Logan Steele
Experiencing muscle aches and pains when you're sick is a common symptom of many illnesses, including the cold, flu, and COVID-19. This discomfort is caused by your body's immune response to the illness, which results in inflammation and muscle soreness. When you get sick, your body releases white blood cells to fight off the infection, and this reaction causes inflammation that can leave your muscles feeling achy. The good news is that there are several strategies you can use to ease these muscle aches, including rest, hydration, warm showers or baths, and over-the-counter medications.
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What You'll Learn
The immune system's response to illness
When you get sick, your body's immune system springs into action, mounting a defence against the invading virus or bacteria. This immune response is the body's way of fighting the infection and preventing it from spreading. White blood cells, the key players in this battle, travel throughout the body, seeking out and attacking foreign invaders. This process leads to inflammation, which is the body's natural reaction to injury or infection.
Inflammation is a critical part of the healing process, but it can also be the source of discomfort and pain. In the case of muscle aches when sick, the inflammation occurs in the muscles and joints, causing a condition known as myalgia. Myalgia can affect any part of the body and ranges from mild discomfort to severe pain. It is often accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, sore throat, or cough.
The body's immune response to illness involves the production of cytokines by white blood cells. Cytokines are small proteins that act as signals for the immune system, guiding it to the site of infection. However, they can also contribute to inflammation and pain. This inflammation in the muscles and joints can feel similar to mild arthritis, causing stiffness and soreness.
The good news is that these aches and pains are usually temporary. As the body successfully fights off the infection, the inflammation and associated pain subside. Proper rest, hydration, and in some cases, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications can help alleviate the discomfort and promote a speedier recovery. It is important to listen to your body and give it the time and care it needs to heal.
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Inflammation and muscle soreness
When a person falls sick, the body mounts an immune response to fight the infection. This response leads to inflammation in the muscles and joints, causing muscle pain or myalgia. Myalgia is usually temporary and not serious, but some chronic diseases can cause ongoing, widespread myalgia. Myositis, a condition that causes inflammation in the muscles, can be caused by infection, injury, autoimmune conditions, or drug side effects. Viral infections are the most common cause of myositis.
Inflammation in the muscles can be identified through blood tests that check for high levels of muscle enzymes, such as creatine kinase. Other tests, such as MRI scans, EMG, and muscle biopsies, can also help diagnose myositis. Treatment for myositis varies depending on the cause and may include drugs that suppress the immune system in the case of inflammatory conditions.
Muscle soreness can be acute, due to lactic acid buildup, or delayed, known as Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). DOMS is caused by microscopic tears and muscle damage that can occur in anyone, from elite athletes to beginners, when they increase their workout intensity or try a new form of exercise. It is important to listen to your body and allow for rest and recovery when experiencing muscle soreness, as intense exercise during this time may worsen the pain and delay recovery.
To ease muscle soreness, it is recommended to stay hydrated, perform dynamic stretching before and static stretching after working out, and incorporate a cool-down period with low-intensity activities like walking or cycling. Additionally, heat therapy, massage, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications can help reduce inflammation and provide pain relief.
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Dehydration and muscle aches
Dehydration can have a significant impact on the body, and it is a common issue for those who are physically active in hot environments. Dehydration can lead to a decrease in blood volume, which affects the amount of oxygen delivered to the brain, potentially causing headaches. It can also result in a buildup of toxins in the body, leading to inflammation, pain, and swelling.
In terms of muscle aches, dehydration can cause a reduction in blood available for perfusion of active skeletal muscle, impacting normal muscle function and exercise performance. Dehydration can also lead to muscle cramping and pain. This is particularly evident in individuals who perform eccentric exercises, where dehydration can exacerbate skeletal muscle damage, resulting in structural, contractile, and enzymatic protein denaturation. Additionally, dehydration can cause a lack of lubrication in the joints, leading to achy, painful joints.
