When to Worry About Body Aches and Pains

According to the National Institutes of Health’s analysis, 25.3 million American adults suffer from daily pain.

Excessive tiredness, exercise, and infections such as the flu can cause body aches. Also, aches and pains can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition like fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis. While most aches can be treated without seeing a doctor, they warrant a medical consultation if the discomfort is severe or persistent.

Common Causes of Body Aches and Pains

Body aches can be caused by many health conditions like arthritis and the flu.

1. Poor Blood Flow:

   Poor blood circulation can lead to pain and cramps in your arms and legs as muscles are deprived of oxygen and nutrients. This usually happens because there’s a narrowing in the arteries that carry blood to your muscles.

2. Rheumatoid Arthritis:

   An autoimmune disease that causes joints to be inflamed, causing pain and stiffness. This condition can lead to bone loss and joint destruction, and in severe cases may require surgery to repair the affected joints.

3. Flu or Other Infections:

   Viral or bacterial infections can cause your muscles to feel achy and stiff. Body aches in these conditions happen due to the body's immune response and inflammation.

4. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:

   Characterized by persistent fatigue, this condition often includes aches and joint pain as symptoms. Medication and physical therapy can help manage these symptoms.

5. Fibromyalgia:

   Fibromyalgia is a common cause of aches and pains, as it leads to persistent musculoskeletal pain and tender spots throughout the body.

6. Fluid Retention:

   Excess fluid buildup in your body can lead to swollen and achy limbs and joints. This kind of pain can even be sharp.

7. Stress:

   Emotional and psychological stress can cause tension in your body and weaken your immune system, leading to muscle aches and pain.

Preventive Measures and Self-Care for Body Aches and Pains

A healthy lifestyle plays an important role in reducing the risk of developing chronic conditions that can lead to ongoing body pain. You can practice the following to help alleviate the discomfort caused by aches and pains.

1. Maintaining a good posture is an effective method to avoid body ache. It reduces excessive strain on your spine, muscles and joints, minimizes the risk of musculoskeletal issues, and promotes even weight distribution. Practicing good posture can prevent the pain associated with poor alignment and muscular imbalance, such as chronic back or neck pain.
2. Staying hydrated can help ease muscle cramps and body ache caused by dehydration. Drinking fluids regularly helps to protect joints and muscles by keeping the cartilage resilient and pliable.
3. Exercising regularly helps maintain a healthy weight, promotes strong muscles and joints, and improves your overall cardiovascular health, reducing the likelihood of conditions like obesity, heart disease, and osteoarthritis.
4. Eating a diet rich in multicolored fruits and vegetables and omega-3 rich animal proteins helps control inflammation and supports optimal immune function, decreasing the risk of autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Further, practicing stress management techniques such as mindfulness and relaxation can moderate stress-related illnesses and their associated pain.

Prioritize these aspects of a healthy lifestyle to decrease your susceptibility to chronic pain conditions.

Useful Home Remedies for Body Pain

Here are some home remedies to get rid of body aches and pains naturally. Try these natural remedies at home, only if you don't have an underlying medical condition and are not facing severe discomfort in your body.

1. Cold compress:

   A cold compress has an anesthetizing effect, which provides quick and temporary relief from body pain; heat may feel better temporarily but can increase swelling and inflammation.

2. Turmeric:

   Turmeric is known for its analgesic and inflammation reducing properties that help relieve pain and may boost your overall immunity.

3. Ginger:

   Ginger has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that help in pain reduction.

4. Mustard oil:

   Mustard oil has warming and analgesic properties. When used for massage, it can improve blood circulation, reduce inflammation, and provide a soothing relief from pain and discomfort.

5. Cherry:

   Cherry juice helps reduce pain induced by inflammation and is thus often used for muscle soreness and joint pain, particularly by gout sufferers.

6. Cayenne Pepper:

   Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, which acts as a natural pain reliever for localized body pain, and is the active ingredient in topical pain relievers like Salonpas.

7. Rosemary:

   Like ginger, rosemary extracts have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

Self-Assessment and When to Seek Medical Help for Body Ache

If your pain is severe and lasts more than a few days, it's best to seek medical attention. See your doctor immediately if your body aches are accompanied by any of the following symptoms:

1. High fever
2. Seizures
3. Severe water retention
4. Difficulty swallowing, eating, or drinking
5. Shortness of breath
6. Vomiting, particularly with a high temperature
7. A stiff neck
8. Changes in vision
9. Extreme exhaustion that does not go away
10. Sensitivity to light

Contact FCCMG for Evaluation and Care!

If you or anyone in your family has body pain, visit one of our urgent care centers in Irvine Woodbridge Walk-In Urgent Care, Fountain Valley Urgent Care, and Costa Mesa Urgent Care, today!