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Myalgia

Introduction
Myalgia refers to tenderness or pain in the muscles. It is a chronic disorder which includes a widespread musculo-skeletal pain, fatigue and multiple tender points. It is more of a symptom to other disorders rather being itself a disease.

Alternative Names
There is no alternative name for myalgia.

Causes
Myalgia is usually accompanied by myositis, an inflammation of the muscles. This combination usually results in a viral infection or as response to an immune system disorder. There are certain other causes to myalgia as well. These include infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, and parasitosis or generalized infections such as influenza, malaria, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, polio, rat bite fever, measles and rheumatic fever. Unaccustomed exercises or work also results in achy muscle or being straighter, in myalgia. At least 48 hours are required for a muscle to heal. Exercise with a sore muscle could further lead to muscle damage such as sprain or strain. Another cause of myalgia could be worm-infested infections such as trichinosis and pyomyositis. This could even appear as a side effect to certain diuretic medications prescribed for high blood pressure or heart disorders. Poor circulation of the blood in the body results in the leg cramps. The causes of myalgia vary from person to person regarding age, gender and certain characteristics of the symptoms such as location, quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors and other associated complaints.

Risk Factors
  • Anyone who has performed an unaccustomed physical exercise.
  • Anyone with high blood pressure or heart disorders and is prescribed diuretic medications by the doctor.


Symptoms & Signs
  • Pain in the joints, especially in those that are located farthest away from the trunk of the body such as fingers, wrists, elbows, knees and ankles.
  • Sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome or muscle jerking during the sleep.
  • Stiffness in muscles most particularly in the morning and after sitting in one position for a long time. This could also happen as a result of the change in weather.
  • Headaches.
  • Facial pain.
  • Irritable bowel syndrome.
  • Feeling of being unwell.
  • Weakness.
  • Fever.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Problems in the usage of affected muscles.
  • Swelling - could be through out the body or limited to a certain area.


Diagnosis
The diagnosis of myalgia is based upon physical examination. This physical examination is done through the following procedures.
BLOOD DIFFERENTIAL: This requires calculation of the balance between the red and white blood cells. This evaluation could help in evaluating the cause of weakness and pain in the joints.
ELECTROMYOGRAPHY (EMG): EMG or muscle needle test is done through an instrument which records the electric current generated in active muscles.

Prevention
No preventive measures have so long been devised for myalgia.

Treatment
Myalgia resulting in the unusual physical exercise could be best treated with rest and aspirin. (This is straight! You don’t need a doctor). While in other cases doctors sometime prescribe certain ‘magic bullets’. These increase the level of neurotransmitters (chemicals) in the brain that are used by the pain suppression system. This way more chemical produced results in higher suppression of pain. These neurotransmitters are also present in the system responsible for regulating mood, sleep and appetite. Thus certain medications have been developed to help in the control of mood. Therefore the antidepressants are found to be effective in the reduction of pain.

Dietary Guidelines
  • Refined foods, saturated fatty food from meat and dairy products, wheat pastries and certain other high gluten foods which are also high in sugar, cholesterol and fat should not be a part of your diet.
  • In addition night shade family food such as peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, chocolate, colas, caffeine and highly spiced foods are also non advisable.


Home Care Suggestions
Nicotine and tar in cigarettes have been proven to cause damage to the muscles. The message is straight, avoid smoking.

Mind/Body Considerations
Not only smoking but secondary smoke is injurious for you as well, so you should better avoid these situations. Milder exercises are beneficial since they could help in the strengthening of your muscles in addition to cheering you up. Message therapy and shiatsu are equally effective in strengthening nerves and muscles. After all …. RELAX!

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