Muscle pain is a common condition that can occur in children and adults, and can be short-term or chronic. While aching and sore muscles are not that much of a concern in most situations, it is still recommended to seek advice from a health professional as sometimes, paining muscles may be a symptom of a specific underlying illness. So, let’s learn more about muscle pains, their causes, their symptoms, and how to manage them.
Symptoms
People suffering from muscle pain may experience any of the following symptoms apart from muscle discomfort and soreness:
Fever
Rashes
Bite marks
Weakness and stiffness in the affected region
Dizziness
Breathing difficulties
Swelling, redness, and other signs of infection
Among the symptoms mentioned above, breathing difficulty or high fever will demand immediate medical consultation. If an ache is caused by tension, strain, injury, or stress, the discomfort is likely limited to a particular region. However, in the case of full-body muscle pain, the cause may be an underlying illness, medication, or infection.
Common causes of muscle cramps
Muscle pain, also called myalgia, can be experienced in any part of the body comprising muscles. The level of discomfort may vary from mild to extremely severe depending on the cause of the muscle cramps. Here are a few most common causes of muscle pain:
Stress
Apart from shaking and headaches, stress can also cause muscle aches. This is because the body finds it challenging to fight off disease when a person is stressed. As the person is affected by the disease, experiencing muscle pain is not surprising since the body struggles to deal with infection or inflammation. Some of the significant symptoms of stress include:
An increase in heart rate
A rise in blood pressure
Shaking
Headaches
Hyperventilating or Feeling breathless
Chest pains
To deal with stress, people can try various relaxation techniques, including yoga and breathing exercises, sleep well, and avoid undue stress as much as possible.
Nutritional deficiency
A lack of proper nutrition is another significant cause of muscle aches. One of the most vital nutrients that take care of the appropriate functioning of muscles is Vitamin D. It supports calcium absorption by the body, and a deficiency of this nutrient can lead to conditions like hypocalcemia. It is a body disorder that decreases calcium levels in the blood, affecting the muscles, bones, and other organs.
Dehydration
Dehydration is another common cause of muscle aches. People should take care of their daily water intake to ensure their body functions well. Otherwise, the body can shut down without the necessary fluids, challenging food digestion and breathing. According to health professionals, an ordinary person must drink 6 to 8 glasses of water per day to keep their body hydrated.
Strains and sprains
Sprains, strains, and other injuries may also lead to muscle aches and discomfort. In case of injury-induced muscle pain, people may notice that the discomfort and stiffness are limited to a specific area. Even though taking ample rest is the most recommended remedy for such muscle aches, with some pain relievers and a patch for muscle cramps, consult a doctor if the pain doesn’t subside or restricts regular movement.
Insomnia
Sleep deficiencies are a significant cause of stress, which in turn causes aches in the muscles. The body can rest and recuperate only when a person gets quality sleep. Without it, the muscles will likely ache because of the various activities it performs in a day.
Tips to manage muscle pain
People should perform the following tasks to prevent or get rid of muscle aches from stress, tension, and intense physical activities:
Performing some stretches before exercising.
Exercising daily for toned muscles.
Warming the body and performing a cool-down at the end of every workout session.
Taking breaks for extended periods when needed.
Most causes of aching muscles tend to be benign and can be dealt by getting sufficient rest, painkillers, and a muscle patch. However, in the case of persistent pain, immediate medical attention is highly recommended.
