WHY DOES MY BODY ACHE

WHY DOES MY BODY ACHE

When You Ache All Over
Muscle pain that affects a small part of your
body is usually caused by overuse -- sore
arms from lifting boxes all day, for example.
Or it could be a minor injury, like a bruised
shoulder after a fall. But when you ache all
over your body, it’s more likely caused by
an infection, illness, or medicine you’ve
taken.

The Flu
When a flu virus hits, it brings on fever and
congestion, and it can make your muscles
ache, especially in your back, legs, and
arms. It usually gets better on its own in a
week or so, but call your doctor if it doesn’t.
You also should see him if you have other
health problems and you get the flu or you
have a cough that doesn’t go away.

Hypothyroidism
This is when your thyroid gland doesn’t make
enough of certain key hormones. It can cause
muscle and joint aches, as well as swelling
and tenderness. It can make you tired and
lead to memory problems, thinning hair, dry
skin, high cholesterol, slowed heart rate, and
other issues. Your doctor can do a simple
blood test to find out if you have it, and if so,
drugs can help replace the missing
hormones.

Blood Flow Problem
If you have pain in your arms, legs, or both,
your muscles may not be getting enough
blood -- a problem called claudication. At
first, you may notice it only when you
exercise, but in time, you might feel it when
you sit or walk. This is usually caused by a
condition called arteriosclerosis, which is
when there’s blockage in the tubes that
carry blood to your muscles.

Lupus
This is a kind of autoimmune disease --
it causes your immune system, which normally
helps protect your body, to attack your tissues
and organs. When lupus affects your joints or
muscles, it can make them stiff, and it can hurt
to move. There’s no cure, but medication and
certain exercises can help control your
symptoms. Talk to your doctor about what would
work best for you.

Rheumatoid Arthritis
This is also an autoimmune disease -- it
mainly affects your joints and can lead to
bone loss. It can cause pain and
inflammation all over your body, and your
joints may swell into odd shapes.
Medication and physical therapy can help
with your symptoms, but there’s no cure. In
some cases, you may need surgery to
repair the affected joints.

Rheumatoid Arthritis
This is also an autoimmune disease -- it
mainly affects your joints and can lead to
bone loss. It can cause pain and
inflammation all over your body, and your
joints may swell into odd shapes.
Medication and physical therapy can help
with your symptoms, but there’s no cure. In
some cases, you may need surgery to
repair the affected joints.

Fibromyalgia
This condition can cause pain in your joints and
muscles as well as problems with sleep, mood, and
memory. Scientists think it happens when your
brain takes normal, mild pain signals and
mistakenly makes them worse. It may be triggered
by illness, surgery, or severe mental stress.
Medicine can ease symptoms, and exercise and
relaxation techniques like yoga may help, too.

Polymyositis
This happens when something -- possibly a virus
or a problem with your immune system -- inflames
muscles all over your body, especially in your
belly, shoulders, upper arms, hips, and heart. Over
time, your muscles can start to break down, and it
might be hard to swallow or catch your breath.
Your doctor may suggest drugs to ease
inflammation or calm your immune system and
physical therapy to help you regain muscle
strength.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
The main symptom of this condition is extreme
tiredness (fatigue) that can’t be explained by
anything else. It may get worse with exercise or
mental strain, but rest doesn’t make it better. You
also may have muscle pain, memory problems,
sore throat, joint pain, and headaches, and you
may not be able to sleep well. There’s no cure, but
medication and physical therapy can help manage
your symptoms.

Polymyalgia Rheumatica
This quickly brings pain and stiffness in your
shoulders, neck, upper arms, buttocks, hips, or
thighs that can be worse in the morning. You also
may have fever, fatigue, weight loss, depression,
and no appetite. Doctors think certain genes can
make you more likely to get it. Something in the
environment, like a virus, also may play a part.
Steroids can ease pain and inflammation, and your
symptoms may go away, but the condition can
return.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Bacteria called R. rickettsii cause it, and a tick
bite is usually how you get it. Most of the
symptoms are flu-like -- fever, chills, headache,
nausea, insomnia, and muscle aches. A rash that
doesn't itch can show up on your wrists and
ankles after a few days, then spread. Antibiotics
treat it, and the sooner you take them, the better.
If not treated, it can lead to inflammation in your
lungs, heart, and brain, then kidney failure.

Lyme Disease
Bacteria from a tick bite also cause this. It can
bring on fever, chills, tiredness, body aches, and
a headache. Another sign is a “bull’s-eye” rash
that’s clear in the middle and grows over a period
of days -- it can be up to 12 inches across. The
rashes -- there can be more than one -- don't
necessarily show up near the bite. Lyme disease
is treated with antibiotics, but some people still
have aches and tiredness after finishing the
drugs.

Medications
Drugs called statins are used to control
high cholesterol, and about 30% of people
who take them say they have muscle pain.
If this is happening with you, talk to your
doctor. She may be able to give you a
different medication.

Thank You