Muscle Aches – How to Get Rid of Muscle Aches
Whether you have been injured, or if you are just getting back into the swing of things, you may be experiencing muscle aches. Fortunately, you don’t have to suffer in silence. There are many ways to treat muscle aches, from topical lotions and gels to prescription medications. Using a combination of these methods can help you get back to feeling good, fast.
Pain
Almost everyone experiences aching muscles from time to time. Some aches are caused by strain or injury, while others are a result of infection or illness.
Depending on the cause of the pain, treatment can vary. Resting the affected body part can help relieve it. However, severe muscle pain may need medical attention.
Muscle pain can be a sign of serious illness. It is usually caused by overuse, injury, or infection. In some cases, muscle pain can be a symptom of a systemic disease, such as lupus.
Acute muscle pain can be mild, but in some cases, it can be debilitating. If the pain persists for more than three days, it should be addressed by a doctor. A doctor can prescribe pain relief medication and recommend treatments. In some cases, imaging tests may be required to diagnose muscle injury.
Depending on the cause of the muscle pain, treatment may include massage, heat therapy, ice, or over-the-counter pain medications. Some people also try complementary therapies, such as meditation, acupuncture, and massage.
Whether you are experiencing muscle pain or just want to know more about it, this article will provide you with an overview of the different types. It is not meant to be a comprehensive guide to all the knowledge about muscle pain.
If you are experiencing muscle pain, it is important to take action right away. Depending on the severity of the pain, your doctor may recommend surgery, rest, or other treatments. A pain diary can help you describe your symptoms to your doctor.
When muscle pain is caused by an infection, you may experience aching all over your body. This is more likely to be the case when the infection is not localized to one area of your body.
Delayed-onset muscle soreness
Often, a new workout is accompanied by delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), which is a painful and debilitating symptom that can last for days. Although this symptom is a sign of a good workout, it can also be a deterrent to starting an exercise routine.
Delayed-onset muscle soreness is most likely to occur during the first two weeks of your workout routine. This is because your body is adjusting to the stimulus. For example, it is important to increase the intensity of your workouts gradually to avoid overuse injuries. It is also important to increase the volume of your workouts since this will prevent muscle atrophy.
In addition to the common signs and symptoms, it is important to recognize the difference between soreness and pain. DOMS may be caused by an increased volume, increased intensity, or a heightened pain threshold.
A number of studies have investigated the cause and effect of DOMS, but its origins remain unclear. Some researchers believe that DOMS may be caused by the excessive production of reactive oxygen species, which can irritate muscles when they are released.
Another theory is that DOMS is caused by increased production of creatine kinase in the blood. Creatine kinase is a byproduct of muscle metabolism, and it can be an indicator of muscle damage.
Other researchers believe that it may be caused by dehydration, an insufficient supply of carbohydrates, or tight muscles. Regardless of the cause, it is important to drink water to ensure that your muscles receive oxygenated blood.
Although there is no known cure for DOMS, incorporating eccentric exercise into your workout will help alleviate the symptom. Eccentric exercises involve contracting a muscle while lengthening it. Examples include squats, bicep curls and calf raises.
Injury
Whether it’s a minor injury or an underlying health condition, muscle pain can be extremely annoying. In fact, it can affect your ability to do even simple things like lift a glass of water, eat or even go to the bathroom.
While there are many reasons why muscle pain occurs, the most common reason is due to overuse. This is also called “overuse injury,” and can degrade tissues and joints.
Another common cause of muscle pain is a strain or sprain. A strain occurs when a muscle or tendon is torn, usually due to a sudden change in momentum. This type of injury can cause significant pain, swelling, and bruising.
Muscle pain may also be caused by infections, such as viral infections. These infections can cause fever, swollen lymph nodes, and muscle pain.
Another common cause of muscle pain is poor circulation. This can cause a red, purple, or blue color to the skin. A good circulation system helps keep the body warm and allows for a proper flow of blood to the injured area.
The best way to avoid an injury is to be careful when performing activities. For example, if you’re gardening or playing tennis, it’s important to avoid bending over and stretching your back too much.
In addition to taking the proper precautions, there are some home remedies for relieving pain and swelling caused by muscle aches. These include using an ice pack to reduce swelling and applying an elastic bandage to reduce bruising.
It’s also important to rest the injured area. Rest plays a crucial role in muscle recovery. A few days off can prevent soreness and help you avoid repeating the injury.
Arthritis
Getting diagnosed with arthritis is important. It’s also important to understand how to manage your symptoms. The good news is that there are treatments and medications available.
The best way to get a handle on your condition is to ask your doctor. Depending on the type of arthritis you have, your doctor may recommend anti-inflammatory drugs, a good diet, exercise, and self-help techniques. You may also need surgery.
For the most part, arthritis pain is temporary. You can ease the pain by stretching and warming up. Also, you should stay hydrated. Some people also like to use ice packs to reduce pain and numb the affected area.
Your doctor may perform laboratory tests to confirm the type of arthritis you have. These tests may include X-rays, blood tests, or urine tests. These tests may rule out other diseases with similar symptoms.
Your doctor may suggest over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen, to relieve your pain. These medications offer temporary relief from pain, but they may also cause undesirable side effects.
You may also be referred to a physiatrist, a physician who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Your doctor may also prescribe special support for your feet or a physical therapy regimen to help you maintain your mobility.
Your doctor may also recommend medications to reduce swelling. These include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are available over the counter or by prescription. Anti-inflammatories may also be used to control fever.
The Arthritis Foundation has some good resources on arthritis, including an online e-book, a brochure, and a pamphlet. It’s also important to know that you don’t have to pay to find out more about arthritis.
Multiple sclerosis
Symptoms of MS can include muscle aches, spasms, difficulty walking, double vision, vertigo, and tremor. It can affect your daily activities and cause frustration, anger, and emotional distress. You may need to try a number of different therapies.
MS is an autoimmune disease, which means that your immune system is attacking your body’s tissues. In MS, the immune system attacks the myelin sheath, which protects nerve fibers in the central nervous system (CNS).
If your nerve fibers are damaged, they may not be able to send messages correctly. This can lead to pain or even dangerous messages.
Inflammation in the optic nerve can cause optic neuritis, which is the most common symptom of MS. An eye exam can help determine the extent of inflammation. The inflammation can cause a sudden, sharp pain behind the eye.
If you have MS, you may also experience problems with your bladder and bowel function. These symptoms aren’t always related to MS, but they can be affected by your medications.
Symptoms can be hard to describe and may not be noticeable to others. Pain can be a frustrating symptom, but there are ways to manage it.
It’s important to describe the pain in detail to your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe drugs to ease spasms. A physical therapist can help you with overuse injuries. Massage, tai chi, and yoga can also help.
Keeping a daily diary can help you identify triggers for your symptoms. Your doctor may also prescribe a variety of drugs, including anti-seizure medications, muscle relaxers, and Botox shots.
Your GP may also recommend an online CBT program. This is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help you think differently and respond differently to problems.
Health Sources:
Health A to Z. (n.d.). HSE.ie. https://www2.hse.ie/az/
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Directory Health Topics. (n.d.). https://www.healthline.com/directory/topics
Health A-Z. (2022, April 26). Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/health-a-z-4014770
Harvard Health. (2015, November 17). Health A to Z. https://www.health.harvard.edu/health-a-to-z
Health Conditions A-Z Sitemap. (n.d.). EverydayHealth.com. https://www.everydayhealth.com/conditions/
