Flu why does my body ache

These are common around construction projects, farmlands, or caves, where large amounts of spores are released into the air. Learn more: Histoplasma skin test ». Multiple sclerosis MS is thought to be an autoimmune condition. As a result, you can feel aches, pain, tingling, or other abnormal sensations. If other, milder symptoms last for more than two weeks, see your doctor. They can examine you for a possible underlying condition.

They can then give you a treatment plan to help reduce the aches and treat the cause. Read this article in Spanish. During flu season, having a scratchy throat, body aches, or fatigue can signal the arrival of the flu virus. Detecting early flu symptoms can help….

Learn more about flu symptoms, what you can do to reduce…. It's not always easy to determine if you have a cold or the flu, but knowing the differences helps treatment work more quickly. Muscle pain, or myalgia, is extremely common. Almost everyone has experienced discomfort in their muscles at some point. Learn about causes….

People with diabetes are about twice as likely to have arthritis and joint pain. Learn about the different types, symptoms, and how to treat joint….

Viral gastroenteritis, also known as the stomach flu, is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines. It can be caused by many different viruses…. When experienced together, chills and abdominal pain may be the result of a number of conditions, both bacterial and viral.

Pain is a general term that describes uncomfortable sensations in the body, ranging from annoying to debilitating. Pain stems from activation of the…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Why Does My Body Ache? Written by Tim Jewell on June 12, Keep reading to learn more about what may be causing your symptoms. Watch out for other symptoms of stress and anxiety , such as: abnormally high heart rate increased blood pressure hot flashes or cold sweats hyperventilating abnormal physical shaking headaches, such as tension headaches or migraines If you think stress is causing your body aches, make small changes to your daily lifestyle to reduce your stress as much as possible.

Try these steps: Meditate for a few minutes per day. Focus on your breathing and take your mind off the people or events causing you stress. Take a walk or leave a stressful environment to remove yourself from triggers. Share your feelings of stress with someone you trust to help articulate the cause of your stress.

Lack of sleep. Other symptoms of sleep deprivation include: confusion or disorientation falling asleep during the day without realizing it trouble understanding when reading or listening to others trouble speaking properly trouble remembering things Try to establish a consistent sleep schedule every night.

Try techniques to relax before bed, such as: drinking hot tea or other hot beverage meditating listening to music or a podcast having white noise in the room, such as from a fan.

Cold or flu. Other common symptoms of a cold or flu include: sore throat hoarse voice sneezing or coughing thick, colored mucus headaches or earaches Getting rest, drinking plenty of water, and gargling with warm salt water to ease your throat pain can help your body get over a cold or the flu quickly. Other symptoms of anemia include: exhaustion abnormal heart rate dizziness or disorientation head or chest pain cold feet or hands pale skin Anemia has many causes.

Vitamin D deficiency. One of the most distinct symptoms of the flu influenza is painful body aches. Additionally, body aches can leave you feeling weak, fatigued, and extremely exhausted. Fortunately, they can be treated and managed successfully. When a person gets the flu, natural chemicals are released in the body to help it fight off the infection.

Muscle aches and pain are produced by this immune response. While it may not feel like it, body aches are a good sign because your body is doing what it is supposed to do to help you get better. Dehydration may also contribute to body aches when you have the flu. The body always needs water to prevent muscle cramping and soreness, and this is even more important when you are sick. Some people experience aches and pains every time they get the flu, while others rarely do. Older adults and people with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and autoimmune diseases , tend to experience more aches when they have the flu because their bodies have a harder time fighting off the infection.

Anytime the body has to work harder, more aches and pains are experienced. People who live in colder climates may experience more body aches with the flu as well. When the body is exposed to cold temperatures, it is more prone to soreness. In addition to body aches, common flu symptoms include cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, and fatigue.

Some people may have a fever, and less commonly, vomiting or diarrhea. There are several things you can do to help manage your body aches as you try to recover from the flu. Over-the-counter pain relievers may help make you more comfortable. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications NSAIDs are more likely to help with aches than other pain relievers like Tylenol acetaminophen.

If you can't take NSAID pain relievers due to kidney problems, stomach issues, or other medical concerns, talk to your healthcare provider about alternative treatments for your body aches. Aspirin should not be given to children under age 18, especially when they have the flu, due to the risk of Reye's syndrome. When you're sick with a flu or fever, your body tends to lose a lot more fluids due to excess sweating, and in some cases, vomiting or diarrhea.

Drinking lots of clear liquids to restore bodily fluids is an important part of helping your body fight infection. To help your body stay hydrated, drink plenty of water, broth, tea, electrolyte drinks, and sports drinks, and choose soup if you're having trouble eating as well. Sleep plays a big role in regulating many of the immune functions that are necessary for healing and reducing inflammation in the body.

Painful body aches may even make resting uncomfortable, but forcing yourself to relax when you have the flu is important. Getting as much sleep and rest as you can gives your body the best chance to fight off the infection.

A warm bath or shower can help loosen your muscles and relieve body pain, but if you have a fever, the water should be kept lukewarm to avoid raising your temperature. Since fevers can cause dizziness and general weakness, it's best to avoid showering if you are experiencing these symptoms.

Children with a fever or cold symptoms should also be monitored when taking a shower or bath to avoid injury. Heating pads and heated blankets can relieve some of your pain. Be careful not to use excessive heat to avoid burns, and consider setting a timer if there's a chance you might fall asleep.

Though receiving a massage won't likely cure your flu overnight, it can indirectly help you recover faster. In addition to alleviating body aches, massage therapy can reduce levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that weakens your immunity by impairing certain infection-fighting white blood cells.

Many massage therapists do not treat people when they are sick, but a friend or family member can lend a hand as well. Massaging with topical relief creams may improve blood flow and further ease your aches; just keep in mind that flu viruses are contagious, and anyone who gives you a massage could be put at risk. Dry air can increase your risk of catching flu-like pathogens or make your flu symptoms worse.

When a flu virus enters your respiratory tract, it gets caught in mucus, which helps prevent infection from spreading. However, when the air is cold and dry, mucus dries up in your airways, making it more difficult for your body to fend the virus off. It can also help fast-track your healing by reducing pain and inflammation in your throat and helping you sleep better.

Although body aches are normal with the flu, if they become more severe than you would expect, you should contact your healthcare provider. It indicates a way to see more nav menu items inside the site menu by triggering the side menu to open and close. Olivia Pennelle.

Muscle aches from the flu are caused by inflammation from the flu virus wreaking havoc on the body's cells. The aches should subside once the virus leaves the body, which could be anytime between a few days and two weeks. Resting, avoiding exercise, applying heat, and taking anti-inflammatories can help reduce pain. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Olivia Pennelle is a freelance writer for Insider. Additional comments. Email optional. Receive a selection of our best stories daily based on your reading preferences.