Index
Definition:
Myalgia is defined as muscle pain, is a very common symptom and is part of many disorders and syndromes. Pain can occur anywhere in the body, since muscles are present in all parts of the body.
Pain can develop in the arms, legs, back, neck and shoulders. This varies from dull pain (without being very intense it is insidious or continuous) to severe and unbearable.
Almost all of these pains disappear in a few days, but sometimes they can last for a few months, especially if they are accompanied by joint pain. They are named and classified according to the location where they occur.
Muscular pains are of two main types:
- Sporadic and rapid pain.
- Constant and deep pain.
Most of these pains, regardless of type, tend to disappear on their own. Sometimes, the pain may last for months and be associated with joint pains. It can also be a cause of chronic fatigue in the person.
Types of myalgia
Muscles are present in all parts of the body, so myalgia can occur anywhere in the body.
There are certain types that have been defined depending on the affected parties, and the amount of muscles involved are:
Epidemic myalgia : This type of myalgia is called Bornholm disease. It affects the muscles of the upper part of the abdomen, the causative agent is viral, the pain is always sudden and spasmodic by nature.
It increases with breathing as the muscles of the chest wall move with each breath.
Fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgia affects the joints, muscles and ligaments, and is more widespread in terms of pain. Pain is a dull pain and can be felt all over your back.
Pain has a psychosomatic etiology and is more common in women, it is associated with symptoms such as irritable bowel syndrome, insomnia, osteoarthritis, lupus, etc.
Trapezius myalgia: This type of myalgia affects the muscles of the neck and affects the trapezius muscle. It is long lasting and the pain is increased by repetitive neck movements and stress.
It is more common in women, in addition people who work long hours on the computer keep the neck rigid in one position.
Polymyalgia rheumatica: Polymyalgia rheumatica is basically a type of myalgia that involves many muscles. It is an inflammatory disorder that affects people over 50 years.
Pain is often associated with stiffness, there is also inflammation in the muscles of the neck, shoulders, upper back, arms, hips and buttocks.
Causes of Myalgia
The onset and history of pain can help identify the cause of myalgia, the most common reasons being excessive muscle stretching.
Stress: The muscles have the property of stretching and relaxing, so there can be pain if there is too much tension in the muscles.
Excessive physical activity such as exercise in the gym and lifting weights are common causes. Intense physical work or exercise can also lead to a breakdown of muscle fibers that results in a sudden onset of severe pain.
Infections: Soft tissue infection surrounding the muscle or inflammatory conditions of the joint can cause muscle pain
Fibromyalgia: It is a very common problem these days and it is known to have a psychosomatic origin.
Lack of sleep, stress, fatigue and depression are some of the symptoms that characterize fibromyalgia. It is seen more often in women than in men, to a great extent relieved by physiotherapy and relaxation methods.
Myofascial pain syndrome : It is a chronic pain disorder where pain is felt in certain parts of the body without any other underlying pathology. It is a chronic type of pain disorder, it is best treated with physiotherapy.
Systemic lupus erythematosus : It is an autoimmune disorder that affects the immune system and attacks multiple tissues and organs of the body. In this disease, the immune system attacks the cells of tissues and organs.
It is difficult to diagnose and there is no cure for that. Medications are given to control symptoms and provide relief to the patient.
Polymyositis: It is an inflammatory disease that weakens the muscles of the body. It entails difficulties to perform daily activities, such as climbing stairs, getting up from a sitting posture, holding things with both hands, lifting weights, etc.
There is no cure for muscle paresis (partial absence of voluntary movement) and the pain caused by polio, but recent vaccines have made the disease less common.
It is approaching eradication due to the strict and mandatory vaccination calendar.
Viral infections : Influenza and polio also have effects on the muscles and cause muscle pain.
Metabolic disorders: Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism are metabolic disorders in which the body produces too much or too little thyroid hormone that produces systemic symptoms such as muscle pain and others. The primary treatment is to use synthetic hormones.
Hypokalemia is a low potassium level condition in the body. Potassium is a very important element of the body for good muscular contractions.
It is crucial for cardiac muscles and nerve cells. Patients with potassium less than 2.5 millimoles per liter have typical muscle pain along with other systemic symptoms.
Dermatomyositis: A rare inflammatory disorder with symptoms of muscle pain associated with a rash, it is known to affect both children and adults. The rash may improve with the treatment but there is no cure for the disease.
Chronic fatigue syndrome: It is a complicated disorder characterized by extreme fatigue that is chronic in nature. Fatigue tends to worsen with physical exertion and is not relieved by rest. The cause behind this is not yet known.
