Other causes

Among the other, more rare diseases, which are also associated with muscular pain, are Fibromyalgia (this disease is characterized by pain in the muscles of the entire body), Parkinson’s disease, muscular dystrophies (of the Duchenne or Becker type, both of which are hereditary diseases that are characterized by a more or less pronounced loss of muscle tissue), some metabolic diseases, hormonal imbalances (for example thyroid diseases), multiple sclerosis (MS) or diseases of the peripheral nervous system such as Guillain-Barré syndrome. Many people also complain of muscle pain in the context of flu-like infections. In addition, some drugs can cause muscle pain as side effects.

These include the blood lipid reducers statins. In addition, excessive consumption of alcohol and other drugs like heroin can cause muscle pain in some people. Other poisons such as strychnine can also cause muscle pain.

There are a number of drugs that can cause muscle pain when taken. In the event that muscle pain occurs in the patient, the patient should consult his or her treating physician to seek adjustment of the therapy. Together with the patient, the doctor will consider whether another preparation can be used or even whether it is necessary to discontinue the therapy in case of severe limitation.

The discontinuation of a drug should always be discussed with the physician. Among the most important drugs that can trigger muscle pain are the so-called statins. These are drugs that lower blood lipid levels, which in patients with cardiovascular problems, metabolic syndrome or diabetes, as well as other risk factors, play a central role in the prevention of strokes or heart attacks.Statins must not be combined with fibrates, another group used to treat high blood lipid levels.

This increases the risk of myopathy. Furthermore, penicillin derivatives can also lead to muscle inflammation and muscle pain. The antihistamine cimetidine, which is sometimes used for reflux, can also lead to severe muscle pain.

Muscle cramps, however, are typical for ACTH, levodopa or quinidine. Because they cause a potassium deficiency, diuretics and laxatives may also cause muscle pain. Finally, alcohol, amphetamines, cocaine, heroin, ecstasy or methadone can also cause muscle pain, and in the worst case, acute rhabdomyolysis with kidney failure.

Statins are frequently used cholesterol-lowering drugs that have a positive effect on blood lipid values. A characteristic side effect of these drugs is muscle pain. In addition to harmless muscle pain and cramps, however, a serious myopathy can also be triggered, the so-called “statin myopathy”.

This muscle disease can result in a dangerous decomposition of the muscle tissue, the so-called rhabdomyolysis. Rhabdomyolysis often causes acute kidney failure and can lead to a dissolution of the muscles of the heart and diaphragm and is therefore life-threatening. Long-term therapy with cortisone can cause numerous side effects.

Cortisone promotes numerous degrading metabolic processes in the body, including the breakdown of muscle tissue. As a result, myopathy and muscle atrophy, muscle wasting, can develop. During physical exercise, muscle atrophy can cause muscle soreness and muscle cramps more quickly than in healthy individuals.

Muscle pain can therefore be a consequence of long-term therapy with cortisone. Our body fights off pathogens during a flu and releases various messenger substances, including the so-called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins have a positive effect on the defence against the pathogens.

But at the same time, they dock on nerve cells and reduce the body’s sensitivity to pain. The consequence is that practically everything hurts the affected person. After an insect bite, there may be signs of inflammation in the area of the bite, such as redness, swelling and warming.

Since insects bite superficially, muscle pain is not a classic symptom after an insect bite. If it is an unusually large area, one can get the feeling that the muscles underneath hurt, for example from exotic mosquitoes that have only recently arrived in Germany. A tick can quickly be overlooked and after a bite it can leave a redness that resembles a typical insect bite.

A tick can transmit borreliosis to humans, a clinical picture that causes muscle pain in the early stages, among other things. If one suffers from muscle pain after an apparent insect bite, Lyme disease should be ruled out as a precaution in order to avoid late effects. Pregnancy affects the entire body.

While the uterus continues to grow and the body gains weight, the back has to carry more load than before. As a result, the back muscles also grow. In the course of the pregnancy, pregnant women often suffer from back pain, i.e. muscle pain in the area of the back muscles.

Sore muscles and muscle tension are frequent causes of muscle pain during pregnancy. Muscle pain is a common symptom of the menopause along with joint pain. These symptoms affect up to seventy percent of all women in the menopause.

The cause of muscle pain during the menopause is not fully understood. Some scientists describe the symptoms as a common wear and tear phenomenon, while other scientists assume a connection with the decreasing estrogen level. Fibromyalgia is a common chronic pain syndrome.

Those affected suffer from chronic pain, which is particularly strong in the area of the muscle and tendon attachments. In addition to the painful pressure points, the sufferers often suffer from depressive moods, sleep disorders, dry mouth and tremor. There is no therapy that can eliminate the muscle pain in fibromyalgia.

Regular sport units, relaxation exercises and physiotherapy are said to have a positive effect on the painful pressure points. Stress can negatively influence all bodily functions. Chronic back pain, so to speak a widespread disease in Germany, is often associated with stress.In addition, stress often leads to muscle tension as a result of poor posture.

This means that stress can cause muscle pain in various ways. Calcium and magnesium are important electrolytes of the muscles. A deficiency causes pain and muscle cramps.

Vitamin B12 is an important vitamin that the body cannot produce itself and therefore has to take in with food. A severe vitamin B12 deficiency can cause muscle pain in addition to various other complaints. A vitamin D deficiency or insufficient sunlight can also cause muscle pain.

Furthermore, muscle pain can be the result of a pronounced iron deficiency. You can find more information about vitamin B12 deficiency here. Iron is an important trace element that must be supplied to our body with food.

Iron deficiency leads to anaemia and complaints such as chronic exhaustion and listlessness. A chronic iron deficiency can cause a chronic exhaustion syndrome, the so-called myalgic encephalomyelitis. This syndrome includes memory, sleep and concentration disorders as well as pronounced muscle pain.