Thursday, March 21, 2024

What Causes Muscle Soreness And Fatigue

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What Are The Symptoms Of Weak Muscles

What Are The Causes Of Muscle Pain And Fatigue

Muscle weakness: Symptoms. Symptoms that accompany muscle weakness vary depending on the underlying cause. Common symptoms include fever, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, paresthesia, weight loss and change in level of consciousness. Other accompanying symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, slurred speech, paralysis and changes in vision.

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Overtraining And Muscle Exhaustion

Overtraining syndrome often leads to extreme fatigue, according to a 2017 review published in Sports Medicine. The hormonal changes that occur in your body when you work out too hard or for too long can interfere with the recovery process and affect your performance.

If you’re spending long hours in the gym, your body doesn’t have time to recover. At this point, every training session puts even greater stress on your muscles and joints. You may experience performance plateaus, slow post-workout recovery, general fatigue, low energy, poor sleep and even depression.

A 2016 research article published in the Open Access Journal of Sports Medicine suggests that overtraining syndrome can affect immune function and increase oxidative stress levels. In addition to muscle fatigue, it may cause high blood pressure, irritability, anxiety, loss of motivation, mood swings, poor mental focus and weight loss. Researchers point out that simple preventive measures, such as staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet and keeping a training log, can help prevent overtraining and its symptoms.

Genetic Conditions Affecting Muscles

Muscular dystrophies: these are inherited diseases which affect muscles. They are rare disorders but the best known and most common is Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This occurs in children and leads to gradual loss of muscle power from toddler-hood.

Some rare muscular dystrophies: these can present in adulthood and include Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome and the facioscapulohumeral dystrophies. They also cause gradual loss of power and function in muscles. Those who have these conditions may become wheelchair-bound.

Sarcoidosis: this is a rare disease in which clumps of cells form in skin, lungs and soft tissues, including muscles. The condition usually goes away after a few years.

Amyloidosis involves deposits of an ‘unhelpful’ abnormal protein called amyloid throughout the body, including muscles and kidneys.

Other rare causes: direct damage to muscles can occur in rare inherited metabolic conditions. Examples include:

  • Glycogen storage diseases .
  • Even rarer, mitochondrial diseases which occur when the energy systems inside muscle cells don’t work properly.

Myotonic dystrophy: this is a rare genetic muscle disorder in which muscles become extremely tired. Myotonic dystrophies are passed down through families and they tend to occur earlier and become worse as they move through the generations.

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The Controversy Around Vitamin D Needs

Although many health experts are concerned about the widespread low levels of vitamin D, others think it’s more of a problem with the numbers.

The current definition of a vitamin D deficiency is a blood level that falls below 35 ng/mL. Researchers published in the New England Journal of Medicine in November 2016 consider that cutoff number is too high and, because of that, people are misdiagnosed as deficient when they’re not. A report published in the Oct-Dec 2015 edition of the Indian Journal of Community Medicine agrees.

However, other practitioners, like functional medicine doctor Dr. Mark Hyman and Dr. Michael Holick, director of the Bone Health Care Clinic at the Boston University Medical Center, think that the 30 ng/mL cut off is actually too low and that higher levels may be better, reported in June 2018 in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

Biomarker For The Diagnosis Of Muscle Fatigue

Recovering From Muscle Soreness After Workout

At present, there are still no specific factors that have been consistently associated with a particular type of fatigue. Exercise types , contraction type , and fatigue degree and duration all affect the biomarker profile. According to the mechanism and metabolic changes during muscle fatigue, three categories of biomarkers have been determined: ATP metabolism biomarkers, such as lactate, ammonia and hypoxanthine Oxidative stress biomarkers , such as lipid peroxidation, protein peroxidation, and antioxidative capacity and Inflammatory biomarkers, such as TNF-, leukocytes, and interleukins.

