Myalgia - Causes, Symptoms, Investigation and Management

What Is Myalgia?

Myalgia is a pain in a muscle or a group of muscles. Aches and pains in the muscles are very prevalent. Ligaments, tendons, and fascia can all be involved in muscle pain.

What Is a Fascia?

The soft tissues connect muscles, bones, and organs is known as fascia.

What Are the Causes of Myalgia?

• Tension, overuse, or muscular injury from exercise or strenuous physical activity.

• The activity that is generating the pain is frequently obvious.

• Variety of diseases (including the flu) and connective tissue disorders (such as lupus).

• Fibromyalgia, a disorder that causes discomfort in your muscles and surrounding soft tissue, as well as sleep problems, exhaustion, and headaches, is one of the most prevalent causes of muscle aches and pain.

• Drugs such as Angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, cocaine, and statins.

• Dermatomyositis.

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• Polymyalgia rheumatica, polymyositis, and rhabdomyolysis.

Site: The pain is usually localized.

Onset and duration: Begins during or shortly after the exercise.

What Are the Symptoms of Myalgia?

Joint pain: Pain or discomfort in the joints of hands, feet, hips, knees, or spine. Pain may be constant or intermittent.

Muscle cramps: Muscle contractions. Also called muscle spasms or Charley horses. Usually, heal by itself without ant treatment.

Muscle spasm: Painful muscle contractions and tightening of muscles. Muscle relaxants, stretching, and massage can help to relieve symptoms.

Do We Have Any Investigations to Diagnose Myalgia?

Usually, myalgia can be diagnosed with a proper clinical evaluation.

There are few investigations to confirm the diagnosis of myalgia. Such as:

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scan: to identify the presence of any muscle injury

Electromyography: To study the damage to nerves and muscles

Muscle biopsy: To study the presence of neuromuscular diseases.

What Are the Home Care Remedies for Myalgia?

• Application of ice pack to the injured area to reduce pain and inflammation for the first 24 to 72 hours.

• Massage and gentle stretching exercises.

• Regular exercises like stretching, toning, and aerobic exercises.

• Proper sleep to reduce stress.

• Yoga and meditation.

• Take a warm bath with Epsom salts or a warm shower to relax.

What Are the Medical Treatments for Myalgia?

A medical consult is necessary if you have chest pain, fever, loss of bladder control, muscle weakness, worsening pain, and numbness or tingling in limbs. Pain relievers such as Aspirin, Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, and Naproxen can help in temporary pain relief.

When Should You Consult a Physician?

1. Muscle pain for more than 3 days.

2. Severe pain and when the cause is unknown.

3. When there is no sign of infection.

4. Symptoms for poor circulation.

5. Rashes or insect bite

6. Pain after changing medication

Conclusion:

Muscle pain is very common, almost everyone suffers from this nowadays. Though it seems to be normal, when left untreated it can affect even our daily routine. This can lead to a very big discomfort and prevents us from being normal. Hence some lifestyle changes can help in preventing myalgia and being normal.