Myalgia is the term used in medicine for muscle pain, which can arise acutely due to physical activities, muscle strain, stress or infections, or chronically, caused by fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis, for example.
The symptoms of myalgia are moderate to severe muscle pain that may worsen during rest or movement of the affected limb, which may be accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, tiredness or joint pain.
Myalgia treatment is carried out by a general practitioner, orthopedist or rheumatologist and generally involves the use of medications that vary according to the cause, physiotherapy and even lifestyle changes.
Myalgia symptoms
The main symptoms of myalgia are:
- Moderate to severe muscle pain;
- Pain that worsens when resting or moving the affected limb;
- Muscle pain that is constant or lasts a few minutes;
- Tenderness, redness or swelling in the affected muscle;
- Localized pain, in just one muscle, or pain throughout the body.
Depending on its cause, myalgia may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, excessive tiredness, weakness, depression or joint pain.
It is important to consult a general practitioner, orthopedist or rheumatologist if the pain is intense or constant, so that the cause can be identified and the most appropriate treatment can be initiated.
Don’t ignore the signs your body is giving you!
The main causes of myalgia are:
1. Physical activities
Physical activities are the most common cause of myalgia and can occur due to excessive use of the muscle, lifting weights incorrectly or injuries during exercise, such as muscle strain or cramps, for example.
Furthermore, not warming up before physical activity and stretching after finishing can increase the risk of muscle injuries and the development of myalgia.
What to do: Preparing for physical exercise is very important to avoid muscle injuries and, therefore, it is important to invest in warming up before training, stretching after training, keeping the body hydrated during physical activity and having adequate nutrition some time before starting. the exercise. Know what to eat before and after training.
2. Stress or anxiety
Excessive stress or anxiety can cause tension in the muscles of the shoulders, neck and back, resulting in muscle spasms and myalgia, and making everyday activities difficult.
In addition to myalgia, other symptoms that may appear are muscle weakness, headache or tingling sensation in the extremities.
What to do: Taking measures to reduce stress and anxiety is the most effective way to avoid muscle pain. Therefore, it is important to adopt a balanced diet, practice regular exercise, manage time well and get enough rest to replenish energy. Furthermore, in some cases, it may be necessary to undergo therapy with the help of a psychologist or even use medication recommended by the psychiatrist. Learn how to relieve stress and anxiety.
3. Depression
Depression is a psychological disorder characterized by persistent sadness, feeling sad, anxious or “empty”, lack of interest in carrying out activities that were previously considered pleasurable or having frequent feelings of hopelessness or pessimism. Know how to identify all the symptoms of depression.
In addition to psychological symptoms, depression can also cause physical symptoms such as myalgia, a feeling of lack of energy or constant tiredness.
What to do: The treatment of depression must be carried out by a psychiatrist and psychotherapy may be indicated to help better deal with emotions and feelings, and in some cases the use of antidepressant medications, such as amitriptyline, fluoxetine, citalopram, venlafaxine or duloxetine, for example. See the main remedies for depression.
4. Gripe
The flu can cause myalgia mainly in the back and legs, as well as other symptoms such as fever, weakness, tiredness, coughing, sneezing or sore throat, for example.
What to do: You should keep your body hydrated, drinking plenty of fluids and resting. Additionally, the otorhinolaryngologist may recommend the use of analgesic, anti-inflammatory or decongestant medications, such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or desloratadine, for example, to help alleviate symptoms.
5. Lyme disease
Lyme disease is an infection caused by bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi which is transmitted to humans through the bite of a tick infected with this bacteria.
This infection can cause symptoms such as fever, general malaise, dizziness, headache, muscle and joint pain, chest pain, heart palpitations or difficulty breathing.
What to do: The treatment is carried out by the infectious disease specialist using antibiotics such as doxycycline, for example, and the sooner treatment begins, the faster recovery is, avoiding complications. See how Lyme disease is treated.
6. Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a decrease in the production of T3 and T4 hormones by the thyroid, resulting in symptoms such as pain in muscles and joints, tiredness, weakness and malaise, dry and rough skin or increased weight.
The cause of hypothyroidism can be autoimmune, or occur due to iodine deficiency or changes in the pituitary gland in the brain that produces the hormone TSH, which stimulates the thyroid to produce T3 and T4.
What to do: The treatment of hypothyroidism must be carried out under the guidance of an endocrinologist, and usually involves medications, such as levothyroxine, to replace thyroid hormones. See how hypothyroidism is treated.
7. Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is one of the most common rheumatological diseases, whose main symptom is widespread muscle pain in various parts of the body.
Furthermore, other symptoms of fibromyalgia are fatigue, muscle stiffness, tingling in the hands and also depression and sleep disorders, leading to a worsening of quality of life.
What to do: Treatment must be guided by a rheumatologist who may recommend the use of analgesics or antidepressants, physiotherapy or physical exercise. Find out more about how fibromyalgia is treated.
8. Chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome, also called myalgic encephalomyelitis, is a disease characterized by excessive tiredness, which lasts more than 6 months, and has no apparent cause.
In addition to excessive tiredness, this syndrome can also cause muscle pain, joint pain, difficulty concentrating and headache, for example.
What to do: Treatment must be guided by a rheumatologist to reduce symptoms and improve the person’s ability to carry out their daily tasks, psychotherapy, regular exercise or the use of medication, such as anti-inflammatories or antidepressants, for example, may be recommended. See the main treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome.
9. Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune, inflammatory and chronic disease that causes stiffness, pain and swelling in the joints, and can also cause inflammation and muscle pain.
What to do: The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis must be guided by an orthopedist or rheumatologist, according to the severity of the symptoms, and the use of anti-inflammatory medications, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants or biological agents may be indicated, in addition to physiotherapy sessions. See all the remedies that may be indicated for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
10. Nutritional deficiencies
Some nutritional deficiencies, such as vitamin D or potassium deficiency, can cause myalgia, in addition to other symptoms such as cramps, bone pain, tiredness, general malaise or even changes in heartbeat.
What to do: A general practitioner should be consulted to carry out tests and identify the type of nutritional deficiency that may be causing muscle pain, and thus recommend the most appropriate treatment, which may involve changes in diet or the use of supplements. See the main foods rich in potassium.
11. Use of medicines
The use of medicines, especially statins, which are indicated to lower cholesterol, can have the side effect of muscle pain, in addition to headache or a general feeling of weakness.
What to do: the doctor responsible for the treatment should be consulted to reevaluate the medication, and the dose or medicine may be changed. Under no circumstances should treatment be interrupted without medical advice.
