Home | Health | 10 Common Health Conditions That Can Develop Muscle Pain

10 common health conditions that can develop muscle pain

10 common health conditions that can develop muscle pain

Experiencing muscle pain once in a while is quite normal for many. This kind of pain can arise due to heavy lifting or high-intensity workouts. This pain can subside in a few days by resting or using specific home remedies. However, if the muscle pain is persistent and chronic, the cause can be an underlying health disorder or infection. In such cases, it is important to consult a doctor and get a correct diagnosis immediately.

Common causes of muscle pain

Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is caused by repeated nerve stimulation. This changes the pain receptors of the brain and the spinal cord. As a result, there is an increase in the level of chemicals that respond to pain. This also results in widespread musculoskeletal pain. Many people who have fibromyalgia end up having chronic muscle pain, tension headaches, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, fatigue, sleep, memory, and mood issues.

Chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS, causes extreme tiredness, which doesn’t go away even after rest. One of its most notable symptoms is muscle and joint pain. There is no swelling or inflammation in the pain points. The pain worsens with any physical or mental activity. Other symptoms include sensitivity to light, headache, tender lymph nodes, fatigue and weakness, inability to concentrate, insomnia, forgetfulness, mood swings, confusion, and occasional low-grade fever.

Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism, also known as underactive thyroid disease, occurs when the thyroid gland doesn’t produce a normal level of thyroid hormones in the body. This slows down metabolism leading to several symptoms and causes muscle aches. There is tenderness and stiffness of joints, specifically in the knees and hands. A person may also experience fatigue, brain fog, numbness and tingling sensations, constipation, muscle weakness, and dry, coarse skin and hair.

Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder. It causes the immune system to mistake the healthy cells of the body for foreign substances and attack them. This leads to inflammation and painful swelling in the affected areas of the body. RA mainly affects the joints in the knees, fingers, and hands. It causes intense muscle pain and joint stiffness,, and tenderness. Muscle weakness is also commonly experienced. There is almost a 25% to 70% reduction in the strength of the muscles due to RA. This leads to decreased skeletal muscle mass.

Lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system, which usually protects the body from infection, to attack healthy tissues. This condition further leads to permanent tissue damage and causes inflammation. It affects nearly all parts of the body, from the joints, skin, lungs, heart, to kidneys, and the brain. There is muscle pain and joint aches of varying intensities. In addition, there can be joint and muscle stiffness, with or without swelling. Common areas where one can experience muscle pain and swelling are the neck, shoulders, thighs, and upper arms.

Polymyalgia rheumatica
This is an inflammatory disease that is mostly observed in those above 65 years. It causes mild to severe stiffness and pain in the muscles. It particularly affects the muscles of the hips and shoulders. In most cases, polymyalgia rheumatica is preceded by another inflammatory disorder known as giant cell arteritis. It causes headaches, vision problems, scalp tenderness, and jaw pain.

Myositis
Another autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack the muscles of the body is myositis. It is a type of myopathy, which refers to disorders that affect the muscles that connect to the bones. There is swelling of muscles and joints that varies in intensity over time. Chronic inflammation eventually causes the muscles to become weak, which further aggravates muscle pain and stiffness. There are different forms of myositis that affect different groups of muscles. It generally affects the muscles that are used for mobility and motion purposes, including muscles in the arms, shoulders, legs, hips, abdomen, and spine.

Lyme disease
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia mayonii. It occurs when a person is bitten by infected black-legged ticks. Some of the common symptoms include headache, fever, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. When left untreated in the initial stages, the infection can spread to the heart, nervous system, and joints. A person may experience soreness in the muscles and pain in the joints. In most cases, the muscles of the legs and joints of the knees are affected. As the disease progresses, the intensity of the muscle pain gets severe.

Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a chronic autoimmune disorder. It causes the immune system to attack the healthy cells of the central nervous system. It is an unpredictable disease that affects people differently. However, a common symptom across all cases is chronic muscle pain and fatigue. This happens because MS damages the nerves that are connected with the muscles responsible for movement. As a result, the muscles experience pain through spasms of different intensities. A person may experience cramping or pulling of muscles in the arms and legs. In addition, there can be muscle weakness and stiffness.

Influenza
Seasonal influenza is a respiratory infection that is caused by influenza viruses. The flu generally affects the lungs, throat, and nose. Common symptoms include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and runny or stuffy nose. Another common symptom is muscle pain. Since the body is attacked by the influenza virus, the immune system jumps into action. It starts to release white blood cells to fight off the infection-causing viruses. This further leads to inflammation, causing muscle pain to last for as long as the infection is present in the body.

These conditions can be treated and managed with timely diagnosis, recommended prescriptions, and treatment options. One must consult a doctor at the earliest when certain signs are experienced. A delay in treatment may lead to potential complications.

