Dorothy FarrarMuscle pain all over the body
Muscle pain can occur all over the body and, depending on the severity, can be extremely uncomfortable. Various causes must always be considered, only some of which can be considered pathogenic. The majority of cases turn out to be harmless and, accordingly, do not require treatment.
What is muscle pain all over the body?
Muscle pain all over the body can have different characteristics. The vast majority of sufferers describe their pain as stabbing or throbbing. It can occur both during and after direct stress on the body. Although muscle pain can affect the whole body, it usually only affects a few areas at a time.
For example, patients complain B. about particularly severe pain in the neck , legs or arms . The most affected part of the body can also change. In particular, when there is tension, there can also be a general pain that affects the whole body at the same time. However, this is usually less intensive, so that the functionality in everyday life remains secured.
The pain often impairs mobility. However, this is not mandatory, since the perception of pain is extremely subjective and individual. Everyone affected perceives the pain differently. Depending on the intensity and duration of the pain, however, various causes must be considered, which is why the perception of pain should not be underestimated.
causes
Muscle pain can be traced back to a variety of triggers. A distinction must be made between physical causes, referred to as somatic in the medical world, and non-physical causes. Non-physical causes are mostly psychological. They are referred to as psychosomatoses and can be a manifestation of an underlying mental illness. Somatic muscle pain can be due to overexertion or sport as well as signs of fatigue or wear and tear. Deficiency symptoms are also a potential cause.Tension is one of the most common somatic causes that cause muscle pain all over the body. They are referred to as myogelosis in medical literature and practice . They occur more often on the neck, shoulders and spine . Tensions are also possible in other parts of the body. Myogelosis is usually triggered by stress, one-sided or incorrect movements or other incorrect postures. But external factors such as the wrong mattress can also lead to tension.
Muscle injuries can also cause pain. An accurate diagnosis is important here, as the pain varies depending on the injury. The most common muscle injuries include muscle fiber tears, muscle strains or overstretching. In theory, it is also conceivable that the muscle pain all over the body is triggered by serious illnesses. For example, multiple sclerosis (MS) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are conceivable, especially in the case of massive and persistent pain. However, this is very rare. In addition, there are other symptoms such as a pronounced and uncontrolled muscle twitching .
More often, however, muscle pain is caused by deficiency symptoms. In particular, a long-term lack of magnesium or vitamins can lead to muscle pain. These are conceivable anywhere on the body because they are the result of a general undersupply.
Fibromyalgia syndrome can also be a potential cause of muscle pain. This term is used to describe muscle-fibre pain that is particularly intense in the tendons and muscles. The joints in particular can be affected. It is typical that the pain appears over a large area and in different places. Tenderness to pressure is also common. Psychosomatoses often turn out to be the result of anxiety, depression, stress or burnout.
Diseases
- Psychosomatosen
- overstretching
- Amyothrophe Lateralsklerose (ALS)
When to the doctor?
In many cases, muscle pain all over the body is not a cause for concern. The pain often occurs after intensive endurance training or the practice of sports that address a large number of muscles. For some people, the pain comes on after a long, devoted, and passionate sexual experience. I should rest the affected person for a few days and drink enough fluids. Gentle stretching exercises and light movements also help to relieve the discomfort.
People who have been bedridden for several weeks or months often experience muscle pain as soon as they are able to move around again. Muscle building leads to pain, so this should be approached slowly. A doctor’s visit is necessary when the muscle pain occurs all over the body without an obvious reason. Pain that is particularly severe or symptoms that occur spontaneously should be examined by a doctor immediately.
