What Causes Body Aches?

Body aches are a source of discomfort for many people. Human beings are averse to pain and will go to great lengths to avoid it.

Body aches can be caused by a variety of factors and numerous medical conditions.

One of the most common causes of pain is the flu. Sometimes you just need to eat some chicken soup and get in bed.

However, some aches may be unrelenting and demand medical attention. There may be an underlying condition that requires a long-term treatment plan.

Muscle pain in a localized part of your body may be caused by overusing that muscle.

For instance, if you have been chopping wood most of the day, your arms will feel sore. Or if you bang a toe on your coffee table, that is going to hurt for a while.

However, if the pain is all over your body, there are three main possible causes:

The medicine you have taken
An infection
Medical issue

What Causes Body Aches?

Aside from getting hit or physical exertion, there are other causes of body aches. These include but are not limited to the following:

1. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

There is a relationship between body aches and fatigue. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) causes you to feel tired and your energy levels are always low.

CFS interferes with your sleep. This makes it impossible to rest and reenergize. Consequently, you may feel pain in your joints and muscles.

The tiredness caused by CFS may increase with exercise or mental strain. It is not possible to get rid of it by resting. A person with CFS also experiences symptoms such as:

Problems with their memory
A sore throat
Muscle and joint pains
Headaches
Dizziness or confusion

2. Stress

Stress causes your immune system to be compromised which interferes with its response to inflammation. Consequently, your body finds it difficult to fight off infection.

Your body becomes vulnerable to pain because it easily gets infected.

The following symptoms indicate that you may be stressed.

Hot flushes
Breaking into cold sweats
Heart rate is higher than usual
Hyperventilating
Unusual body shaking
Tension headaches or migraines
Increased blood pressure

You can manage stress by changing your routines or addressing the cause of your stress directly. Coping mechanisms include the following:

Deep breathing
Meditation
Leaving the stressful environment
Talking to someone that you trust or a therapist
Relaxation techniques before bedtime to improve sleep

3. Dehydration

Health experts advise that you should take at least eight-ounce glasses of water every day.

The human body cannot carry out many of its significant processes without healthy amounts of water. These include everyday functions such as breathing and digestion.

Dehydration causes physical pain because it interferes with the normal processes of your body. The following symptoms indicate that you may be dehydrated:

Dark urine
Tiredness
Headache
Dizziness or disorientation
Extreme thirst

On hot dry days, your body sweats a lot and demands water. You should also increase your water intake if you are involved in physically challenging activities.

Athletes drink water constantly even as they play or run to stay hydrated.

Also, if you have a running tummy, drink a lot of water. You should aim to drink water after every episode. Take fluids with extra electrolytes to replace the ones you lose due to diarrhea.

Medical Conditions That Cause Body Aches

Body aches are also caused by medical conditions such as:

Anemia
Fibromyalgia
Pneumonia
Lupus
Arthritis

These and more can be a source of intense body aches.

1. Anemia

When the body lacks enough properly functioning red blood cells, anemia is the result. The body does not receive enough oxygen causing feelings of fatigue as well as pain in the head or chest.

You will also feel dizzy, your skin appears pale and your feet and hands feel cold. Anemia is caused by deficiencies in folate, iron, or vitamin B-12 in the system.

2. Pneumonia

This is a lung infection that plays havoc with the entire respiratory system. It makes it difficult to breathe properly and your body cannot access enough oxygen. Oxygen keeps your tissues and red blood cells in good working condition.

Pneumonia presents with pain in your chest, nausea, coughing, fatigue, and shortness of breath.

3. Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia affects the whole of your body and has been associated with excruciating pain. It causes you to feel exhausted and sensitive as the pain also hits your bones and muscles.

The cause is as yet unknown but has been connected to physical trauma, surgery as well as certain infections.

4. Arthritis

Arthritis is caused by inflammation of the joints. This can be due to conditions such as osteoarthritis, infections in the joints, and autoimmune conditions that cause the lining around your joints to wear out. Arthritis can make movement difficult for you.

Conclusion

Body aches can cause you to feel exhausted because they interfere with the ability to rest and replenish.

If the symptoms you experience can be reduced with home remedies or coping mechanisms, go for it. If not, a qualified medical provider should sort you out.

Types of stomach aches