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Options For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment

Although there is no cure for chronic fatigue syndrome and no medications that exist specifically to treat it, there are ways to manage the symptoms and keep them bearable. Since one of the most common symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome is joint pain, it is helpful for many chronic pain sufferers to use a topical cream such as JointFlex to reduce achy muscles and joint symptoms that occur with this condition. Cognitive counseling may help patients regain control of their lives by managing fatigue and joint pain symptoms.2,5,6 It is also recommended that chronic fatigue patients consult a physical therapist to find exercises that are safe to perform and that get the body moving to fight fatigue, boost energy and relieve joint pain. Simple stretching exercises and range-of-motion workouts are very effective in helping individuals overcome chronic fatigue and have enough energy to do the activities they love.

Cervicomedullary Region Electrical Stimulation

Electrical stimulation in the cervicomedullary region aims to activate the corticospinal tract at a subcortical level, thereby eliminating cortical contributions to the evoked muscle response. The muscular response recorded by EMG is known as the cervicomedullary motor-evoked potential . Comparison of MEP and CMEP is helpful for the localization of excitability at the cortical or subcortical level. During a sustained 30% MVC of the plantar flexors, a large increase in MEP and only a slight increase in CMEP have been reported, thus suggesting a small contribution of spinal factors to the increase in corticospinal excitability during submaximal fatiguing contractions. In contrast, during 50% MVC of the elbow flexors to task failure, similar MEP and CMEP kinetics has been found, thus indicating that central changes occur almost entirely at the spinal level., ,

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Stretch If You Feel Like It

For something so many of us do either before or after exercise, there isn’t a whole lot of evidence that stretching is effective at reducing injury risk.

“A lot of athletes say that if they don’t stretch, they feel more sore the next day,” Dr Halson said.

“But in terms of scientific evidence to say we should be stretching after exercise, there’s not a huge amount.”

For those who find it beneficial, there’s no reason to stop, she said.

“Stretching can be something that might reduce soreness and stiffness, especially if you’re someone that’s doing something you’re not really accustomed to.”

Six Possible Causes Of Body Aches And Fatigue: What To Know

Causes of Muscle Fatigue: Anatomy and Physiology

Are you wondering why you are experiencing body aches and fatigue at the same time? Generally, body aches are common. When a person suffers from this, he or she can also experience other symptoms, such as pain in a particular body area, cold and flu-like symptoms, and fatigue. Hence, body aches and fatigue usually come together. Sometimes, these may also bring some dental pain. If that happens, you can visit Advanced Dental Care Dubbos services.

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Sleep Disorders And Fatigue

Symptoms: Chronic fatigue, feeling exhausted upon awakening, snoring

Sleep disorders are a group of conditions that disrupt or prevent restful, restorative sleep. That can take a toll on your health and quality of life, so its important to look out for signs and symptoms.

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Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders. If you or your partner notices loud snoring and you wake up tired and stay that way, you could have sleep apnea. More than one-third of adults in the U.S. snore at least a few nights a week. But if the snoring stops your breathing for seconds at a time, it could be sleep apnea. Learn more about the best sleep positions and see if sleeping on your stomach is bad or not.

Obstructive sleep apnea causes low blood oxygen levels. That’s because blockages prevent air from getting to the lungs. The low oxygen levels also affect how well your heart and brain work. Sometimes, the only clue that you might have sleep apnea is chronic fatigue.

Your doctor may prescribe a medical device called CPAP that helps keep your airways open while you sleep. In severe cases of sleep apnea, surgery may help. The surgeon will remove tissues that are blocking the airways. If left untreated, sleep apnea can increase your risk of a stroke or heart attack.

But sleep apnea is just one of many sleep disorders that cause fatigue. Other common types include:

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Does Doms Cause Muscle Fatigue

Another possible cause of muscle fatigue is DOMS, or delayed-onset muscle soreness, which often occurs after performing a workout you’re not used to, according to a 2016 study featured in The Journal of Physiological Sciences. If you’ve just started to exercise or you’re trying new workouts, you have a greater risk of developing this condition. Movements that involve eccentric muscle contractions are more likely to cause DOMS.

