Hundreds of diseases or disorders cause symptoms of aching joints, body pain and extreme fatigue. The distinguishing differences that indicate one cause over another include the extent, duration and location of the symptoms. Some symptoms are acute and others are chronic. All symptoms can affect any age or gender. Diseases and conditions range from mild to serious and life-threatening.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
The symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome---fatigue, headaches, joint pain, muscle pain, sleep problems---are common to many illnesses. The main symptom that leads to the diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome is the kind of fatigue that occurs. In CFS, the fatigue is incapacitating and severe, does not go away with rest and lasts at least six months, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
CFS symptoms vary in the amount of functional impairment from one person to another. Some people experience periods of remission while others have continual symptoms that often lead to disability. Treatment is for symptom management, as there is no cure for CFS, notes the CDC.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a condition of unknown origin that manifests as widespread soft tissue aching and stiffness, along with fatigue that does not respond to rest. The most common areas to experience pain, as reported by Merck Manuals Online Medical Library, include the neck, chest, lower back, upper shoulders, rib cage, arms and thighs.
There are two ways to diagnose fibromyalgia, according to Merck. Eighteen tender points for pain have been defined, and at least 11 must be positive for pain to support the diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Or fewer tender points combined with symptoms such as fatigue, general body aches, pain and stiffness must be present.
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease, which is caused by a tick bite infected with the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium, presents with a bull's-eye rash and is usually accompanied by flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue and body aches. As Mayo Clinic reports, untreated infections may lead to severe joint pain and swelling.
Other symptoms of Lyme disease that may not occur for months or years include Bell's palsy and weakness or numbness in the legs. Extreme fatigue, hepatitis and heart rhythm irregularities may occur in chronic Lyme disease. The Mayo Clinic explains that treatment of known Lyme disease includes a course of antibiotics.
Lupus
Lupus is a disease caused by the immune system attacking healthy cells and causing damage to parts of the body such as the joints, heart, brain, lungs and kidneys. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases reports that lupus mostly affects women.
Symptoms of lupus include muscle pain, painful or swollen joints, fatigue, anemia and hair loss. Since there is no specific diagnostic test for lupus, a diagnosis is made by evaluation of medical history, blood tests and a complete examination. Treatment goals include monitoring symptoms to reduce the effects of a flare and medications for symptom relief.
