People usually experience body aches in various areas. These differ in frequency and intensity. While most people experience these pains due to exercise or tiredness, there is also a possibility that body aches are due to an underlying condition.
Most body aches are also harmless. However, it is best to determine what causes them and know when to consult a doctor.
1. When your entire body is aching
People usually experience muscle pain in one area of their body because of overuse. Sometimes a person has sore arms due to lifting a heavy object. A minor injury like a bruised shoulder can also cause muscle pain. But it is different when you’re aching all over. The most common reason why a person is aching all over is due to illness, infection, or medicine they’ve taken.
2. Rheumatoid arthritis
This health condition is a chronic, progressive, autoimmune disease that primarily affects the joints. Aside from inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis often includes joint pain and swelling. It may affect other parts of the body as well.
Usually, rheumatoid arthritis affects the feet and hands first. However, it can happen in any joint. Medication can help with its symptoms. For instance, you can apply medications like turmeric cream for pain, which can potentially relieve some issues.
Unfortunately, there’s still no cure for this chronic illness. In worse cases, you might have to undergo surgery to repair a joint damaged by rheumatoid arthritis.
3. Flu or other infections
Your muscles might ache due to a flu virus. Aside from muscle ache, it usually includes congestion and fever. Every year, around 200,000 Americans are hospitalized due to this health condition. A flu virus usually gets better within a week, but you should seek medical attention when it prolongs.
Besides the flu, you can also experience body aches with other infections, including HIV and COVID-19. If your flu includes a cough that doesn’t get better, consult your doctor immediately.
4. Certain medications
Some medications cause body aches. Take statins as an example. Statins are medications that help control cholesterol in the body. It reduces the production of low-density lipoprotein in the liver, also known as bad cholesterol.
The problem is that a significant number of people who consume these medications complain that statins are giving them muscle pain. If you experience the same thing, stop using them and consult your doctor immediately.
5. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
According to a 2015 study, 836,000 to 2.5 million Americans have chronic fatigue syndrome. Fatigue or extreme tiredness is the main indication of this condition, which can worsen with mental strain or exercise. Aside from extreme tiredness, it can also cause memory problems, muscle pain, joint pain, and sore throat. Difficulty sleeping and headaches are also common for people with this condition.
Unfortunately, rest can’t make a person with chronic fatigue syndrome feel any better. There’s still no cure for this illness, but physical therapy and medication help relieve its symptoms.
Conclusion
To sum it up, there are many possible reasons why body aches occur. Knowing these reasons can help you determine the best treatments and discern when to ask a doctor for help.