Recent Topics

9 Simple Steps to Create a Lush Green Lawn

9 Simple Steps to Create a Lush Green Lawn

The grass can be greener where you want it to be! Learning to take care of your lawn appropriately and maintaining it can help you create a lusher, greener yard for hosting cookouts, picnics, barbecues, or a relaxing yard for you and your loved ones. You can take some quick, easy steps to avoid faded or dead patches and create the lawn of your dreams. Check out nine ways to maintain a green lawn. Test the soil To create a vibrant green yard, you must start by caring for the most critical factor – the soil. Since grass needs nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus to thrive, it is important to ensure your soil is enriched with them. To ensure the best grass growth, it is also important to have a soil pH level of 5.5 to 6.5. Using a home soil test kit or hiring an agency can help you take the guesswork out of soil profiling. These tests usually cost around $20 and are the foundation of a beautiful, well-nourished lawn. Aerate the lawn If your lawn is used to a lot of walking and trundling by your children or pets, it may be wise to aerate it before planting any grass.
12 Smoothies to Manage Arthritis and Relieve Joint Pain

12 Smoothies to Manage Arthritis and Relieve Joint Pain

Arthritis is characterized by swelling or tenderness of the joints. It affects over 50 million people in the country. The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which tend to worsen with age. It may be inherited or caused by immune problems or metabolic conditions like gout. Making changes in daily meal plans can help manage arthritis symptoms. One of the easiest ways to introduce inflammation-relieving foods into one’s life is with delicious smoothies. Try these twelve arthritis-friendly smoothies at home to alleviate joint pain. Pineapple and turmeric smoothie Blend a quarter of a pineapple with water, orange, turmeric, lemon zest, mango, ginger, carrot, and salt. This delicious yellow smoothie is rich in antioxidants from pineapple, orange, and turmeric, which can reduce oxidative stress in the body. The main active component of turmeric, curcumin, inhibits COX-2, the enzyme that causes joint pain and inflammation, helping reduce symptoms of arthritis. The pineapple, orange, and mango add vitamin C to the smoothie, which also helps fight inflammation. Pineapple also contains the enzyme bromelain, which can help reduce arthritic pain. Kiwi and kale green smoothie Blend two kiwis with a bunch of kale, one mango, one orange, and some water to create a quick and easy green smoothie.
10 types of foods to avoid to manage multiple sclerosis

10 types of foods to avoid to manage multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disorder that affects the central nervous system. It causes damage to the myelin sheath, which is a covering that protects the nerve fibers, and leads to several debilitating symptoms. It is a complex health disorder without any cure and its exact cause is unknown. However, lifestyle changes such as eating mindfully may help manage the condition. Certain types of foods worsen the symptoms and should be avoided. Saturated fats Saturated fats are mostly found in animal-based products and by-products. Additionally, they are present in certain types of oils. Saturated fats increase inflammation levels in the body as these raise the level of LDL or bad cholesterol. This increases the risk of heart disorders, which most people with multiple sclerosis are highly prone to have. So, it is best to avoid foods with saturated fats, such as: Red meat Full-fat dairy Butter Processed snacks, such as cakes, cookies, and chips Palm oil Coconut oil Trans fats Another group of foods to avoid to manage multiple sclerosis is those containing trans fats. Just like saturated fats, trans fats also increase the level of inflammation in the body. Trans fats are known to increase inflammation levels within blood vessels.
7 early and noticeable signs of Parkinsons disease

7 early and noticeable signs of Parkinsons disease

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder primarily affecting the nerves communicating signals from the brain. An intricate network of nerves runs throughout the body carrying electrical impulses and signals to control a specific part or function. Parkinson’s disrupts these communication channels, making it difficult to control automatic reflexes and movements. It is only possible to manage Parkinson’s with early diagnosis as the disease has no cure. Tremors One of the first signs of developing Parkinson’s is tremors. People might experience different intensities of this motor function, but often, resting tremors are the first indicators of the neurological disorder. Resting tremors develop when the body is active and subside when the body is at rest. For example, one might not notice the tremors while using the hand actively. But when the hand is in a rested position, these tremors develop abruptly and are more noticeable while walking or sitting. Tremors that get worse with time start to interfere with regular activities like writing or shaving, among other actions that require fine gross motor skills. The uncontrolled shaking starts with just the thumb or one of the fingers, usually affecting one hand. However, the intensity of these tremors varies depending on how quickly the condition progresses.

Most Popular

Overactive Bladder – Management Options, Prevention, and Causes
01

Overactive Bladder – Management Options, Prevention, and Causes

An overactive bladder (OAB) results in frequent, unexpected urges to urinate. When one is dealing with an overactive bladder, they can experience frequent urges during the day and at night, along with incontinence. However, simple changes, such as better food choices, timed voiding, and bladder-holding techniques utilizing the pelvic floor muscles, can help one manage the symptoms of an overactive bladder. Here are a few things one should know when affected by OAB: Signs One may experience the following symptoms: Sudden and frequent urge to urinate Accidental urination right after experiencing an urge to urinate (urgency incontinence) Frequent urination, typically two or more times every few hours Need to go to the washroom more than two times every night (nocturia) Even if one can urinate normally when dealing with an overactive bladder, symptoms like unexpected frequent urination and nighttime urination can disrupt daily routine and cause discomfort. Doctors may refer the patient to a urologist, who focuses on illnesses and conditions of the reproductive system and urinary tract. One should consult a doctor as soon as they notice any of the signs. Overactive bladder is common in older adults, but some women can develop the issue at about 45. Ways to manage an overactive bladder People with overactive bladder may respond to a variety of therapies.
Read More

© 2024 EntryNotes.com. All Rights Reserved.