Feeling body aches and muscle pain after a grueling workout? We’ve all been there. But what does it mean if you’re experiencing body or muscle ache and you haven’t stepped foot in the gym? According to Mayo Clinic, if this pain is only occurring in a few muscles or just one part of the body; it’s most likely a result of tension, stress, overuse, and minor injury [1]. However, pain throughout the whole body is usually a little more complex and might be a result of a condition, illness, or a side effect from certain medication.
Body aches, pain, and stiffness can make even the simplest of tasks difficult so if you’re experiencing pain throughout your whole body, it’s important to know more. Just some potential causes include:
- Influenza
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Lyme disease
- Thyroid problems
- Fatigue or stress
- Autoimmune disease
Why am I having body aches and pains?
Pain throughout the whole body is what’s referred to as systemic muscle pain. While localized pain can more often than not be treated from home with some TLC, pain that’s felt throughout the whole body might suggest an underlying problem and is worth knowing more about.
Influenza
If your body aches are accompanied by a fever, cough, headaches, fatigue, and maybe a runny nose; it’s possible that you may have contracted influenza (perhaps better known as the flu). According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 8% of the U.S. population gets sick from the flu each season [2]. The good news is that the flu can be treated with influenza antiviral drugs and some well-deserved rest.
Vitamin D deficiency
It’s estimated that around the world, 1 billion people have inadequate levels of vitamin D in their blood [3]. As this vitamin is essential for healthy bones and muscles (among a number of other crucial roles), it makes sense that if you’re deficient in vitamin D, body aches, muscle weakness, pain, and fatigue are common symptoms.
If you would like to know more about your vitamin levels, one of the best ways to find out is through a lab test; this can be done from home with LetsGetChecked’s range of Vitamin Deficiency Tests.
See also: 4 Vitamin Deficiencies You Should Fix Now (And How to Fix Them)
Lyme disease
Do you spend a lot of time in the great outdoors during the sunnier months? Then you might be at risk of contracting Lyme disease; an infection spread to humans through infected black-legged ticks. If Lyme disease goes unnoticed and untreated, it can cause a number of symptoms, including body aches, fever, and an Erythema migrans rash where the tick bite occurred.
You should check for Lyme disease if you have been exposed to Lyme disease-carrying ticks. If you develop a rash or experience any symptoms, it’s important to speak with your doctor.
See also: What Happens if Lyme Disease Goes Untreated?
Thyroid problems
Hypothyroidism occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough of certain crucial hormones. The symptoms aren’t always obvious, two of the most common tend to be weight gain and fatigue and some of the more noticeable symptoms include pain in the joints, muscles, and body aches [4]. This condition is more common in women and you’re at an increased risk if you have a family history of thyroid disease.
If you would like to know if your thyroid is the cause of your body aches, you can check for home with an at-home lab test as well as speaking to your doctor.
See also: I Knew I had a Thyroid Condition When...
Fatigue or stress
Feeling stressed or fatigued can have an impact on your health. And when you’re stressed, your muscles actually tense up and will release again when you have relaxed; causing muscle tension and pain. If you find yourself feeling stressed, there are a number of steps you can take towards managing your feelings; get out for a walk on your lunch break, try out a meditation video on YouTube, or simply set aside some time for a hobby that you really enjoy!
See also: Is Your Stress Hormone Running on Overdrive?
Autoimmune disease
An autoimmune disease occurs when the body’s immune system mistakingly attacks healthy cells in the body. These diseases can be common, according to The Office on Women’s Health, around 23 million Americans are affected. Some autoimmune diseases can cause muscle pain or body aches, these include, but aren’t limited to:
- Lupus
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Rheumatoid arthritis
It’s important to speak with your doctor if you think that your body aches and pains may be caused by an autoimmune disorder.
How do you relieve body aches?
How you relieve body aches entirely depends on the cause of the body ache or joint and muscle ache. If the ache or pain is caused by a minor injury, stress, exercise or delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), it can typically be treated from home with a few simple steps, these include:
- Resting and keeping the painful area elevated
- Use an ice pack to reduce inflammation
- Try soaking in a warm bath with Epsom salts
Remember, if you’re not sure what could be causing the aches and pains and if the pain is severe, uncomfortable, and/or lasting, it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider who will be able to offer help, support, and advice on how to relieve the pain, dependent on the underlying cause.
What do Covid body aches feel like?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), some of the most common signs of COVID-19 include a fever, cough, tiredness, and loss of taste or smell. And while muscle or joint pain and general aches and pains can be a symptom, it is one of the less common indicators of Covid. When they do occur, these pains can be a dull and/or aching sensation however it’s important to know that they can vary from person to person.
If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, it’s important to get tested as soon as possible and self-isolate until you get your results. If you would prefer to test from home, you can test with LetsGetChecked’s Home Coronavirus Test which offers online results within 24-72 hours after the test reaches the lab.
You should seek immediate medical care if you are experiencing any symptoms including
- New unexplained pain
- Extreme or persistent pain
- Muscle weakness
- Trouble breathing
- A high fever
- Rashes
- Headaches, sensitivity to light, or a stiff neck
- Signs of infection
- A tick bite
- Neurological changes or changes in consciousness
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