Aches throughout the body are often symptoms of an underlying condition. You will want to note the other symptoms that you are suffering from in order to best determine how to make your aches go away. In some cases, treatments can be administered at home to provide relief, but more serious conditions may require medical attention to help facilitate the healing process.
Possible Causes of Pain All Over
In some cases, body aches can be afflicted. If you have recently performed a heavy workout or stressed the body by doing a level of physical activity that you are not used to, you could experience body aches. These are caused by small tears in the muscles that will help you generate strength as they are repaired, and are therefore no cause for alarm.
Pain that is radiating from a specific portion of the body after strenuous activity could be the result of a sprain. This is more serious joint or ligament damage caused by a severe tear in the muscle. You may notice that you have trouble moving this ligament properly or you are holding it in a different position than usual if you are suffering a sprain.
Infectious diseases such as influenza, mononucleosis, or a severe cold can cause aches. These aches will be more subtle in nature and will not be attributed to any specific part of the body. You may also notice fatigue, swollen lymph nodes (especially in the neck). and general flu-like symptoms. If you have developed mononucleosis your spleen will swell, which may put pressure on the abdomen causing discomfort.
Infections leading from contact with insects can lead to body aches as well. One of the most common is Lyme disease, which is transferred by ticks. You will also notice chills or fever, headache, fatigue, and muscle pain. Keep an eye out for a "bull's eye" rash that is slightly raised and can be up to 3 inches in width. This is the site of the tick bite that can be contributing to your illness.
Colorado tick fever, a similar disease, can result in a viral infection causing body aches. This is often accompanied by sweating, joint stiffness, nausea, sensitivity to light, muscle aches, rash and weakness which begin to take hold 3-6 days after being bitten by a tick. In many cases, these symptoms will stop for up to three days, only to return with more severity later.
Constant body aches that are more severe can be caused by fibromyalgia, or a similar condition, chronic fatigue syndrome. Both of these cases cause onset pain radiating from the nerves. You may also experience extreme fatigue, even when you have rested for a significant amount of time.
Similarly, arthritis can make the body ache all over when it starts to become widespread. This condition is often worse in the joints, which can swell and become uncomfortable. If you have trouble opening and closing your joints or they become painful in cold, damp weather then you may be dealing with arthritis.
What Can You Do if You Feel Pain All Over?
If you feel that you have stressed your body and caused it to ache, then you will need to rest. Do not do anything strenuous until the aches begin to subside. You may also need to take an anti-inflammatory to reduce any swelling in the muscles that are contributing to your pain.
Sprains that are serious may require a brace or sling to help take pressure off the area until the ligaments heal.
Most infectious diseases are virally based, so there is not medication to eliminate the symptoms. You will need to drink plenty of fluids and rest until your body can clear the infection. If you are experiencing sinus distress, take over the counter medications to help with your symptoms. Mononucleosis can be transmitted via saliva, so if you are concerned you have caught the disease you may need a blood test to be sure. If you have caught mono you should take care not to transmit the disease to others by sharing glasses, kissing or performing other activities where saliva can be transferred.
If you suspect that you are suffering from Lyme disease, do not attempt to remove the tick yourself unless you have adequate training. In many cases, the head will remain lodged in the wound and continue to spread the disease throughout the body. Once the tick is removed you will need to see a doctor to get medication to stop the infection.
Those suffering from Colorado tick fever will need to have the tick removed and may also require medication to stop the infection from spreading. In most cases, this disease is not serious and will require little more than aspirin to rid the patient of their discomfort.
There is no cure for fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome. Your doctor will be able to determine whether you have either condition based on a few tests. In most cases you will be prescribed an exercise schedule and medication that will help keep your symptoms in check so that you can maintain a somewhat normal life. There is also no cure for arthritis, but medications can help manage the swelling and pain so your condition does not become worse.