15+ causes of muscle pain and aches

Muscle pain, also known as myalgia, is a symptom many have experienced after overexerting a particular muscle, modifying an exercise routine or failing to stretch properly before and after a workout.
When related to injury or overuse, the origin of the muscle pain is usually somewhat evident. However, if the pain isn’t localized and is more systemic, it could be due to another condition.
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1. Fibromyalgia
Though the cause of fibromyalgia is unknown and there is no test to confirm its presence, muscle tenderness is one of its hallmarks. Those with the condition (80 to 90 percent women) are said to experience soreness to the touch in any or all of the 18 fibromyalgia pain points on the body.
2. Chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome, another condition that has no single known cause and is diagnosed through the process of elimination, is also referred to as myalgic encephalomyelitis, or ME. A major symptom is muscle aches.
3. Poor posture
Poor posture is a common source of muscle pain, forcing the body to strain itself to keep the spine mobilized. The misalignment from a slouched posture can also constrict blood vessels and nerves, causing inflammation and pain throughout the body.
4. Vitamin D deficiency
Vitamin D plays a crucial role in muscle and bone function. Though many with a deficiency don’t experience any symptoms, those with unexplained muscle pain should be tested to ensure vitamin D levels are sufficient.
5. Low potassium
Because muscles need enough potassium to contract smoothly, low levels of this mineral, a condition known as hypokalemia, can cause muscle aches, cramps and spasms.
6. Hypothyroidism
Muscle pain and stiffness can be the product of an underactive thyroid, also known as hypothyroidism. Fluid buildup surrounding the joints as a result of the disease can cause pain in muscles and joints.
7. Stress
One of the human body’s natural reactions to stress is to contract, resulting in temporary muscle soreness. When stress becomes chronic, the body can remain hyper-stimulated, causing tense, painful muscles and joints.
8. Infection
When the immune system is working hard to fight off an infection such as the common cold, flu or any viral or bacterial infection, white blood cells release chemicals. These chemicals can make muscles feel sore and achy.
9. Mononucleosis
Mononucleosis, commonly referred to as mono or the "kissing disease," is another virus that can present sore muscles at onset. The pain typically accompanies other flu-like symptoms and can take up to four to seven weeks to develop after contraction of the Epstein Barr Virus that causes it.
10. Lyme disease
Soreness in the muscles and joints that mimics flu-like symptoms can also be an early sign of Lyme disease. Because the site of the disease-causing tick bite is not always visible, those with unsolved muscle pain should be tested.
11. Multiple Sclerosis
Though symptoms can vary from person to person, many patients with Multiple Sclerosis, or MS, experience aches in the muscles that can range from dull to debilitating. The most common source of pain is in the legs.
12. Medications
Certain medications can cause muscle pain as a side effect, the most common trigger being statins, the type of drug used to treat high cholesterol. Other meds known to activate muscle pain are diuretics and beta-blockers.
13. Arthritis
Although joint pain is the most defining feature of arthritis, muscles that are weak could also be indicative of a joint disease. There are more than 100 types, with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis some of the most common.
14. Lupus
Lupus, an autoimmune disease that attacks the immune system, can cause muscle pain and soreness. In fact, an estimated 90 percent of those with lupus will experience this symptom while plagued with the illness.
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15. Muscle abscess
If a muscle has localized pain that is warm to the touch, it could be an abscess, a mass filled with pus and bacteria. Abscesses can manifest near the top of the skin or more internally.
RemedyDaily.com does not give medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.