Muscle aches and joint pain are common; the discomfort can be localized or spread to several areas of the body. Typical muscle aches and joint pain are caused by stress, overuse, or injury from exercise or physically demanding work. Minor muscle and joint pain generally occurs in specific areas of the body and subsides one to two days after onset. However, some muscle aches and joint pain can be an indication of a serious medical condition such as lupus, arthritis, bursitis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.
Lupus
Lupus is a chronic condition that causes the body's immune system to attack healthy muscle tissue. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are four types of lupus; of the four, systemic lupus erythematosus is the most common and serious form. In addition to causing muscle aches, systemic lupus erythematosus affects the skin, kidneys, lungs and joints. The cause of systemic lupus erythematosus has not been determined, but it is more common in women and people between the ages of 15 and 45. While a physician may treat the disease itself with immunosuppressive drugs, he normally will recommend a patient treat the muscle aches and joint pain associated with lupus with pain relievers such as ibuprofen.
Arthritis
Pain, stiffness and swelling of the joints caused by inflammation are signs of arthritis. Arthritis occurs when cartilage, the membrane that protects joints, is damaged. MedLinePlus reports that joint pain from arthritis generally results from a broken bone, general "wear and tear" of a joint, or an infection. Arthritis affects nearly one out of every seven people. While not all forms of arthritis are curable, treatment focusing on the elimination of the pain is recommended; often this means lifestyle changes to prevent further damage.
Gout
Gout is a form of arthritis occurring as a result of uric acid crystals forming around a joint, causing painful swelling. According to MedlinePlus, the cause of gout is unknown, but the condition is more common among men and people who drink alcohol. MedlinePlus also reports that over 50 percent of people affected by gout will have future attacks. Ibuprofen and colchicines are the most effective treatments for gout; however, the Mayo Clinic also recommends dietary changes, such as increasing water consumption and eliminating alcohol, to reduce the risk of gout.
Bursitis
Bursitis occurs when small fluid-filled sacs, or bursae, that cushion the muscles and tendons around joints become inflamed. Most common in larger joints and joints associated with repetitive motion, such as the shoulders and hips, bursitis is temporary and prone to flare-ups. Joints affected by bursitis are generally stiff and sore to the touch. The most common treatments associated with bursitis are rest, icing the area, and ibuprofen.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is a lifelong auto-immune disease that causes painful inflammation of joints and surrounding muscle. MedlinePlus reports that RA equally affects joints on both sides of the body, with the wrists, fingers, knees, feet and ankles most commonly afflicted. The damage caused by RA leads to permanent deformation of the joints and surrounding areas. It is common for those diagnosed with RA to require joint replacement at some point. RA requires treatment with medication, physical therapy, exercise and eventually surgery.
