Myalgia


In medicine, myalgia, also known as muscle pain or muscle ache, is a symptom that presents with a large array of diseases. While the most common cause is the overuse of a muscle or group of muscles, acute myalgia may also be due to viral infections, especially in the absence of a traumatic history. Longer-term myalgias may be indicative of a metabolic myopathy, some nutritional deficiencies, or chronic fatigue syndrome.

Causes

The most common causes of myalgia are overuse, injury, or strain. However, myalgia can also be caused by diseases, medications, or as a response to a vaccination. Dehydration at times results in muscle pain as well, for people involved in extensive physical activities such as workout. It is also a sign of acute rejection after heart transplant surgery.
The most common causes are:

Overuse

Overuse of a muscle is using it too much, too soon or too often. One example is repetitive strain injury.

Injury

The most common causes of myalgia by injury are: sprains and strains.

Autoimmune

Sudden cessation of high-dose corticosteroids, opioids, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, caffeine, or alcohol can induce myalgia.

Treatment

When the cause of myalgia is unknown, it should be treated symptomatically. Common treatments include heat, rest, paracetamol, NSAIDs and muscle relaxants.