Chronic compartment syndrome : This is basically an exercise-induced condition that affects the muscles and nerves.
It leads to pain, inflammation and sometimes disability of the affected muscles. This condition is often seen in athletes.
Claudication: Claudication is described as muscle pain that occurs due to too little blood supply to the body part during exercise.
This condition affects the legs and occasionally the arms as well. Pain appears during exercise and if the condition worsens, it may be present even at rest.
It is a symptom of peripheral arterial disease and is treatable.
Dystonia: Dystonia is a muscular disorder in which the affected muscle group contracts repetitively and involuntarily and causes abrupt involuntary movements.
The condition can vary from mild, moderate to severe. There is no cure for dystonia, but medications and surgery can be used to control the symptoms.
Lyme disease : This is a disease caused by four species of bacteria. . The symptoms resemble the flu and are associated with a rash.
Rheumatoid arthritis : It is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks its own tissues and organs. This arthritis affects the joint and causes inflammation.
The surrounding muscles are also affected and can cause bone erosion or joint deformity.
symptom
Muscle pain is the most common symptom and its typical nature is:
- Deaf or unbearable pain.
- Located in a particular area.
- It lasts a few minutes.
- It can heal spontaneously in a few days.
- Mild or severe in intensity.
- Fatigue and fatigue with a decreased desire to do daily activities.
- Swelling.
- Redness of the affected part.
- Joint pain associated with muscle pain.
- Sensitivity when pressing the affected muscle.
- Fever with chills if there is an associated infection.
- Sensitivity in the muscles.
- Feeling depressed if the pain is chronic by nature.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of muscle pain is difficult, as it is part of many disorders and syndromes.
This is achieved by taking a proper history, the doctor will need to know the following details of the pain:
- Start, when did the pain begin?
- Type of acute or deaf pain.
- Intensity is usually measured on a scale of 1 to 10 to assess severity.
- Extended to other parts of the body: if the pain radiates or spreads to other parts of the body.
- Duration and frequency of pain- How long is an episode of pain? How often does it happen?
- Effect of activity on pain: what activities lead to pain?
In most cases, the story gives a good idea of the cause of the pain. The investigations that may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis and to determine with precision the underlying medical condition are: radiographs, computed tomography and magnetic resonance.
Blood tests are not very important here. The source of the pain could also be a simple flu or a side effect of chemotherapy.
Treatment of Myalgia
Muscle pains respond well to home treatments. Here are some things that will help you:
Rest: Provide adequate rest to affected areas. If the joint is also affected, use a bandage or crepe support to provide stability to the joint and surrounding muscles.
Medications: Analgesics and anti-inflammatory medications can be used to obtain symptomatic relief.
Ice and heat: Applying ice packs and hot water bags helps reduce localized pain and inflammation.
Muscle Stretching: Performing it gently provides pain relief. However, be careful not to apply too much pressure as it can cause excessive stretching of the muscle.
Restriction: Avoid very heavy exercises and intense physical activity until the muscle pain disappears.
Elevating the joint or affected part and providing adequate support also helps reduce pain as the swelling tends to decrease. Acupuncture and alternative therapies such as homeopathy are also very effective in the treatment of muscle pain.
Reduce stress with yoga, meditation and massage. The hot bath or the application of slightly warm water also relieve pain. If the pain does not improve after a few weeks, presents the symptoms that accompany it and is very severe, then you should see the doctor.
Treatment with medications
Antibiotics: If the muscle pain is due to an underlying infection, it is important that you complete the medication treatment and not stop it in half.
Corticosteroids : They are used mainly to reduce inflammation.
Antidepressants : For patients with chronic pain or psychosomatic diseases such as fibromyalgia.
Pain medications: They provide symptomatic relief by blocking pain receptors in the central nervous system. Ibuprofen and naproxen sodium are commonly used to relieve muscle pain.
When to go to the doctor?
In general, muscle pain or myalgia disappears on its own, but if the pain seems to persist, there could be a bigger underlying problem. If you notice the following symptoms along with muscle pain, you should see the doctor immediately:
- Pain does not improve even after trying the above measures.
- Severe muscle pain.
- Rash along with muscle pain.
- Fever and chills with pain.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Inability to move certain parts of the body.
- Weakness and paresis of any of the extremities.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Sudden pain after a change in medication.
Tips to prevent muscle pain – Myalgia
If the myalgia is due to physical activity, you should do stretching exercises before starting to exercise, this helps to prevent muscle strain.
Drink plenty of water. If you have a job where you sit for long hours, you should stretch every few hours to avoid muscle pain.
Do your exercises sparingly and avoid very heavy weight lifting.
