{"id":4172,"date":"2019-02-20T10:28:06","date_gmt":"2019-02-20T10:28:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=4172"},"modified":"2021-05-27T16:22:54","modified_gmt":"2021-05-27T16:22:54","slug":"15-causes-of-myalgia-that-you-should-be-aware-of","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/15-causes-of-myalgia-that-you-should-be-aware-of\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Causes of Myalgia that you should be aware of"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Myalgia is simply known as \u2018muscle pain\u2019 and can be a symptom of many different diseases and disorders. That is to say that myalgia is not in itself <\/em>a disease or condition, and also that it can be attached to a huge <\/em>number of different conditions and problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This makes myalgia rather hard to diagnose and identify. Is this a sign of something more serious? Or is it just a bit of harmless achiness?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important that you do identify the cause though, as when you do, you will be better poised to try and find out precisely what might have caused it and to, therefore, accelerate your recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Infection<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most common reasons for aching muscles is infection. This could be a cold, a flu, or something much more serious such as a viral or bacterial infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Often, when we are getting a cold or flu, achiness is one of the things we notice earliest. This might be accompanied by some other early symptoms such as tiredness<\/a>, or such as sniffling in the nose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So why does being unwell cause muscle pain? The answer likely has to do with \u2018pro-inflammatory cytokines\u2019. These are molecules produced by the body that \u2013 as the name might suggest \u2013 encourage inflammation in the body in a bid to try and \u2018drive out\u2019 the infections that cause pain and discomfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These pro-inflammatory cytokines aim to make the body a less hospitable place for the bacteria, but in doing so will also cause us discomfort. In fact, most of the symptoms we associate with a range of illnesses are not caused directly by the bugs themselves \u2013 but by the body trying to get rid of them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Fibromyalgia<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fibromyalgia <\/a>is a condition that can cause myalgia \u2013 the clue is in the name! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a chronic condition that can be debilitating in numerous ways for people who suffer from it. Not only does fibromyalgia cause muscle pain, but it can also lead to tiredness, joint pain, and depression. This essentially makes it into a truly unpleasant combination of arthritis and depression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another symptom of pro-inflammatory cytokines is that they can cause a fogginess in the head \u2013 which comes as a result of inflammation in the brain itself. This may also lead to tiredness and could be designed to prevent us from being overly active when we are meant to be resting and recovering. Have you ever wondered why you don\u2019t feel like doing anything when you have a cold? Why you struggle to concentrate on anything requiring brainpower? Now you know!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are theories currently that suggest that pro-inflammatory cytokines are actually the cause of some forms of depression. And thus it is possible that fibromyalgia is caused by a similar form of inflammation throughout the body affecting both the brain and <\/em>the joints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. DOMS<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

DOMS <\/a>is what we know as \u2018delayed onset muscle soreness\u2019. This is the specific type of muscle pain that you experience after lifting heavyweights in the gym. This is not caused by an injury, but simply the act of exerting yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is a lot of debate in the literature as to the nature of DOMS. Some people believe that DOMS is necessary in order for muscle growth to occur. Other people believe it is neither necessary nor desirable. Then there are theories about what causes DOMS. While some say it is the build-up of metabolites, others suggest that DOMS is caused by inflammation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One way to reduce DOMS is to focus on exercises that involve no eccentric movement \u2013 only concentric. In other words, this means using an exercise that involves only shortening and not lengthening the muscle. That prevents the tiny microtears which may play an important role in hypertrophy, but certainly, play a big role in inflammation and muscle pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Muscle Tear<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the challenges for someone new to the gym, is to identify the difference between positive muscle pain and negative muscle pain. In other words, while DOMS is likely part and parcel of a workout<\/a>, a muscle tear is very different and should certainly be avoided. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Small muscle tears called \u2018microtears\u2019 will always occur during training, but it is when these become too numerous that you end up with macroscopic damage \u2013 large physical gaps in the muscle where it has been torn apart, and that leaves you in a lot of pain until healed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are numerous things you can do to try and prevent muscle tear. One of them is to make sure that you warm up properly prior to training, which will help to limber you up and make the muscles more elastic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Impact<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s very easy to assume that any muscle pain is going to be a symptom of something more complicated and serious. However, in some cases, muscle pain can just be a result of the impact. In other words, if you have bruised your muscle during sports, or due to a trip or fall, then, of course, this can cause pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will bruise your muscle if you cause damage to a blood vessel<\/a>, and this then causes blood to spill out into the muscle at large, causing pain and inflammation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While bruises are normally nothing to worry about, you should speak with a doctor if you notice lots of bruises occurring for seemingly no reason, and if the bruises don\u2019t seem to go away. This can be caused by a lack of blood clotting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Chronic fatigue syndrome<\/a> is a condition that causes general tiredness and lethargy, and that has no obvious cause. CFS is closely related to ME but is distinct in a number of ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In either case, the individual will feel withdrawn, often depressed, and ultimately extremely tired. This can extend to a tiredness and an achiness in the muscles and could once again be caused by an excess of inflammation throughout the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then again, it is also possible that CFS is related to overtraining. Overtraining is also known as adrenal fatigue and occurs when you have been highly stressed (physically or mentally) for too long. That, in turn, can lead to the adrenal glands essentially \u2018running out\u2019 of stimulatory neurotransmitters, and thereby causing you to become tired and achy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Stress<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While you might not be over-trained, high levels of stress can have the precise same result. And in fact, this condition is sometimes called 21st-century syndrome owing to the number of exhausting activities we are involved in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other potential explanations involve an imbalance of neurotransmitters <\/a>(these can sometimes alter mood as well <\/em>as energy levels and muscle control \u2013 as is the case with acetylcholine) or even gut bacteria. There seems to be a close link between CFS and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) which might be to do with the role of gut bacteria in producing important chemicals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, stress can also cause tension throughout the muscles. This chronic tension can even occur at night when we sleep meaning that we wouldn\u2019t necessarily notice it. The result is that the muscles feel exhausted and painful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Side Effects\/Withdrawal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One last thing to consider is that a number of different medications can cause muscle pain as a side effect. This is also true of many withdrawal symptoms \u2013 so if you stop using some kind of drug that you have become dependent on, then this can be just as likely to lead to myalgia among other things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even some supplements and less strong medications can have these issues. For instance, many sleeping aids will work by altering levels of inhibitory neurotransmitters such as GABBA and melatonin. These not only reduce activity in the brain but also cause a relaxation of the muscles<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other stimulatory substances can have the opposite effect, essentially increasing tension throughout the body and activity in the brain. This can cause the chronic tension that we\u2019ve already seen might lead to myalgia and general muscle pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speak with your GP if you suspect that drugs could be causing your muscle discomfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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