Photo by Rodolfo Clix from Pexels
There are several conditions related to body pain. If your body aches and you are experiencing pain, it is important to find out why. Make sure to speak to your doctor if your pain persists or increases. Also, make an appointment with a doctor you trust if you have more questions or concerns.
The following article will address the several reasons you may be experiencing body pain. Keep reading to understand conditions related to body aches and pain.
Body Pain
As stated previously, there are several conditions related to body pain. Body pain can result from stress and dehydration or from something more serious like fibromyalgia. Listed below are some reasons why you may be experiencing body pain.
Stress
Stress negatively impacts your health. When you are stressed your immune system does not respond to inflammation very well and makes it more difficult for the body to fight against diseases. Your body becomes more susceptible to not only inflammation, but also infection. In turn, your body aches. There are additional symptoms to look out for if you are stressed, such as having a higher heart rate, increased blood pressure, shaking, headaches, hot flashes or cold sweats, and hyperventilating. Simple things like meditation, yoga, exercise, walks, and talking to a loved one or friend can help with your stress and lessen your symptoms.
Lack of Sleep
Sleep is very important to your overall health. When you do not get enough sleep your body is not able to completely reenergize and recuperate. Everyone needs about six to eight hours of sleep each night. Your body not only needs to stay refreshed, but also your brain requires sleep to stay alert during the day. A few symptoms of sleep deficiency include trouble remembering things, trouble staying awake during the day, trouble speaking, and trouble understanding someone. Try going to sleep and waking up at the same time so your body and mind become accustomed to a sleep schedule. Also, if you have difficulty falling asleep at night, try exercising earlier in the day, meditation, yoga, or drinking tea (with no caffeine) before bed.
Dehydration
Our bodies rely on water, making it an important resource. Staying hydrated helps the body perform daily functions, such as digestion. Body pain and aches may be a result of dehydration. Other symptoms of dehydration involve dark urine, headaches, extreme thirst, exhaustion, and dizziness. Follow the 8×8 rule if you believe you are dehydrated. The 8×8 rule simply means to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water every day to stay hydrated. Avoid sugary drinks, such as soda and juice, and instead try drinking as much water as you can. Fruits also help keep one hydrated, such as apples, watermelon, and oranges that have a high water content.
Lack of Vitamin D
Lacking vitamin D can happen if you have hypocalcemia, or a low blood calcium level. Not enough vitamin D means that your body is not able to absorb the calcium it needs. Your body relies on calcium, especially organs like your kidneys and muscles. Without vitamin D to absorb calcium, your body can feel achy. Body cramps, muscle pain, numbness, seizures, and dizziness are signs of a lack of vitamin D.
Cold or Flu
Your body can be achy when you are sick. The cold and flu are viral infections that cause inflammation. Your body aches because your immune system is working hard to fight against the infection. You know when you are sick with the cold or flu because you also experience a sore throat, sneezing, coughing, thick mucus, and/or headaches. In order for a faster recovery, it is important to get lots of sleep. Get enough rest as well as drink plenty of water so your body can heal. Additionally, there are over-the-counter medications to help relieve your body aches and pain.
Fibromyalgia
If your muscles and bones feel achy, it is possible you have fibromyalgia. People with fibromyalgia experience stiffness, trouble sleeping, headaches, abdominal pain, sensitivity to light or sound, and/or tingling sensations in your body. Speak to your doctor if you are experiencing extreme body pain or believe you may have fibromyalgia. There is not a known cause of fibromyalgia, which makes it difficult to treat. However, the symptoms are treatable, which is why it is important to talk with your doctor.
When to Talk to a Doctor
You will need medical attention if you have extreme and lasting symptoms related to body pain. Because body pain is also associated with more serious conditions it is very important to speak to your doctor. Serious conditions related to body pain include: Multiple sclerosis (MS), Histoplasmosis, Lyme disease, lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and Pneumonia. For more information, visit the Mayo Clinic site, which lists more causes of muscle and body pain.
Comments