Treatment For Muscle Pain Symptoms

By Dorthy Swanson


Muscle pain is also known by the name myalgia. It refers to pain that is felt in the muscles. These pains are very common, with almost everybody having experienced them at some point of their life. The body is made of muscles in almost every part. As a result, these pains can be felt in almost any part of the body. Muscle pain symptoms may vary with the location where the aching occurs.

People experiencing these pains can often tell the cause easily. This is because, in most cases, myalgia is caused by excessive physical activity, tension, or stress. Muscle tension may occur in a single part of the body or in multiple parts. During physical exercise, people also tend to overuse their muscles, which leads to aching. Injury is also a common cause of myalgia.

Stress, tension, and physical activity are not responsible for all cases of myalgia. Myalgia may sometimes be caused by medical reasons. Some of these medical causes include infections, use of given drugs and/or medications, hypokalemia, fibromyalgia, autoimmune disorder, and thyroid problems. Low body potassium content results in hypokalemia. Cocaine, statins, and ACE inhibitors are among the major drugs and medications that may cause this problem.

Certain infections also cause myalgia in patients. Some of these infections include bacterial infections, polio, and flu. Examples of autoimmune disorders associated with myalgia include polymyositis, derematomyositis, and lupus. Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are examples of thyroid problems that may cause myalgia. Depending on the cause, the aching may go away after a few days or may last for several months. In some cases, one may need to seek medical attention from a doctor for the condition to get better.

In case this problem starts when one is at home, there are certain home remedies that can be used to ease the pain. The pains often respond well to these remedies in most cases. First, one should try to rest the area where the aching is being felt. This can be done by lying down or sitting. Secondly, one can take over-the-counter pain medication such as paracetamol and ibuprofen. Inflammation and aching can also be reduced by applying ice on the affected area.

The muscle that is paining can be stretched gently to ease the problem. One may also use any suitable ointment to rub the muscles in a gentle manner. Weightlifting and other high-impact activities should be avoided for as long as there is still an ache in the body. Meditation, yoga and similar stress-relieving exercises may be helpful too.

There is a limit to the use of home remedies beyond which one should see a doctor about the problem. Persistent myalgia could be suggestive of a more serious underlying medical condition. One should see a doctor if the pain lasts for more than a few days even after applying home remedy.

Additionally, one should see a doctor if the paining is severe and the cause is not clear. Myalgia that is accompanied by a rash, swelling, elevated body temperature, or redness around the area also need to be checked by a doctor. Myalgia should be treated as a medical emergency if it causes difficulty swallowing, weakness, immobility in the area, and difficulty breathing.




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