Muscle and joint pain can be a common problem, affecting more than 90 percent of adults! The causes of muscle pain vary from sports injuries to arthritis and more. Muscle pain is often the result of an injury, infection or disease. But don’t give up hope: you may be able to prevent future pain by taking steps now to protect your muscles and tendons, stay warm and dry, eat right and keep moving!
What is muscle pain?
Muscle pain can be the first symptom of an injury, infection or disease. If you’re having muscle pain, there are things you can do to feel better. Some people experience muscle pain all over their bodies. Others may only experience sudden severe pain in an individual area like a shoulder or knee.”
Causes Of muscle pain
Many things can cause muscle pain, including:
- Autoimmune diseases.
- Infections.
- Injuries.
- Medications.
- Neuromuscular disorders.
When should You call the doctor? You should call your doctor if you experience:
- Chest pain.
- Muscle weakness.
- Numbness or tingling in limbs.
- Fever.
- Loss of bladder control.
- New or worsening pain.
Muscle pain is a common cause of inconvenience and disability, but it is often more complicated than it first appears. If you don’t know what’s causing muscle pain, or the pain is severe or chronic, your healthcare provider may order tests, such as an MRI scan.
If the blood test, MRI or CT scan and electromyography are normal, muscle biopsy may be a good next step. Muscle biopsies are used to determine underlying conditions such as vitamin deficiencies or myopathy, where muscles become soft and swollen.
What is joint pain?
Joint pain can be a frustrating and frustrating problem. Pain may be constant or it can come and go. Sometimes the joint can feel stiff, achy, or sore. Some patients complain of a burning, throbbing, or “grating” sensation. In addition, the joint may feel stiff in the morning but loosen up and feel better with movement and activity.
Joint pain may affect the function of the joint and can limit a person’s ability to do basic tasks. Treatment should focus not only on pain but also on the affected activities and functions.
Causes joint pain.
The most common causes of chronic pain in joints are:
- There are several different types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is often caused by aging and can result in joint stiffness, pain and limited mobility.
- Rheumatoid arthritis is thought to be an autoimmune disease, where the immune system attacks healthy tissue.
- Gout is often confused with arthritis and rheumatism. It is a condition where the body produces too much uric acid, which collects in the joints, causing severe pain and swelling.
- Bursitis is caused by overuse of a joint such as the elbow and can be painful, but it doesn’t affect daily living. Viral infections, rash, and fever can cause joint pain – so take care of yourself to prevent these conditions from affecting your health!
- Tendonitis can be caused by irritations and injuries such as sprains, fractures, and tendinitis is an inflammation of the tendons, or the flexible bands that connect bone and muscle. It is typically seen in the elbow, heel, or shoulder and is usually caused by overuse.
When should you see a doctor?
If you feel like you’ve been hurting all over for a while, or your pain is interfering with normal daily activities, it’s likely time to see a doctor. And the sooner you do, the better your chances of treating joint pain and avoiding further damage.
During your appointment, the doctor will ask many questions to figure out what may be the cause of the pain. It is important to be ready to answer questions about previous injuries to the joint, when joint pain began and family history of joint pain. If necessary, the doctor may also order an X-ray or blood test. X-rays can show if there is joint deterioration, fluid in the joint, bone spurs or other issues that may be contributing to the pain.
A note from NJ Pain and Spine
Almost everyone has muscle aches and joints pain now and then. For temporary rest, stretching and pain medicines can help. Chronic or severe pain makes it difficult to do the things you love. If you have a condition that causes chronic pain, talk to Dr. Ednan Sheikh about your health condition, he can help for muscle and joint pain treatment.
