Experiencing muscle pain once in a while is quite normal for many. This kind of pain can arise due to heavy lifting or high-intensity workouts. This pain can subside in a few days by resting or using specific home remedies. However, if the muscle pain is persistent and chronic, the cause can be an underlying health disorder or infection. In such cases, it is important to consult a doctor and get a correct diagnosis immediately. 

Common causes of muscle pain

Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is caused by repeated nerve stimulation. This changes the pain receptors of the brain and the spinal cord. As a result, there is an increase in the level of chemicals that respond to pain. This also results in widespread musculoskeletal pain. Many people who have fibromyalgia end up having chronic muscle pain, tension headaches, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, fatigue, sleep, memory, and mood issues.

Chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS, causes extreme tiredness, which doesn’t go away even after rest. One of its most notable symptoms is muscle and joint pain. There is no swelling or inflammation in the pain points. The pain worsens with any physical or mental activity. Other symptoms include sensitivity to light, headache, tender lymph nodes, fatigue and weakness, inability to concentrate, insomnia, forgetfulness, mood swings, confusion, and occasional low-grade fever.

Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism, also known as underactive thyroid disease, occurs when the thyroid gland doesn’t produce a normal level of thyroid hormones in the body. This slows down metabolism leading to several symptoms and causes muscle aches. There is tenderness and stiffness of joints, specifically in the knees and hands. A person may also experience fatigue, brain fog, numbness and tingling sensations, constipation, muscle weakness, and dry, coarse skin and hair.

Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder. It causes the immune system to mistake the healthy cells of the body for foreign substances and attack them. This leads to inflammation and painful swelling in the affected areas of the body. RA mainly affects the joints in the knees, fingers, and hands. It causes intense muscle pain and joint stiffness,, and tenderness. Muscle weakness is also commonly experienced. There is almost a 25% to 70% reduction in the strength of the muscles due to RA. This leads to decreased skeletal muscle mass.

Lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system, which usually protects the body from infection, to attack healthy tissues. This condition further leads to permanent tissue damage and causes inflammation. It affects nearly all parts of the body, from the joints, skin, lungs, heart, to kidneys, and the brain. There is muscle pain and joint aches of varying intensities. In addition, there can be joint and muscle stiffness, with or without swelling. Common areas where one can experience muscle pain and swelling are the neck, shoulders, thighs, and upper arms.

Polymyalgia rheumatica
This is an inflammatory disease that is mostly observed in those above 65 years. It causes mild to severe stiffness and pain in the muscles. It particularly affects the muscles of the hips and shoulders. In most cases, polymyalgia rheumatica is preceded by another inflammatory disorder known as giant cell arteritis. It causes headaches, vision problems, scalp tenderness, and jaw pain.

Myositis
Another autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack the muscles of the body is myositis. It is a type of myopathy, which refers to disorders that affect the muscles that connect to the bones. There is swelling of muscles and joints that varies in intensity over time. Chronic inflammation eventually causes the muscles to become weak, which further aggravates muscle pain and stiffness. There are different forms of myositis that affect different groups of muscles. It generally affects the muscles that are used for mobility and motion purposes, including muscles in the arms, shoulders, legs, hips, abdomen, and spine.

Lyme disease
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia mayonii. It occurs when a person is bitten by infected black-legged ticks. Some of the common symptoms include headache, fever, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. When left untreated in the initial stages, the infection can spread to the heart, nervous system, and joints. A person may experience soreness in the muscles and pain in the joints. In most cases, the muscles of the legs and joints of the knees are affected. As the disease progresses, the intensity of the muscle pain gets severe.

Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a chronic autoimmune disorder. It causes the immune system to attack the healthy cells of the central nervous system. It is an unpredictable disease that affects people differently. However, a common symptom across all cases is chronic muscle pain and fatigue. This happens because MS damages the nerves that are connected with the muscles responsible for movement. As a result, the muscles experience pain through spasms of different intensities. A person may experience cramping or pulling of muscles in the arms and legs. In addition, there can be muscle weakness and stiffness.

Influenza
Seasonal influenza is a respiratory infection that is caused by influenza viruses. The flu generally affects the lungs, throat, and nose. Common symptoms include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and runny or stuffy nose. Another common symptom is muscle pain. Since the body is attacked by the influenza virus, the immune system jumps into action. It starts to release white blood cells to fight off the infection-causing viruses. This further leads to inflammation, causing muscle pain to last for as long as the infection is present in the body.

These conditions can be treated and managed with timely diagnosis, recommended prescriptions, and treatment options. One must consult a doctor at the earliest when certain signs are experienced. A delay in treatment may lead to potential complications.