Myalgia is the medical term for pain in the muscles. Many different factors can cause this condition, which can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). Acute causes of myalgia include muscle tension or overuse, infections, and vitamin deficiencies, while chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and depression can also cause muscle pain. People of all ages and genders can experience muscle pain due to different reasons. Engaging in a new physical activity or changing your exercise routine can cause muscle pain. Muscle pain may occur within six to twelve hours after exercise. Pain in the muscles may occur as a result of some factors such as some diseases, improper physical activity and medication side effects. Depending on the factor causing myalgia, medication, home exercises or physical therapy may contribute to the improvement of muscle pain.
What is Myalgia?
Muscle pain is a medical problem frequently encountered in daily life. This condition can occur in any muscle layer in the body. Myalgia, medically known as myalgia, occurs as a result of pain related to the ligaments, tendons and soft tissues that connect bones, organs and muscles.
What Causes Myalgia?
Myalgia can typically occur in one area of the body or in different muscle groups. Many different conditions can cause pain in the muscles. Some of the factors that cause muscle pain may include:
• Extreme state of stress,
• Muscle fatigue,
• Physical injuries,
• High blood pressure (hypertension),
• Some infectious diseases,
• Low mineral and vitamin values in the body,
• A side effect caused by medication use.
In addition to such conditions, hyperthyroidism, Lyme disease and some autoimmune diseases can also cause muscle pain.
Myalgia Symptoms
Depending on the factors that cause myalgia, mild or severe muscle pain may occur. Along with muscle pain, different myalgia symptoms may occur depending on the underlying cause or disease. Some of these are as follows:
• High fever or chills (if myalgia is caused by an infection),
• Pain in joints,
• Feeling of fatigue,
• Weakening of joints,
• Mood changes (such as depression),
• Redness and swelling in the muscle group where pain occurs.
Many such symptoms are associated with a chronic pain condition. The resulting muscle pain may be localized (in a specific area) or widespread. It can be dull or sharp, mild or even severe. Muscle pain may vary from person to person. In some cases, the pain improves after a few minutes, but sometimes it can continue for hours. The intensity or duration of pain varies depending on underlying factors.
Myalgia Treatment Methods
Treatment methods used to relieve muscle pain may vary depending on the condition causing myalgia. However, whether the pain is acute or chronic may also affect treatment planning. Acute myalgia is usually short-lived and the disease can be easily managed. However, chronic myalgia, which usually occurs as a result of the body attacking healthy cells, is the main symptom of disorders in the muscles and bones that do not heal for a long time.
Myalgia disease can be treated with physical therapy exercises or medication. Home methods can contribute to reducing muscle pain. Medication or physical therapy may be recommended by the doctor to relieve pain that lasts for a long time or occurs with different symptoms. In addition, RICE application is very important in the treatment of muscle pain caused by a situation such as muscle pulling or stretching as a result of physical activity. RICE application is as follows:
• R: Rest,
• İ: Applying cold,
• C: Elastic bandage application,
• E: Keeping the area of pain above heart level.
However, different applications can be used in the treatment of acute and chronic myalgia. Some of the treatment methods used in Acute and Chronic myalgia are as follows:Acute Myalgia Treatment
Acute myalgia usually improves with home remedies. Some of the methods that are effective in relieving acute muscle pain are as follows:
• Resting the painful area,
• Regularly using medications recommended by the doctor,
• Applying cold to reduce swelling and relieve pain,
• Stretching the muscles slowly,
• Avoiding high impact activity until the pain subsides,
• Doing exercises that help reduce stress, such as meditation or yoga.
Applying such methods with the advice of a doctor can contribute to alleviating muscle pain.
Chronic Myalgia Treatment
Chronic myalgia is usually treated with physical therapy practices. Physical therapy practices can increase the flexibility of sore muscles and help strengthen the tissues surrounding the muscle. In addition to physical therapy, the doctor may also prescribe medications to help control pain. Muscle pain and discomfort caused by muscle overuse or injury can be relieved with rest and the use of pain medication.
Frequently Asked Questions About Myalgia
Can Myalgia Be Prevented?
Muscle pain may occur after muscle tension or physical activity. Muscle pain that occurs in such cases can be prevented by some methods that can be applied. Some of these are as follows:
• Stretching muscles before and after physical activity,
• Starting the exercise with warm-up and ending the exercise with cool-down movements,
• Consuming enough water during physical activity.
Such practices can contribute to the prevention of myalgia.
How Long Does Myalgia Last?
Myalgia may occur as a result of many situations. The healing time of myalgia varies depending on the factor causing the disease and the current symptoms. However, muscle pain can usually improve within two to four weeks.
Is Myalgia a Symptom of a Serious Condition?
Pain in the muscles may occur due to many factors. Myalgia can be a symptom of various diseases or conditions. Some of these conditions can cause chronic or acute myalgia, depending on the severity of the disease. Some of the factors that cause pain in the muscles are as follows:
• Rheumatoid arthritis,
• Fibromyalgia,
• Depression,
• Multiple sclerosis,
• Lyme disease,
• Flu,
• Deficiency of some minerals and vitamins such as potassium and vitamin D.
Unexplained muscle pain or any myalgia symptom that does not go away despite rest and pain medication may be an indication of a serious condition. In such cases, it is very important to consult a healthcare professional. A physical examination by a doctor can help determine the factor causing muscle pain. However, some imaging tests such as x-ray and MRI may also be ordered to diagnose the causes of myalgia.
Which Department Looks at Myalgia?
Rheumatology is one of the leading departments in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal system and autoimmune diseases such as arthritis and gout. The rheumatology department can be effective in the diagnosis and treatment of myalgia disease, which causes pain in the muscles. In addition, the internal medicine department is also one of the departments that deals with rheumatology.
Eating a balanced diet, doing regular and controlled exercise, and not neglecting routine hospital check-ups can help prevent diseases such as myalgia. If you want to prevent the occurrence of diseases and live a healthy life, do not forget to go for routine hospital checks and have the tests requested by the doctor.
