Body pain can range from minor aches to debilitating total body pain. The causes can be as simple as the flu or something more serious, such as fibromyalgia. Finding the cause of the discomfort is the first step in treating it. If you experience pain with fever or other serious symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting, seek emergency medical help.
Theories/Speculation
Pain is a necessary sensation. It provides a warning to your brain that something is not right. Without the sensation of pain, you would suffer injuries and wouldn't know it. Generalized body pain can mean systemic problems in your body that need to be addressed. However, the pain receptors can malfunction and cause pain without any underlying cause.
Flu Pain
The flu can cause temporary body aches and pains. The pain usually begins before other symptoms appear. Body pain from the flu can take the form of muscle aches and pains or bone and joint pain. The pain results from your immune system trying to fight the influenza virus.
Fibromyalgia Pain
Fibromyalgia causes pain throughout the body. According to the Mayo Clinic, fibromyalgia is a chronic disease characterized by pain in the muscles, tendons and ligaments. In addition, it causes fatigue and has trigger points. Trigger points are places on your body where light pressure results in pain. The pain of fibromyalgia is described as a persistent dull ache, usually coming from the muscles. It is not known what causes fibromyalgia.
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease, caused by tick bites, can lead to widespread body pain. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lyme disease can infect many parts of the body, resulting in different symptoms at varying times. After a few months, about 60 percent of people with untreated Lyme disease will start having intermittent episodes of arthritis, with severe joint pain. The large joints are most affected, especially the knees. In addition, 5 percent of untreated patients can develop chronic complaints months or years after infection. Symptoms include shooting pains, tingling and numbness of the extremities, memory problems and problems with concentration.
Idiopathic Peripheral Neuropathy
Idiopathic peripheral neuropathy is pain from an unknown cause. According to Healthline, there is no known cause of idiopathic neuropathies, so they are classified as primary diseases. If a cause is known, then the neuropathy is secondary, and not idiopathic. The first symptoms may include pain, tingling and numbness, muscle weakness or cramps. Depending on the affected group of nerves, other symptoms can vary from decreased vibratory sensation to loss of temperature perception to muscle atrophy.
