Body aches – Med-Healths

Patients most often notice headaches and body aches as part of a flu-like infection or influenza flu. In the course of the infection, there is aching pain in the arms and legs. As a rule, joint pain is not an independent disease but rather a symptom that occurs as part of another disease. If body aches occur without fever or cold symptoms, the presence of a serious underlying disease should be checked. The treatment of body aches and pains is primarily aimed at the underlying disease.

Index

Definition of body aches

Body aches describe pain that can occur in the arms or legs. In technical terms, a distinction is also made between muscle pain (myalgia), joint pain (arthralgia) and bone pain (ostealgia) .

Causes of body aches

Body aches can have many different causes. We have summarized the most common triggering diseases:

Viral or bacterial infectious diseases are often the trigger for the symptoms. A simple cold , flu or other respiratory infection can result in body aches. The pain can also be caused by viral diseases such as mumps, measles and COVID-19 . The pain is caused by a defense reaction of the body and the release of prostaglandins , which cause pain as messenger substances.
Tick-borne encephalitis (FSME) , transmitted by ticks, can also manifest itself in body aches and flu-like symptoms.
Dengue fever , which is widespread in the tropics and transmitted by mosquitoes, leads to exhaustion, fever and pain in the spine and limbs at the beginning of the disease.
Autoimmune diseases such as lupus erythematosus, polymyositis or multiple sclerosis can lead to body aches . Rheumatoid diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and polymyalgia rheumatica also lead to pain in the limbs.
Patients suffering from premenstrual syndrome (PMS) sometimes complain of body aches. The premenstrual syndrome begins a few days before the menstrual period starts and also leads to mood swings, difficulty concentrating and headaches.
Polyneuropathy is a disease of the peripheral nerves . The disease can be caused, among other things, by long-standing diabetes mellitus or alcohol abuse. In addition to pain, those affected notice a burning or tingling sensation in the limbs.
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) manifests itself with chronic diffuse body aches, sleep disorders and a tendency to exhaustion.
Raynaud’s syndrome , a circulatory disorder in the hands and feet, can also cause the pain. The affected areas pale when exposed to cold, turn blue and red.
A gastrointestinal infection with Campylobacter jejuni can initially manifest itself as body aches without fever or cold symptoms. Diarrhea and colicky abdominal pain occur over time.
Fluid buildup in the tissues, as is the case with leg edema , can also lead to pain. Triggered by cardiac insufficiency, renal insufficiency (insufficiency here = weakness) and other diseases, the fluid retention leads to swelling, pain and inflammatory reactions in the affected legs and arms.
Body aches also occur as a side effect of medication . Bisphosphonates, denosumab and teriparatide, which are used to treat osteoporosis, can lead to body aches. In addition, statins and some blood pressure medications can cause muscle pain and stiffness. Discontinuation of some antidepressants (venlafaxine, paroxetine) can also lead to severe body aches.

Limb pain symptoms

The symptoms of joint pain can be very different. While some people perceive the pain as aching, others experience more stabbing pain. Only one limb can be affected or all of them equally. If the symptoms occur in connection with an infection, such as a cold, it is referred to as acute body aches. In the event of an infection, other symptoms such as fever , cough or runny nose are often noticeable. The pain usually goes away on its own as the infection subsides.
If body aches occur without cold symptoms and without fever, another illness may be behind the symptoms. For example, rheumatic diseases or an autoimmune disease are conceivable.

Diagnose

In order to make the correct diagnosis, the doctor treating you will ask you a few questions about your symptoms during the anamnesis interview . This will be followed by a physical examination , during which the therapist will check, for example, whether you have a cold. Depending on the suspected cause, further investigations may also be necessary.

You can do this yourself if you have aching limbs

Rest and give the body time to recover.
Drink enough liquid. Adults are advised to drink 2-3 liters per day.
Try to regulate the temperature of the affected limbs. If you have a high fever, antipyretics can help. If it’s cold, a warm blanket or a warm bath can help.

Therapy for limb pain

The treatment of joint pain depends primarily on the underlying cause. If the pain occurs as part of an infection, painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol can relieve the symptoms.

When to the doctor?

The body aches appear permanently (chronic) or increase. In this case, the presence of a serious underlying disease should be checked.
The body aches occur in connection with a high fever and a strong feeling of illness.
After a cold or flu has healed, body aches persist.
The body aches occur as a result of an insect bite.
In addition to the body aches, there is a skin rash .
The pain is only in one leg and comes on suddenly. In this case, deep vein thrombosis can be behind the symptoms. Other symptoms that indicate a thrombosis include an increase in the circumference of the affected leg and redness.

How can Med-Healths help?

You can use the Med-Healths app to contact a doctor and talk about your symptoms in detail in a video call. The practitioner can help you classify your symptoms, make the correct diagnosis, and initiate the necessary treatment. The doctor can use the app to prescribe you medication and, if necessary, refer you to a specialist for further treatment. It is also possible to issue a sick note for your employer.