Myalgia Definition
Myalgia is the medical term for muscle pain – derived from the Greek words myos, muscle, and algos, pain. Most individuals experience myalgia at least once in a lifetime.
Myalgia is a symptom of an injury, allergic reaction, or disease. The myalgia common to most of us is the overuse of a muscle. Myalgia may occur in any one muscle or muscle group. Also, Myalgia may manifest temporarily or chronically.
Myalgia Diagnoses
Due to the different causes of muscle pain, it is best to consult a physician to diagnose myalgia. Physicians can better identify the cause of myalgia if other symptoms – such as limited mobility, shortness of breath – are linked to it. The more symptoms described, the more specific the diagnosis for myalgia.
Myalgia General Causes
The specific causes of myalgia range from overstraining a muscle to direct damage to reactions to a systemic disease. The actual pain and duration of myalgia also varies.
Some causes of myalgia are common, and these are often identified easily by a physician. On the other hand, some causes of myalgia are rare, and may require tests for infections or genetics. Significantly, many causes of myalgia are preventable.
Myalgia Specific Causes
Sports injuries, for instance, range from a minor sprain to a tearing of muscle fibers. Though it is normal to experience myalgia after working a muscle, severe pain may indicate a serious injury.
Myalgia can also be due to a disorder such as polymyalgia rheumatica that affects multiple muscles at a time or nephrogenic systemic fibrosis that immobilizes victims and may even lead to death.
The possible causes of myalgia include – but are not limited to – the following.
- Myalgia – Infections
- Types
- Common Cold
- Meningitis
- Lyme Disease
- Myalgia – Autoimmune Disorders
- Types
- Lupus
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Myositis
- Myalgia – Other
- Types
- Sprain or Strain
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy
Myalgia Treatments
The treatments for myalgia range from the simple to the complex. As specific causes of myalgia vary, so do the treatments for them.
Sometimes all it takes is a massage, a cold pack, or acetaminophen to ameliorate myalgia. Other times antibiotics will have to be taken, i.e. for Lyme Disease. But a disease that affects the whole body, like nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy, causes myalgia and is without a universal treatment.
If you or someone you love has contracted nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy from a gadolinium-assisted MRI or MRA scan, seek medical attention right now. The disease is progressive and potentially fatal.
For a free legal consultation, the attorneys at Babbitt-Johnson are at your disposal to investigate your specific case of gadolinium triggered nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy.
It is imperative to consult a physician as soon as possible. Babbitt-Johnson attorneys, specializing in aprotinin and Trasylol cases, offer free legal consultations and advice on the best legal recourses.
|
