Limb pain is mainly referred to as any pain sensation in the extremities and other areas that are heavily infused with muscles. In the plural form, limb pain is also used in medical literature to refer to the combination of predominantly symmetrical myalgias (muscle pain), arthralgias (joint pain), and ostealgias (bone pain).
What is limb pain?
The most common causes of limb pain are, as mentioned above: flu, cold or other infectious diseases. Here, limb pain should be understood as a warning sign. Limb pain is pain that comes from the extremities of the person. As a rule, limb pain is a combined pain sensation composed of individual sensations from the muscles, bones and joints. Limb pain can be mild or very severe, constant or sporadic – it depends on the cause and the exact nature of the pain sensation.
Causes
Limb pain that is triggered by muscles is called myalgia. Their cause is often due to infectious diseases. For example, limb pain of this type results from infection with adenoviruses or from various forms of influenza. Trichinosis, brought on by worms in the flesh, also brings on limb pain through the muscles as a symptom – it is the most common disease in Central Europe associated with worm infestation. However, myalgias also result from mechanical stress on the muscles in everyday life or from fibromyalgia syndrome, in which unexplained limb pain occurs. Joint-based limb pain is called arthralgias. They can also be brought on by infectious diseases such as the flu, measles, or chickenpox]. Another common cause of limb pain of this type is conditions such as osteoarthritis or arthritis, as well as rheumatism. In addition, injuries can play a role, resulting, for example, in a bruise or other similar trauma. Together with other symptoms, arthralgias also occur in autoimmune diseases, such as sarcoidosis. Occasionally, limb pain can also be explained by pain from the bones. This is called ostealgia. Bone pain can also occur with infectious diseases, but it is also a warning symptom for serious diseases. If limb pain from the bones persists, a doctor should be consulted, as cancers such as leukemia could be underlying. Often, limb pain is not even noticed, because the pulling pain is hardly noticeable. However, in individual cases it can become very severe and the quality of life of the affected person is limited. In most cases, limb pain occurs temporarily. Chronic or long-lasting limb pain occurs more rarely and mostly affects the extremities such as the legs and arms. The most common causes of limb pain are, as already mentioned: flu, cold or other infectious diseases. Here, the limb pain is to be understood as a warning sign that the body’s defense reactions thereby. Furthermore, limb pain often occurs in elderly people suffering from arthritis, rheumatism or gout. Longer lasting limb pain is often an accompanying symptom in diabetes mellitus, alcohol abuse or poisoning. Limb pain in the arms often occurs with nerve pain and inflammation. However, sometimes pain radiates from the spine to the arm region. Pain in the legs can also be caused by diseases of the sciatic nerve or by injuries, compressions or tumors. Furthermore, circulatory disorders are also a cause of limb pain.
Diseases with this symptom
- Common cold
- Flu
- Bronchitis
- Malaria
- Diabetes mellitus
- Osteoarthritis
- Tetanus
- Thrombosis
- Measles
- Sarcoidosis (Boeck’s disease)
- Gout
- Arteriosclerosis
- HIV infection
- Chickenpox
- Mumps
Diagnosis and course
Limb pain is often a symptom of a cold and is therefore not a disease in its own right. Accordingly, a doctor asks the patient with limb pain for other symptoms that indicate a flu-like infection.If one can be ruled out, neurological examinations are used in which reflexes or muscle strength are tested. Neurological diseases are confirmed – or ruled out – by the doctor in this way. The latter also brings cardiovascular problems into focus as a cause. X-rays and computer tomographies may also be performed. If a cold is present, the pain in the limbs worsens during the course of the cold, but slowly subsides with it. However, as a symptom of another disease, limb pain may persist long-term.
Complications
Limb pain is a typical symptom of cold and flu. They can occur sporadically even without such a cause, without this having to have serious backgrounds. However, this also carries the risk that problematic limb pain is not recognized as such in time. This already starts in childhood, because especially now recurring limb pain is often called growing pains and forgotten again. As a result, many a rare disease, which is then usually also severe, is not recognized promptly – until it reaches a stage where it can no longer be overlooked. Even if limb pain in children is not a serious problem, little ones may find it harder to grow than they should. Similar problems can occur as they get older. Limb pain is then, of course, no longer a sign of growth, but rather indicates joint wear and tear. Even in old age, many people with joint pain go to the doctor too late because they assume that the complaints are normal and simply to be expected in old age. In many cases, however, something can still be done about joint wear and tear that is detected in time, or at least the pain can be alleviated efficiently. In case of persistent or very unpleasant pain in the limbs, people of any age should therefore always consult a doctor.
When should you go to the doctor?
