Body Aches: 12 Possible Causes

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Body aches occur with many health conditions, including arthritis and the flu. If the pain lasts more than a few days, is severe, or occurs with other symptoms, you may need medical attention.

Often, rest and home treatment can relieve body aches. However, persistent or severe pain may have an underlying cause that needs medical attention.

A doctor can help you work out a treatment plan to relieve your aches and other associated symptoms.

Keep reading to learn more about 12 causes for body aches and pains and other symptoms of each, to help you work out what’s happening.

1. Stress

We often think of stress as a mental health condition, but it can also impactTrusted Source the body on a cellular level.

In times of stress, the body can become more susceptible to infection and inflammation, and it may lead to aches and pains.

Other symptoms of stress and anxiety include:

• an increased heart rate and blood pressure
• sweating
• hyperventilating
• trembling
• headache

2. Dehydration

Water is an essential ingredient for the body’s normal and healthy functioning. Without it, you can become dehydrated, which can lead toTrusted Source muscle cramps.

Other symptoms of dehydration include:

• dark urine
• dizziness or disorientation
• exhaustion
• extreme thirst

3. Lack of sleep

Adults aged 18 and over need to sleep at least 7 hoursTrusted Source in every 24 hours.

Having too little sleep can make you more sensitiveTrusted Source to pain. It can also worsen existing pain symptoms.

Around 25%Trusted Source of your sleep should be the deepest sleep. During this time, the body repairs itself and releases essential hormones, among other functions.

Not getting enough quality sleep also increase the risk of various chronic conditions, such as:

• diabetes
• cardiovascular disease
• obesity
• depression

4. Cold, flu

A cold, the flu, COVID-19, and other infections can cause inflammation as your immune system works to remove them. This can cause aches and pains.

Here are some common symptoms of these conditions.

Cold symptoms are usually milderTrusted Source than those of flu. The severity and types of COVID-19 symptoms vary widelyTrusted Source, but they can become life threatening if a person finds it hard to breathe.

5. Anemia

Anemia happens when your body doesn’t have enough properly functioning red blood cells, so your body tissues can’t get enough oxygen.

Some people who live with chronic conditions have anemia of inflammation. ExpertsTrusted Source believe this may result when a chronic condition affects how the body works, including how it uses iron.

Possible symptoms include:

• body pain
• a rapid heart rate
• dizziness or light-headedness
• weakness and fatigue
• pale skin
• shortness of breath

6. Vitamin D and calcium deficiency

Hypocalcemia, or a low blood calcium level, can happen when you don’t have enough calcium in your diet and vitamin D (calciferol) in your body from sunshine or your diet.

Your bones and muscles need calcium and vitamin D to stay healthy.

Low vitamin D levels can lead toTrusted Source:

• bone pain and unusual bone shape in children and teens
• muscle pain and weakness
• muscle cramps

7. Mononucleosis

Mononucleosis, mono, or “kissing disease” is an infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

It’s very contagious, and symptoms includeTrusted Source head and body aches.

Other symptoms are:

• fatigue
• fever
• a sore throat
• swollen lymph nodes
• an enlarged liver, spleen, or both
• a rash

8. Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a lung infection that can affect your whole body.

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It can cause chest and muscle pain, as well as:

• a cough, which may be dry or produce green, yellow, or blood-tinged mucus
• headache
• fever and chills
• breathing difficulty
• fatigue
• low appetite
• confusion
• nausea and vomiting, especially in children

9. Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition where your entire body feels exhausted, achy, and sensitive.

Why is happens is unclear, but older age and having lupus or rheumatoid arthritis seem to increase the risk.

SymptomsTrusted Source include:

• pain and stiffness throughout the body
• fatigue
• depression and anxiety
• sleep problems
• difficulty thinking, focusing, and remembering
• headaches and migraine

10. Chronic fatigue syndrome (myalgic encephalomyelitis)

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also called myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), can cause you to feel exhausted and weak, no matter how much rest or sleep you get.

Possible causes includeTrusted Source previous infection with the EBV or other viruses, genetic factors, and changes in the immune system.

Symptoms of CFS include:

• aches in the muscles and joints throughout your body
• fatigue that does not improve with rest
• a general feeling of being unwell
• headaches
• sleep disturbances and daytime drowsiness
• difficulty thinking and remembering

11. Arthritis

Arthritis happens when your joints become inflamed. There are different typesTrusted Source of arthritis, and symptoms can vary, but they all include joint pain.

Examples include:

• osteoarthritis, which happens when the cartilage around your joints breaks down
• autoimmune conditions that wear away the lining around your joints, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
• gout, when a buildup of uric acid crystals causes pain, swelling, and inflammation
• psoriatic arthritis, which can occur with psoriasis and often involves swelling in the fingers

Other symptoms of arthritis include:

• stiffness in your joints
• swelling, warmth, or redness around the joint
• not being able to move a joint all the way

12. Lupus

Lupus, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), happens when your immune system attacks the tissues around your body, including blood vessels, organs, and joints.

The damage and inflammation that can lead toTrusted Source pain in the joints due to arthritis.

Other symptoms include:

• skin lesions and rashes
• anemia
• headache
• heart, lung, and kidney problems
• ear and eye problems

Summary

Body aches and pains can happen for many reasons, ranging from stress to sepsis. Many of these causes are not serious and will resolve without treatment, but some may need urgent medical treatment.

If so, a doctor will consider the aches and pains along with other symptoms and carry out various tests before making a diagnosis.

Article Source: healthline.com