Muscle Pains and Aches
Muscle ache or myalgia isn’t uncommon. Nearly everyone has experienced some muscle discomfort at one point or another. Since muscle tissues practically surround the body, it’s possible to experience pain from nearly anywhere. Furthermore, there isn’t a single cause that results in these aches. Injury and overuse are typical reasons for muscle pain, and many other explanations exist for the discomfort.
Some causes of myalgia are infections like influenza or flu, autoimmune disorders like dermatomyositis and lupus, hypokalemia, and thyroid problems. Medication can also cause it, such as ACE inhibitors and statins. Generally, home treatment like resting the affected areas or taking medication like Advil can alleviate some muscle pains. Ice or cold compress can be effective for one to three days for sprains and strains. However, use heat for pain that persists after.
Most of the time, muscle aches are relatively harmless. However, there are instances where more than treating it at home is needed. In these cases, myalgia could be an indicator of a more severe condition. For this reason, it’s advisable to see a doctor if the pain persists for days, the pain’s severity increases, aches occur with rashes or swelling, or a fever accompanies it.