It is important to maintain proper hydration to reduce pain and protect muscles and joints. Water helps keep the cartilage soft and pliable, and it hydrates the discs between the vertebrae. Staying hydrated can also prevent tendons, ligaments, and muscles from becoming tight and stiff, reducing the likelihood of injury.
To ensure proper hydration, it is recommended to increase the daily intake of clean water. This can be achieved by starting each day with a full glass of water and setting a daily water intake goal. Additionally, high-water-content fruits and vegetables, such as cucumbers, celery, watermelon, and strawberries, can be included in the diet or added to water for added flavour.
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Medication to relieve muscle pain
Muscle pain is a common symptom of the flu or other viral infections. The body aches associated with the flu are caused by inflammation as the body's immune system fights the infection. This inflammation can cause pain that feels similar to mild arthritis.
There are several medications available to help relieve muscle pain. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) can be used to reduce inflammation and provide pain relief. Other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can also be used to treat or relieve pain. Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, is another over-the-counter option that can treat mild to moderate pain and fever. It is available in various forms, including tablets, capsules, and oral solutions. However, it may cause side effects such as nausea and an upset stomach.
For more severe or persistent muscle pain, prescription medications such as muscle relaxants or antispasmodics may be necessary. Muscle relaxants, also known as skeletal muscle relaxers, affect muscle function and are typically prescribed for conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS) or cerebral palsy. They can help relieve muscle spasms and spasticity. However, they are usually prescribed for brief periods due to the potential for addiction and side effects like drowsiness and fatigue. Antispasmodics, such as tizanidine, are another type of prescription medication that treats muscle spasms and spasticity. They work by inhibiting the transmission of neurons in the brain and preventing pain signals from reaching the brain.
In some cases, doctors may prescribe off-label medications that are not specifically indicated for muscle pain but can help alleviate it. Benzodiazepines, for example, are sedatives that can help relax muscles by increasing the effects of certain neurotransmitters. However, they may have side effects such as drowsiness and can be habit-forming.
It is important to note that medication is not the only way to relieve muscle pain. Other methods, such as massage, warm showers, and staying hydrated, can also help soothe aching muscles. Additionally, getting the flu vaccine can help prevent or reduce the severity of body aches associated with the flu.
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Rest and recovery
Rest
Getting enough rest is crucial when you're sick. Listen to your body and slow down. Take breaks and naps throughout the day, and aim for an early bedtime. This will help your body recover faster and alleviate symptoms like muscle aches. It's important to understand that resting doesn't mean complete inactivity. You can still perform light, gentle movements like stretching to prevent stiffness and loosen muscles.
Hydration
Staying hydrated is key. Drink plenty of water, broth, tea, electrolyte drinks, or soup. Clear liquids will help replenish fluids lost through symptoms like sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea. Water is particularly important as it flushes out toxins, boosts your immune system, and prevents dehydration, which can intensify muscle aches.
Heat Therapy
Applying heat can help relax and soothe sore muscles. Take a warm shower or bath, keeping the water lukewarm, especially if you have a fever. You can also use a heating pad or blanket if you don't have a fever. Heat therapy helps improve blood flow, reduce inflammation, and relax muscles, providing relief from body aches.
Medication
Over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen can help alleviate muscle pain and reduce inflammation. These non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are easily accessible and can provide temporary relief. However, it's always best to consult a healthcare professional for personalized recommendations based on your specific symptoms.
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Frequently asked questions
When you're sick, your body's immune system kicks into high gear to combat the invading germs. This immune response often results in inflammation and muscle soreness.
When infected by a virus, the body mounts an immune response, sending antibodies to seek out and attack the virus, blocking it from spreading further. This process generates inflammation.
There are several ways to ease muscle aches when you're sick. This includes getting plenty of rest, taking warm showers or baths, staying hydrated, and taking over-the-counter NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen.
Body aches from a viral illness typically clear up in a couple of days and can be treated with home remedies. If your body aches persist after 3-5 days, consult a doctor.
NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, have anti-inflammatory properties and block the body's production of inflammation-causing chemicals. NSAIDs also help reduce fever and regulate body temperature.
