain.

Here is what you can do to relieve muscle discomfort:

1. Take a pain reliever such as ibuprofen or naproxen tablets.
2. Apply some ice to the affected area (cold, wet towel can also work).
3. Gently stretch painful muscles.
4. Take some time to rest.
5. Avoid lifting heavy items.
6. Avoid high-impact activities.

The most common causes of muscle pain

Not all aches are related to stress or physical activity. As stated above, some medical conditions can cause muscle pain. For example:

Fibromyalgia

In case you have pain on both sides of your body that lasts longer than three months, it might be a sign of fibromyalgia. It is a long-term condition that can cause pain in muscles, general fatigue, sleep and cognitive disturbances. Other symptoms of this condition include headaches, dry eyes, anxiety, pain in the lower belly, and bladder problems.

Keep in mind that only professional healthcare providers can make a diagnosis. If you notice the symptoms of fibromyalgia, make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible and get the right treatment on time.

Chronic fatigue syndrome

We all get tired from time to time. However, having chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a serious problem that cannot be neglected. Doctors still don’t know what exactly causes this syndrome in adults. They presume that CFS is related to stress, hormonal imbalances, viruses, and weakened immune system. Some people can also be genetically predisposed to develop this syndrome.

Your muscle and joint pain can be caused by chronic fatigue syndrome in case you notice the following symptoms: chronic insomnia, reduced concentration, and loss of memory.

Myofascial pain syndrome

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) can also affect your muscles and cause pain. The list of other symptoms of MPS includes painful knots in muscles, sleep disturbance, rapid changes in mood.

This syndrome can be caused by various factors such as poor posture, injury to the intervertebral discs or musculoskeletal system, lack of movement, nutritional deficiencies, and nutritional deficiencies.

It is necessary to perform a physical exam in order to diagnose myofascial trigger points. The treatment plan would include massage therapy, dry needling, ultrasound therapy, and several medications.

Autoimmune diseases

Some people’s immune systems are being attacked by their own bodies. It means that they have an autoimmune disease.

There are a lot of autoimmune diseases: type 1 diabetes, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammatory bowel disease, Addison’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), autoimmune vasculitis, Celiac disease, pernicious anemia, etc.

It is easy to spot some early symptoms of autoimmune disease: hair loss, trouble concentrating, low-grade fever, achy muscles, skin rashes, numbness in hands and feet.

To confirm the diagnosis, make sure to test your blood.

Hypokalemia

People who have low blood potassium levels are diagnosed with hypokalemia. You need to contact your doctor in case you experience the following symptoms: muscle cramping, constipation, palpitations, and fatigue.

Hypokalemia is considered a side-effect of other conditions like Cushing syndrome, Gitelman syndrome, Bartter syndrome, and Liddle syndrome.

It can also be the result of long-term use of laxatives, high doses of penicillin, magnesium deficiency, and adrenal gland issues. Routine blood and urine test can help to confirm the diagnosis.

Other common causes of muscles aches include:

1. Injuring the muscle.
2. Overusing the muscles during a workout.
3. Skipping warmups before the workout.
4. Infections, such as polio, flu, and bacterial infections.

The use of certain drugs such as cocaine, ACE inhibitors, and statins can also be reasons for muscle and joint pain.

When to see a doctor

In some cases, home treatment can’t be enough to solve the problem of painful joints and muscles. If pain lasts for a week, it is important to see a healthcare provider. You might also want to make an appointment with your doctor in case of fever, vomiting, stiffness in your neck, difficulty swallowing, and inability to move that affects your daily life.

It is also possible to prevent sore muscles by staying hydrated, exercising regularly, and doing warmups before the workout.

In case you notice some symptoms of conditions described above, avoid self-medicating since it might only worsen your condition.

Hosted by the International Pain Foundation www.internationalpain.org