Its symptoms range from muscle fatigue and soreness to diminished physical performance. In fact, DOMS is a very mild form of rhabdomyolysis, a life-threatening condition. If you keep pushing yourself in the gym before the soreness has resolved, you’ll cause further damage to your muscles. This may lead to full-blown rhabdomyolysis and affect kidney function.

As you see, too much exercise can be just as bad as no exercise at all. Spending more time in the gym doesn’t guarantee faster gains or improved performance. On the contrary, it can fatigue your muscles and stall your progress. Any exercise routine you’re not used to can cause DOMS, so try to gradually change workout intensity, duration and frequency.

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How Can I Best Learn To Cope With Musculoskeletal Pain

To help yourself cope with musculoskeletal pain:

  • Avoid smoking, which increases inflammation.
  • Eat a healthy, non-inflammatory diet.
  • Rest the injured muscle, joint or bone.
  • Stretch daily or as often as your healthcare provider advises.
  • Take pain medications as prescribed.
  • Use ice and heat to decrease swelling and inflammation.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Musculoskeletal pain can cause discomfort and disrupt your daily activities. Sometimes, a sudden injury such as a broken bone causes severe pain. For some people, underlying conditions like arthritis or fibromyalgia lead to pain. Whether your musculoskeletal pain is acute or chronic, the right treatment can relieve your symptoms.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 03/10/2021.

References

Lactic Acid As A Fuel For Muscles

5 Diseases that Cause Muscle Pain and Weakness

Research has also determined that lactic acid, also known as lactate, is actually an important fuel source for muscles and that the accumulation of lactate does not inhibit the ability of skeletal muscles to contract.

Furthermore, the notion that lactic acid is responsible for delayed onset muscle soreness, or DOMS, was debunked in the 1980s. Research suggests the soreness is a result of a cascade of physiological effects in response to microscopic trauma sustained during intense exercise. That cascade includes inflammation in the muscles in response to the microtrauma.

As with many fields of science, the research on lactic acid and its link to muscle fatigue has evolved over the last century. And it indicates that lactic acid isnt the culprit it was once thought to be when it comes to muscle fatigue.

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Arthritis As A Cause Of Joint Pain And Fatigue

The breakdown of fluids between the joints is responsible for rheumatoid arthritis . In the initial stages, the condition tends to be more severe during the morning hours. However, the pain gradually worsens and makes the patient feel uncomfortable for the most part of the day. This is also accompanied by exacerbating fatigue. Rheumatoid arthritis will affect the joints in the wrists, hands and elbows as well as the neck and shoulders. It should also be noted that in the lower extremities, the condition tends to affect the hips, ankles and knees in addition to the joints in the toes. The irritation that tends to affect the joints is responsible for the release of cytokines into the system. This is one of the common causes of fatigue which a person undergoes. This apart, a poor appetite which is common among those suffering with arthritis pain adds to the level of fatigue. Due to a massive loss of stamina, a lot of people tend to feel more fatigued. This is one of the reasons why they restrict the amount of activities they engage in.

I Have Muscle Weakness

If you have muscle weakness and visit your doctor, they will first need to know the following:

  • How it began and how long you have had it for.
  • Whether it is getting worse, getting better or staying the same.
  • Whether you are otherwise well, are losing weight or have travelled abroad recently.
  • What medicines or other drugs you have been taking and whether there are any muscle problems in your family.

Your doctor will need to examine you to see which muscles are affected and whether you have true or perceived muscle weakness. They will check to see whether your muscles are tender to touch or unusually ‘fatigable’. They may want to watch you walk.

They will then need to test your nerves to see whether the muscles are getting the right signals to act. Your doctor may need to test your central nervous system, including your balance and co-ordination. They may need to perform blood tests to look for abnormalities of hormones, salts and blood cells.