If the muscle pain affects your lifestyle or restricts your movement due to movement pain , which causes the body to have a bad posture, you should also consult a doctor. Muscle pain that occurs at regular intervals should be examined more closely. This can hide diseases that need to be treated. Since the muscle pain all over the body can indicate a psychosomatic reaction, the person concerned should consult a doctor if it lasts longer than a week.
diagnosis and course
The disease that causes muscle pain can be diagnosed in a variety of ways. Due to the large number of causes to be considered, it can take some time before a really reliable and exact diagnosis is made. It is also advisable to obtain several opinions in order to check a diagnosis for its resilience. At the beginning of the diagnosis there is usually a comprehensive survey. In this way, the doctor attempts to comprehensively research the facts to be assessed.
The type, duration and severity of the pain are important starting points for initiating further physical examinations. Common diagnostic measures for muscle pain throughout the body include musculoskeletal tests, palpation, tests for tenderness, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) . Tissue samples (biopsies), blood and urine tests can also be indicated.
complications
Muscle pain all over the body makes every movement uncomfortable and painful. The affected person automatically adopts a protective behavior that leads to mental and social conflicts. General life satisfaction is greatly reduced. The daily routine has to be restructured and an occupational disability is possible. This triggers mood swings and often interpersonal problems. Taking pain medication increases the risk of addiction. In addition, side effects such as problems with the mucous membranes in the stomach or intestines often occur.
Muscle pain all over the body leads to a change in the movement sequences. The skeletal system is under a lot of stress and can cause bone pain or deformities. Muscle pain can be due to circulatory disorders or a deficiency in the body. These lead to further failures of various systems. Impaired consciousness, changes in vision or hearing, and sensory disturbances in the skin are possible. In addition, nail or hair problems arise. The muscle pain all over the body can occur due to psychosomatic complaints. Research into the cause is usually very lengthy and extensive. In many cases, the underlying problems cannot be cured, but must be cognitively re-recorded and processed. If the person concerned is overburdened, their lifestyle and professional orientation must be restructured. This has immense effects on the family and the close social environment.
treatment and therapy
The therapy for muscle pain depends on the trigger. In general, however, drug, surgical and physiotherapeutic or physiotherapeutic forms of treatment can be considered. Drug treatment is usually carried out with pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory agents such as ibuprofen and diclofenac . These can be applied in the form of ointments or taken as film-coated tablets.
Physiotherapy and physiotherapy are a very effective form of treatment, especially for tension. These can also be used preventively. The patient should be taught an appropriate posture that prevents the occurrence of further tension. Medical massages can also be used to relax muscles. Heat pads are often used for this purpose.
In the case of incurable chronic diseases such as fibromyalgia, only symptomatic treatment can be considered. Various approaches (e.g. medication, relaxation methods and physiotherapy) are combined for this purpose. Especially low-dose antidepressants can cause pain-relieving effects because of their effect on the neurotransmitters in the brain.
outlook and prognosis
Muscle pain all over the body can have very different causes. It is therefore not possible to predict a uniform course of the disease. The most common reason for muscle pain is muscle overload . The damage can spread through the muscle tracts in the body and cause an increase in symptoms in the short term. Physical activities that cause muscle overstrain usually heal within a few days. For this, the affected regions must be spared and the affected person needs sufficient rest.
If the muscle fibers have been damaged by an accident or illness, full recovery is difficult. In a surgical procedure, the damage is repaired with good chances of recovery. Within a few months, the symptoms usually disappear because the muscle fibers have grown together again and are fully functional. In the case of irreparable damage, on the other hand, lifelong impairments are to be expected. Targeted therapies, special exercises or training of the muscles can alleviate the symptoms. Nevertheless, despite all efforts, complete freedom from symptoms is often not possible without regular medical care.
prevention
Muscle pain all over the body can be prevented if the cause of the pain falls within the sphere of those affected. Because then it is up to the patient to adapt their own lifestyle. The causes that can be prevented include tension and deficiency symptoms. The latter can be prevented above all by eating a balanced diet .Tension can be prevented through a healthy posture, sufficient exercise and ergonomic mattresses and furniture. When exercising, make sure you take enough breaks to avoid muscle injuries. Otherwise, the muscle pain can only be triggered by the sport (sports injury).
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.