Muscle Aches and Fatigue

Muscles are important components in the body system. Playing a key role in locomotion and attaching the joints in the body with each other, the muscles are made up of elastic fibers. At times the body becomes fatigued when there is an overexertion of the muscles.

Overuse of muscles in the body can make them weak and also cause a degree of pain, and ignoring it can make the condition chronic. Some people may also complain of body aches along with the feeling of sleepiness or drowsiness at any point during the day.

This may be because the pain may reduce the activities of the body. In some cases, muscle aches accompanied by fatigue can be a sign of some serious disease.

Muscle aches and fatigue, both at the same time can take its toll on the body. There are several factors which may lead to these two conditions. 

In case, one experiences extreme muscle aches and tiredness, then immediate medical intervention is required, since they may be indications of some serious underlying health disorders. Here are some of the causative factors for feeling tired and experiencing pain at the same time.

• Suffering from depression can affect both the body and mind, at the same time. A bout of depression can impair the normal functioning of the body, which may render the person suffering from extreme fatigue.

Other symptoms of this condition are unexplained and long phases of aching muscles, loss of appetite, insomnia, back pain, etc. A delay in treating this condition can end up in the person suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome.

• Another causative factor for fatigue, accompanied by muscle pain, is bacterial and viral infestation. The pathogens (namely bacteria, viruses and parasitic worms) can attack the body and lead to a number of infections and diseases, weakening the body further and also causing muscle pain.

• African sleeping sickness is a parasitic infection and is caused due to the infected tsetse fly. The symptoms of this disease include fever, joint pain, headaches, aching muscles, and an itching sensation at the site where the fly has bitten.

With the progression of this disease the central nervous system gets affected and the person suffers from sleep disorders, confusion, lack of sensory coordination, etc. can end up in the person appearing tired all the time. This disease can be transmitted from an infected person to a healthy one if the same fly bites him.

• Certain drugs and medications can also produce side effects such as severe fatigue and aching muscles. This can be due to an overuse of medications like those for controlling blood pressure, lowering cholesterol, and also use of drugs like cocaine.

• Pain all over the body, with the feeling that the muscles are aching and have been overstressed is because of a condition called fibromyalgia. In this degenerative disorder, the person suffers from extreme aches and tenderness in the musculoskeletal system. 

At times the painful sensations are accompanied by problems related to sleep, mood swings and memory. This disorder is more prevalent in women, in comparison to men.

• An autoimmune disease, lupus erythematosus, is also responsible for causing muscle aches with fatigue. This can lead to several multiple body system problems, since the immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues in the body. Joint and muscular inflammation can result in pain and tenderness and also affect organs like the heart, lungs and kidneys, etc.

Though causing discomfort to the person, it is necessary to get to the root cause of fatigue accompanied by muscle pain. Ample rest after a long day is one of the best remedies to relieve fatigue and stress. Massaging the affected areas can soothe the sore muscles and also improve bloods circulation.

There are also several pain killers and anti stress medications that help in reducing the intensity of these conditions. Aromatherapy, practicing yoga or meditation and an exercise regimen also prove to be helpful in these circumstances.

Visiting a medical practitioner is also essential as he will prescribe drugs to treat disorders like fibromyalgia and lupus. With proper medications and rest, fatigue and aching muscles can be controlled.

Never ignore any changes in the body, and report them to a health care provider to avoid the conditions from becoming intense. Following a balanced diet, proper rest and routine exercise regimen can help keep this debilitating condition at bay. Stay healthy and take care!