Depending on the results of these tests your doctor may also order the following:

  • Nerve studies to make sure the nerves are conducting properly.
  • A muscle biopsy to see whether the muscles themselves show signs of inflammation or damage. A biopsy is a procedure where a small sample is taken to look at under the microscope.
  • Body scans such as CT or MRI to look for conditions elsewhere in the body which may affect muscle power and function.

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Causes Muscle Weakness And Fatigue

Weakness and fatigue are nonspecific symptoms that may be encountered in a bewildering number of medical and psychiatric disorders they also may be the expected physiologic consequence of normal human activities 17). Most patients with weakness or fatigue have self-limited conditions and do not seek medical care. Among those who visit a physician, weakness and fatigue are often part of an easily identified symptom complex. The patient who presents with chronic weakness or fatigue as the sole or major complaint may represent a more difficult diagnostic and therapeutic problem.

The bedside examination is of unique value in evaluating these symptoms. The initial history and physical examination usually allow the clinician to characterize the problem as medical, psychiatric, or physiologic in origin. In a specific patient, weakness or fatigue may be due to multiple causes, or the cause may not be initially apparent.

A precise understanding of the patients description of weakness or fatigue is imperative. Is there a loss of muscle strength, or is the problem a vague loss of energy, weariness, or lassitude? True weakness usually indicates a medical disorder. Fatigue, in contrast, may result from medical, psychiatric, or physiologic causes. Other symptoms should not be confused with weakness. For example, some patients speak of weakness when they are actually experiencing shortness of breath, generalized malaise, or joint pain and limitation of motion.

What Are The Causes And Symptoms Of Muscle Fatigue

Do Statins Cause Permanent Muscle Fatigue?

As far as what causes muscle fatigue, there are a number of physical, environmental, biochemical, and nutritional factors involved. Some physiology experts suggest that a failure of the nervous system to communicate with muscle tissue or issues with metabolic processes are causes of muscle fatigue.

Heres a more specific look at what we know about muscle fatigue causes:

Lactic acid: This acid is released during physical exertion and used as energy. When the body has used all the lactate it can handle, the remaining lactate is stored in the muscles, which leads to increased acidity in the muscles. This acidity causes muscle pain, soreness, spasms, and cramps. Lactic acid can build up when a process called anaerobic respiration occurs. This happens when oxygen is used up and decreases to the point where cells start respiring anaerobically.

Mineral deficiencies: Minerals, vitamins, and electrolytes are required for muscle function, but if a person is deficient in minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium, as well as other important nutrients, it can lead to muscle fatigue and cramps. This is why whole-food sources and drinks, as well as supplements, are so important to athletes.

Reduced activity: Some people can feel a lack of energy and find it difficult to finish activities. This kind of muscle weakness may be due to inadequate blood flow to the extremities. Note that this could be a sign of high blood pressure or a heart condition as well.

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Comparing Statin To Statin Do Some Cause More Or Less Muscle Pain Study: No Evidence For That

It has been suggested that some statins would cause less muscle problems than others. A March 2021 paper in the Journal of general internal medicine made a comparison. This is what the researchers documented:

Statins are effective lipid-lowering drugs for the prevention of cardiovascular disease, but muscular adverse events can limit their use. Hydrophilic statins may cause less muscular events than lipophilic statins due to lower passive diffusion into muscle cells. The statin users were divided into groups:

New patient group 1: pravastatin 20-40 mg vs simvastatin 10-20 mg .

New patient group 2: rosuvastatin 5-40 mg vs atorvastatin 10-80 mg

New patient group 3: simvastatin 40-80 mg vs atorvastatin 10-20 mg.

Following the start of these prescriptions, the researchers waited until the first symptoms of muscular event during a maximum follow-up of 1 year. Each statin had their results recorded and compared against its group counterpart.

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