Associated symptoms
Since pain is very unspecific throughout the body, very different symptoms can accompany the pain. Often the pain causes exhaustion and physical limitations. Depending on the cause of the pain, there may be specific or very general additional symptoms.
In fibromyalgia, sleep and concentration disorders are still typical. The numerous rheumatic clinical pictures are also characterized by various accompanying symptoms. For example, rheumatoid arthritis, in addition to the pain, is characterized by swollen joints and the resulting restrictions in movement.
Fatigue can occur in conjunction with pain in the body. Pain is a strain on the body and it feels exhausted more quickly. On the other hand, fatigue and exhaustion can also increase the pain.
Depression is primarily characterized by a depressed mood and lack of drive. However, it can also be accompanied by many other different symptoms, such as loss of appetite. In many cases, depression and pain occur together. However, it is often not possible to say exactly whether the pain or the depression was there first. Chronically ill people have an increased risk of developing depression in addition.
Can pain all over the body be an indication of cancer?
It is extremely rare that cancer manifests itself through pain all over the body. A cancer can cause pain, but especially at the beginning of the disease, this pain often does not exist and is usually not spread over the whole body. Most cancers do not manifest themselves through pain, but through specific symptoms or cause no or very little discomfort for a long time. Pain usually occurs only in the further course and especially in the final phase of the disease.
What to do?
Pain all over the body can be an indication of a disease. Especially if the pain does not go away on its own and recurs repeatedly or is permanent for several months, a clarification should be made by the doctor. Various examinations such as blood counts, X-rays, various screenings of the bones or muscles can be performed to find a cause for the pain.
Depending on the cause, appropriate treatment can then be administered. For example, in the case of a cold or flu-like infection, the patient needs a lot of rest. The pain can be relieved with painkillers such as ibuprofen or diclofenac.In the case of diseases such as arthrosis, rheumatism or other rheumatic diseases, pain treatment with injections and cooling ointments can also be carried out.
Patients with chronic inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) or fibromyalgia receive special treatment. They are given pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory medication to slow down the progression of the disease. At a certain point in time, those affected often have to change their lives, as they are dependent on help during the course of the disease, especially in MS.
Furthermore, rest and resting are also helpful in the case of general pain. Sport should be adapted to the patient’s ability to cope with stress. Here it is advisable to strengthen the muscles gently through physiotherapy but also to learn to relax.
Sports that are easy on the joints, such as cycling, swimming, hiking or walking are suitable. If the complaints are also a great psychological strain for the patient, psychotherapy can be discussed with the treating physician. Some illnesses are accompanied by depression, so that special treatment is needed to improve the mood and thus the handling of an illness.