Muscle aches and pains: what to know

Pain in one muscle after lifting, sport, or an unfamiliar movement often fits strain. Aches throughout the body with fever, chills, cough, sore throat, or unusual tiredness fit an illness more closely. Influenza, COVID-19, Dengue Fever, Malaria, and Brucellosis can present with body aches in the appropriate setting. Fibromyalgia may cause widespread pain and poor sleep, while Hypothyroidism can be associated with aching, stiffness, and low energy. Pain, stiffness, weakness, swelling, and duration are more useful than the word ‘aches’ alone.

Reduce the activity that triggered the pain, but keep gentle movement within comfort to prevent stiffness. Rest, use a wrapped cool or warm pack according to what feels helpful, and maintain regular fluids and meals. Check whether a new medicine, dose change, or supplement preceded the symptoms. A clinician can examine strength, joints, nerves, and circulation and decide whether testing is useful. Keep a brief diary of location, severity, triggers, sleep, fever, and function.

Seek emergency care for sudden severe weakness, inability to move a limb, trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, fainting, or loss of bladder or bowel control. Prompt review is needed for dark urine with severe muscle pain, a swollen hot limb, a high fever, or rapidly worsening symptoms. Make an appointment when pain continues beyond expected recovery from an activity, returns often, disrupts sleep, or limits ordinary movement.

Does the location and pattern suggest muscle strain, nerve pain, joint disease, infection, or medicine effect? What movement is appropriate? Should my medicines, thyroid health, or recent travel be reviewed?