Muscle and Joint Pain

What is Muscle and Joint Pain?

Muscle pain or myalgia is a discomfort experienced in the muscle tissue and can be felt practically anywhere in the body.

Joint pain is a discomfort arising out of any tissues within your joint including ligaments, cartilage, bone, muscles, or tendons.

What are the Causes of Muscle and Joint Pain?

Some of the common causes of muscle and joint pain include:

Muscle and joint overuse
Muscle and joint tension
Muscle and joint injury
Muscle and joint infection
Muscle and joint inflammation
Muscle and joint sprains and strains

What Types of Medical Conditions Can Cause Muscle and Joint Pain?

Some of the common conditions associated with muscle and joint pain include:

Bacterial and viral infections
Autoimmune disorders such as polymyositis, dermatomyositis, or lupus
Use of medications such as ACE inhibitors or statins
Fibromyalgia
Hypokalaemia
Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism
Osteoporosis
Chondromalacia
Gout
Tendinitis
Infectious diseases such as influenza, mumps, or hepatitis
Arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
Lyme disease
Polymyalgia rheumatica

What are the Symptoms Commonly Associated with Muscle and Joint Pain?

Symptoms that can be associated with muscle and joint pain include:

Swelling
Redness
Tenderness
Warm to touch
Persistent pain

How is the Underlying Cause of Your Muscle and Joint Pain Diagnosed?

Your doctor will review your symptoms and medical history and perform a physical examination. If necessary your doctor will order certain diagnostic tests like X-rays to identify arthritis-specific joint damage, blood tests to screen for certain autoimmune diseases, complete blood count, sedimentation rate test to estimate the level of inflammation in the body, and other tests to narrow down the potential causes of muscle and joint pain.

How is Muscle and Joint Pain Treated?

Some of the measures that can be employed to treat muscle and joint pain include:

Using medications such as topical pain relievers and oral anti-inflammatory drugs
Application of heat and ice on the affected area
Adequate resting of the affected area
Strengthening muscle function and maintaining good range of motion with a regular exercise regimen
Maintaining a proper body weight
Engaging in stress-relieving activities such as meditation and yoga
Lifestyle changes

When Should You Consult a Doctor for Muscle and Joint Pain?

Most cases of muscle and joint pain are rarely an emergency and can be successfully treated at home. Nevertheless, some of the signs and symptoms that should prompt you to see your doctor include:

Severe pain without a clear cause
Pain that is accompanied with an elevated temperature
Pain that is accompanied with a rash
Pain that is accompanied with redness or swelling
Pain that does not resolve despite several days of home treatment
Pain that manifests after a tick bite