Body aches can result from tiredness or exercise and commonly occur with infections such as the flu. But, they can also be a symptom of an underlying condition, such as fibromylagia, arthritis, or lupus.
Rest and elevate the painful area. Alternate between ice packs to reduce inflammation and heat to improve blood flow. Soak in a warm bath with Epsom salts or take a warm shower. Take over-the-counter pain relievers (aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen).
If you have body aches but no fever, it's likely that muscle overuse is to blame. You can avoid muscle aches by gradually increasing the intensity of your workouts. Stretching before and after exercise and drinking plenty of water is also helpful. You may need to rest or have reduced activity for 1 to 2 days.
Muscle pain that is felt throughout your whole body is most often caused by an infection, such as the flu. Other causes include more-serious conditions, such as some diseases or health conditions that affect the muscles. Muscle pain also may be a side effect of certain medicines.
Sometimes body aches and pains require emergency care. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you're experiencing body aches and pains accompanied by shortness of breath, trouble swallowing, vomiting, a high fever, loss of consciousness, a stiff neck, or an inability to move.
Polymyositis and dermatomyositis are the most common. Depending on the type, other symptoms can include: painful or aching muscles.
Aches and pains after a night's rest can be due to a variety of reasons, including an old mattress, a heavy workout the previous day, or even a recent injury. If that's the case, there may not be much you can do to change the morning aches. However, there could be other underlying health reasons you're unaware of, too!
Green, black and white teas are all rich in polyphenols – compounds from plants that have strong anti-inflammatory effects. You'll find the highest polyphenol levels in green and white teas.
Many foods have been shown to reduce inflammation and can help ease pain, stiffness, and achiness. Top anti-inflammatory foods to add into your diet include high quality fish, eggs, leafy green vegetables, fruits, and nuts, seeds, and olive oil.
Medications such as Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, and ibuprofen are great and the fastest way to get rid of body aches.
Aches and pains in our bones, joints, and muscles may be caused by everyday wear and tear, overuse, or aging. This pain can also be the result of injury or illness. No matter the cause, the pain medicine experts at Weill Cornell Medicine can help alleviate pain and improve quality of life.
Stress can cause your muscles to tense up — and over time, that can lead to pain and soreness in virtually any part of the body. The most common stress-related aches and pains are in the neck, back, and shoulders.
It is caused by factors that can include stress from significant life events, or changes to your sleep schedule. Or it could be secondary insomnia, which is linked to health conditions like mental health issues, other sleep disorders, illness, or pain — and it can be acute or chronic.
This could be a viral syndrome, heatstroke or heat exhaustion, post-heavy exercise, or electrolyte abnormalities like low calcium or low potassium.
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and Naproxen (Aleve).
Its anti-inflammatory properties are better for muscle soreness and body aches that typically stem from inflammation.
Currently, there are no specific laboratory or imaging tests for fibromyalgia. The main symptoms—pain and fatigue—are shared with many other conditions, so doctors typically try to rule out other causes for your symptoms. Doctors may do the following to diagnose fibromyalgia: Take your medical history.
Several rheumatic diseases can mimic fibromyalgia. These include sero-negative rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Lyme disease, polymyalgia rheumatica and lupus. They have symptoms of widespread pain along with joint involvement. Most rheumatic diseases are treated with medication and physical therapy.
Myositis (my-o-SY-tis) is a rare type of autoimmune disease that inflames and weakens muscle fibers. Autoimmune diseases occur when the body's own immune system attacks itself. In the case of myositis, the immune system attacks healthy muscle tissue, which results in inflammation, swelling, pain, and eventual weakness.
Get medical care right away or go to the emergency room if you have muscle pain with: Trouble breathing or dizziness. Extreme muscle weakness with problems doing routine daily activities. A high fever and stiff neck.
Autoimmune disorders that specifically affect the muscles, joints, and nerves include rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Polymyalgia rheumatica, which also involves the joints, is thought to be an autoimmune condition, according to the Arthritis Foundation.
Lupus can also cause inflammation in the joints, which doctors call “inflammatory arthritis.” It can make your joints hurt and feel stiff, tender, warm, and swollen. Lupus arthritis most often affects joints that are farther from the middle of your body, like your fingers, wrists, elbows, knees, ankles, and toes.