When it comes to limb pain, many sufferers find it particularly difficult to decide whether they should see a doctor. This is probably due to the fact that such symptoms can be the result of a variety of different causes. It is therefore particularly important to carefully weigh up all the circumstances of the specific individual case. However, in case of doubt, this weighing should be in favor of a visit to the doctor, as otherwise the success of the treatment could be jeopardized to a more than insignificant degree. In addition, without rapid treatment, there is a risk of infecting other people. It is therefore imperative to see a doctor if the pain in the limbs is intense and occurs without warning. Indeed, in these cases, a medical diagnosis that also takes into account the other symptoms is particularly important. However, some limb pains can be treated independently with common home remedies at first, so a visit to the doctor is not mandatory. Especially in the case of mild symptoms that are probably only part of a harmless infection, it is therefore not necessary to see a doctor immediately. Those affected should initially take it easy on their body and observe it closely. If there is no improvement, medical advice should be sought. Even if the pain in the limbs worsens, it is not advisable to wait. A visit to the doctor is then imperative to clarify causes and take the necessary further steps.
Treatment and therapy
Depending on the cause, aching limbs can be treated very differently. For colds or flu, cold compresses are recommended to relieve the pain. Medications containing acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen help with more severe limb pain. Plenty of fluids in the form of lime blossom teas, as well as taking it easy on the body, also help. Plenty of sleep and rest should be observed. If the pain in the limbs is caused by an illness, this should be treated primarily. In the short term, however, painkillers, e.g. analgesics, can also help to reduce the pain. Surgery should only be necessary in extreme cases. Limb pain caused by infectious diseases is usually left untreated and the focus is instead on the underlying infectious disease. Helpful against such aching limbs are warmth, massage and rest. This can alleviate the discomfort or even make it disappear completely. More specific diseases such as osteoarthritis, autoimmune diseases or cancer must be treated individually.In diseases whose main symptom is severe joint pain, painkillers are often prescribed to make the symptom at least bearable. In some circumstances, surgery may be required to replace a destroyed joint if that is the cause. In other cases, weight must be taken off the aching extremity to prevent joint pain and improve quality of life. In addition, drug therapy is often needed to address the underlying cause of the joint pain.
Outlook and prognosis
In most cases, joint pain is the first sign of flu or a cold. Affected people experience pain in the arms and legs and feel weak. Often, limb pain also occurs when the muscles in the limbs are overworked. In most cases, this pain passes after a few hours to a few days. The symptom heals without complications. When the limb pain occurs, the affected limbs should not be particularly strained, so that they can recover and no real muscle soreness results from it. Often the aching limbs are followed by the real flu or cold. Here the usual remedies should be taken against it. The aching limbs can also be treated with an ointment. If the pain lasts for more than a few days and does not get weaker, a doctor should be consulted. In most cases, however, the limb pain disappears after a short time and does not pose a health problem.
Prevention
Joint pain and limb pain can be prevented completely only to a certain extent. During sports and in everyday life, care should be taken not to subject muscles and joints to excessive stress. This damages them and can lead to injuries that cause joint pain. Proper equipment is required when playing sports, and other stresses should be avoided as much as possible. If a condition is known to cause joint pain, one should talk to the doctor about preventive measures. He can prescribe painkillers or give tips on how to deal with joint pain in everyday life. If necessary, he can also initiate further examinations for targeted pain therapy.
Home remedies and herbs for joint pain
- Pour boiling water over a handful of ground ivy and let it stand a little. The bath water should be lukewarm. Ground ivy helps with gout, aching limbs and lower back pain.
What you can do yourself
Various measures help to relieve aching limbs. If limb pain is accompanied by a feverish cold or infectious disease, calf wraps are recommended. For this, a cloth should be dipped in about 20 degrees of cold water, wrung out well and then wrapped around the calf. Wraps are ideally applied while lying down and should remain on the body for at least 10 to 15 minutes. The cooling wraps have an analgesic effect, stimulate blood circulation and reduce fever. Ingredients of a homemade chicken broth have an antibacterial effect and thus inhibit infections of the upper respiratory tract. It also relieves aching limbs. Various medicinal plants have an anti-inflammatory effect and can be used as home remedies for aching limbs. These include arnica, chamomile flowers, willow bark, goldenrod herb, elderberry or linden blossoms. As a tea infusion, the herbs can relieve aching limbs. The tea should be drunk throughout the day. If the aching limbs are not accompanied by fever, a hot bath can be very beneficial. It increases the body temperature and promotes blood circulation. The bathtub should be filled with water at 38 degrees. Menthol, thyme, eucalyptus or spruce needle oil is added. The oil develops its pain-relieving effect after only 15 minutes of bathing. For aching limbs, rest, plenty of rest and sleep are helpful.