By Pharmacist, Doreen
Myalgia is the medical term for muscle pain. Myalgia are extremely common. Almost everyone has experienced discomfort in their muscles at some point. Because there’s muscle tissue in nearly all parts of the body, this type of pain can be felt practically anywhere. However, there’s no single cause for muscle aches and pains.
Acute (short-term) causes of myalgia include muscle strains or overuse, infections, and vitamin deficiencies. Chronic (long-term) conditions can also cause muscle pain and soreness. These include fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and depression.
Depending on the underlying condition, myalgia treatment may involve medication, self-treatment, and physical therapy.
Common Causes
Often, people who experience muscle aches can easily pinpoint the cause. This is because most instances of myalgia result from too much stress, tension, or physical activity. Some common causes include:
- muscle tension in one or more areas of the body
- overusing the muscle during physical activity
- Injuring the muscle while engaging in physically demanding work or exercise
- skipping warmups and cool downs
There are some medical conditions which can cause myalgia too. These medical explanations for myalgia include:
- fibromyalgia, especially if aches and pains last longer than 3 months
- chronic fatigue syndrome
- myofascial pain syndrome, which causes inflammation in muscular connective tissues called fascia
- infections, such as the flu, polio, or bacterial infections
- autoimmune disorders, such as lupus, dermatomyositis, and polymyositis
- use of certain medications or drugs, such as statins, ACE inhibitors, or cocaine
- thyroid problems, such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism
- hypokalaemia (low potassium)
Home Remedies for Muscle Aches and pains
Muscle aches and pains often respond well to home treatment.
Many people treat their symptoms following the R.I.C.E. method:
- REST : Rest the affected area and stop the activity that caused the injury
- ICE : Use an ice pack or bag of frozen peas to help relieve pain and reduce swelling. Apply ice to the area for 15-20 minutes three times per day. You should use ice for first 3 days following a strain or sprain, and apply heat for any pain that remains after 3 days.
- COMPRESSION : Use a compression bandage to help reduce swelling
- ELEVATION : if possible, elevate the feet to minimise swelling
Other measures you can take to relieve muscle discomfort from injuries and overuse include:
- Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol
- Gently stretching the muscles
- Avoiding high-impact activities until after the pain goes away
- Avoiding weight lifting sessions until the muscle pain is resolved
- Doing stress-relieving activities and exercises such as yoga and meditation to relieve tension
- Taking some natural supplements to reduce inflammation and pain naturally
Reference:
- What you need to know about muscle aches and pains retrieved fr https://www.healthline.com/health/muscle-aches#_noHeaderPrefixedContent
- What are the causes of unexplained muscle aches? retrieved fr https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322869
- An overview of myalgia retrieved from https://www.verywellhealth.com/myalgia-overview-4584594
