Introduction to Muscle Aches?

Do you have Muscle Aches?

It is likely that at one time or another you have handled muscle aches. You know that pesky sensation that truly makes you aware of how significant, and how often you use that aching muscle is in everyday life. It�s parallel to injuring one of your fingers, in that you did not realize how integral that one digit was until you were made to live without it. A number of factors can cause aching muscles. They can be separated into the following 3 categories: - Muscle aches caused from overuse - Muscle aches caused from illness, disease, or disorders - Muscle aches caused from medications Muscle aches caused by overuse. Muscle aches are most commonly caused by strenuous physical activity. Maybe you simply pushed yourself too hard at the gym, moved some furniture around, or played a game of twister. If you just overused a muscle the pain should diminish in a few days. This muscle pain is also called as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), because the aching comes on 24-72 hours after the physical activity. These aches usually manifest themselves in a single, or a few specific muscles. It is easy to locate the cause of bicep pain if you upped your dumbbell weight at the gym a few days before, or the particular quadriceps, hamstring, and gluteal pain from a long set of squats and lunges. The precise cause of DOMS is still not certain, but two main theories reign. The first theory is that lactic acid buildup in the muscles causes the soreness. The second, and newer theory, is that the pain is caused by the muscle actually repairing itself. Many think that overstrain causes tiny tears in the muscle fibers. Fluid then goes into the tears and causes the muscle cells to swell thus causing the pain. The treatment for this muscle pain is the same no matter which theory you believe: - Relaxation and rest - Warming up and stretching before you exercise, and cooling down afterwards - A good night�s sleep - Ibuprofen (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) - Alternating between hot and cold treatments directly to the muscle - Drinking lots of fluids This type of muscle ache should go away in the course of 3-5 days. If the muscle pain continues it could be a signal that there is a larger problem, and could require medical attention. The more serious condition could be a strain, sprain, torn muscle, or dislocated disk or joint. If you think that your muscle pain could be more serious than simple overuse you should contact your doctor right away. Muscle aches caused from illness, disease, or disorders. If you have muscle pain with no obvious cause it could be caused by a medical problem. You should inform a doctor immediately if your muscle pain remains beyond 3-5 days, it all of a sudden becomes sharp and severe, if you spot a rash or any sign of infection around the sore muscle, or if you become nauseous, start vomiting or experience a stiff neck or high fever. General muscle aches could only be a side effect of having the flu, or may be indicators of a more serious medical condition. Muscle aches may be a symptom caused from: - Infections, such as: Influenza, an abscess in the muscle, Lyme disease, Trichinosis, Malaria, Polio, Rocky Mountain spotted fever - Fibromyalgia - Arthritis - Thyroid disorders - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Dermatomyositis - Polymyositis - Polymyositis rheumatica - Lupus - Diabetes - Circulatory disorders - Electrolyte imbalances These are just a sample of the several conditions that could cause muscle aches. Your doctor can decide the proper treatment to deal with these conditions. Muscle aches caused from medications. It is also possible that your muscle aches may be a side effect of some medications. If the aches commence shortly after starting, or modifying a medication regimen, you should contact your doctor to ask if it may be a side effect of your medication. The most common types of medications that can cause muscle aches are statins for lowering cholesterol, and ACE inhibitors for lowering blood pressure. It is also possible that you may feel muscle pain after getting a vaccination.

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