Treating Systemic Muscle Pain
Muscle Pain is a disorder that affects a person’s ability to control his/her muscles. This condition is common in patients with Cerebral Palsy, traumatic brain injury (TBI), multiple sclerosis, or spinal cord injury. It is also found to be common in patients who have suffered strokes.
Symptoms of this condition include constant tightness of muscles, heightened muscle tone, excitable reflexes, involuntary movements (spasms and clonus), bone and joint abnormalities and irregular posture .
Diagnosis include a physical exam and medical history that assess how active a patient’s muscles are, the patient’s ability to move their arms and legs and range of motion. During the exam, there could be questions about the patient’s capability to perform activities of daily living such as getting in or out of the shower, getting dressed, brushing hair, etc.
Treatment include physical and occupational therapy, braces, and sometimes surgery . Some medications used to help this condition include botulism toxin injections to release tight muscle, Dantrium, Klonopin, Lioresal, Valium and Zanflex.
What types of medical conditions can cause muscle pain?
- fibromyalgia
- infections, such as the flu, polio, or bacterial infections
- autoimmune disorders such as lupus, dermatomyositis, and polymyositis
- use of certain medications or drugs, such as statins, ACE inhibitors, or cocaine
- thyroid problems, such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism
- hypokalemia (low potassium)
When to see a doctor about muscle aches
Therefore you should see your doctor for.
- pain that does not go away after a few days of home treatment
- severe muscle pain that arises without a clear cause
- muscle pain that occurs along with a rash
- muscle pain that occurs after a tick bite
- myalgia accompanied by redness or swelling
- pain that occurs soon after a change in the medications you take
- pain that occurs with an elevated temperature
As such the following can be a sign of a medical emergency. Consequently get to the hospital as soon as possible if you experience any of the following along with aching muscles:
- a sudden onset of water retention or a reduction in urine volume
- difficulty swallowing
- vomiting or running a fever
- trouble catching your breath
- stiffness in your neck area
- muscles that are weak
- inability to move the affected area of the body
