Why does my body ache?
Medically reviewed by Gregory Minnis, DPT — Written by Bethany Cadman on June 11, 2019
Symptoms
Possible causes
Home treatments
When to see a doctor
Outlook
Body aches are common. They can result from tiredness or exercise, but they can also be a symptom of an underlying condition.
While body aches are usually harmless, it is helpful to understand what causes them and when to seek medical attention.
Body aches can vary in intensity and frequency. A person may describe them as sharp, intermittent pains or a dull but persistent ache.
People can often identify and treat body aches without seeing a doctor. Sometimes, however, they may need medical help.
Signs and symptoms
Body aches can occur alongside pain, fatigue, and weakness.
If body aches are due to a medical condition, a person may experience other symptoms as well. Recognizing other signs can help a person identify the cause and decide whether they should see a doctor.
Some common symptoms that occur alongside body aches are:
pain in a specific part of the body
weakness
fatigue
shivers or changes in body temperature
cold and flu-like symptoms
Possible causes
Body aches may occur for many different reasons. Most are easily treatable and relatively harmless, but sometimes body aches can be due to more serious medical conditions.
Possible causes of body aches include:
Fibromyalgia
Pain, fatigue, and muscle stiffness are all symptoms of fibromyalgia, a long-term condition that causes aches and pains throughout the body.
Fibromyalgia may result from the way the central nervous system processes pain messages when they occur in the body.
Infections and viruses
The flu, the common cold, and other viral or bacterial infections can cause body aches.
When such infections occur, the immune system sends white blood cells to fight off the infection.
This can result in inflammation, which can leave the muscles in the body feeling achy and stiff.
Medications
Some medicines and drugs, such as statins and blood pressure medications, have side effects that make the body feel sore, stiff, and achy.
Withdrawal symptoms from alcohol and certain drugs, including cocaine and opiates, can also have a similar effect.
Fluid retention
When the body retains fluid, swelling and inflammation may develop, resulting in general muscular aches and pains. A person may also experience sharp, localized pains and cramps.
Conditions that can lead to fluid retention include:
thyroid problems, especially an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
congestive heart failure
cirrhosis of the liver
severe malnutrition
chronic kidney disease and nephrotic syndrome
venous insufficiency
problems with lymphatic drainage
Each of these conditions needs specific treatment, but some home remedies can reduce the impact of water retention.
Learn more here about fluid retention, why it happens, and how to manage it.
Hypokalemia
Hypokalemia is when a person has low potassium in their bloodstream.
Low potassium affects the way nerves and muscles function, which can result in body aches, weakness, fatigue, and muscle cramps.
Stress
Stress can cause tension in the body and can also weaken the immune system. This may make the muscles feel stiff, as well as affect the body’s response to inflammation and infection.
Dehydration
Staying hydrated is essential to keep a person’s body functioning well. Dehydration can sometimes cause a person to feel tired and sore.
Lack of sleep
A lack of sleep can result in aches and pains.
Scientists think there might be a two-way link between sleep and pain.
People who experience chronic pain often find it hard to sleep. At the same time, research has found that people with insomnia often experience chronic pain.
Over time, not getting enough sleep can lead to exhaustion. This may make the body feel achy, sluggish, and heavy.
Lack of sleep also affects the body’s ability to repair tissues and cells. When the body does not have sufficient time to repair and recuperate, a person may experience aches and pains more frequently.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be very dangerous without treatment. Pneumonia may result in an inability to get enough oxygen into the body.
Without enough oxygen, red blood cells and tissues in the body are not able to function properly, which may cause aches and pains.
Find out more here about pneumonia.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
In a similar way to a person who does not get enough sleep, someone with CFS may experience muscular aches in addition to insomnia, exhaustion, and weakness.
Arthritis
Arthritis occurs when a person’s joints become inflamed. Arthritis can result from wear and tear on the body or may be a result of an autoimmune condition that causes the immune system to attack the healthy tissues that line the joints.
Pain and achiness are common symptoms of arthritis.
Autoimmune disorders
Various autoimmune disorders can cause body aches. These include:
Lupus: This occurs