The main causes of muscle pain

What causes muscles to ache and grow painful?

A survey of medical textbooks will give you the bad news. There are more than 800 different possible causes of muscle aches and pains. We start with injuries caused by slips, falls and overexertion which can strain and rupture muscles, and then move through an alarming number of different diseases and disorders. Ignoring physical injuries, the most common reasons for pain are inflammation including arthritis, metabolic disorders, autoimmune diseases like diabetes, and as a side effect to a drug you are taking.

What are muscle spasms?

This is when one or more muscles contract involuntarily. It is usually painful as in cramp, i.e. the muscles do not relax simply because you wish them to. It can result from exertion or injury to the muscle(s) involved, from dehydration, damage to the nervous system or diseases such as multiple sclerosis. It may be a symptom of cardiovascular disease with an inadequate amount of oxygenated blood reaching the required part of the body. If you have severe chest pain, this may be angina. If you find the spasms occurring on a regular basis, this may be a problem of diet and the level of hydration. Otherwise, you should consult your doctor for a full diagnostic check-up.

What are seizures?

There is a distinction to be made between a convulsion and a seizure. A convulsion is where the muscles in your body contract and relax rapidly. This causes your body to shake uncontrollably. This is similar to the reaction to an electric shock. A seizure is a symptom of a brain disorder like epilepsy and involves a wide range of possible symptoms including changes to the movement of muscles.

How to reduce the risk of muscle injuries

Once the underlying cause of muscle pain is identified, treatment can reduce the risk of further injury. So, for example, if the cause is diabetes, thyroid disease or a seizure disorder, there are positive treatments to ensure no further muscle damage and personal safety. However, if the pain results from overexertion, you will need rest and physical therapy to recover. Resuming the sport or activity will then require you to maintain proper levels of hydration and go through both warm-up and cool-down stretching routines to reduce the risk of further injury.

Read about the treatment options available for muscle pain.