Muscle Aches & Unexplained Weight Loss

Muscle aches and unexplained weight loss may be something simple, or it could be a sign of something more ominous. Diseases causing these symptoms can range from simple nutrition deficiencies to more serious auto-immune conditions. Muscle aches alone are not a major cause of concern. However, when accompanied by unexplained weight loss and other symptoms, it should be evaluated by your doctor.

According to Med Line Plus, muscle aches are frequently caused by tension, overuse or muscle injury from exercise or work. The pain involves specific muscles and begins during or soon after the activity causing the injury. It can also be a sign of conditions affecting your entire body, such as infections like the flu and HIV/AIDS. In addition, other disorders affecting the connective tissues throughout the body such as lupus may cause muscle aches along with weight loss and other symptoms.

Unexplained weight loss should be investigated by your doctor. According to Mayo Clinic, unexplained weight loss is when you lose pounds without dieting. Unexplained weight loss can be a symptom of an underlying medical disorder. If you unexpectedly lose five percent of your body weight or the weight loss continues, there could be a medical reason for it and should be investigated, especially if other symptoms are present.

The human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, causes many symptoms. Among those symptoms is muscle aches and unexplained weight loss. According to PDRhealth.com, primary HIV infection may have no symptoms or you could experience a brief flu-like illness. Symptoms of an early HIV infection can include fever, nausea, muscle aches and joint pain. The initial symptoms of the primary infection get better without treatment in a few weeks, and there might not be any more symptoms for 10 years or longer. After a latent, symptom-free period, symptoms appear, including unexplained weight loss, muscle aches, fever and night sweats.

Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory condition affecting the hip and shoulder. According to Medline Plus, polymyalgia rheumatica is a disorder occurring in people over 50. The etiology is unknown. Symptoms are located mainly in the muscles, and there are no obvious signs of arthritis. However, there is sometimes evidence of inflammatory arthritis. The symptoms include unexplained weight loss and muscle aches. The symptoms usually appear suddenly, but with proper treatment, it usually subsides within four years.

Muscle aches when experienced with no other symptoms usually can be explained as something minor. However, when accompanied with other symptoms such as weight loss, you could have a medical condition that needs to be addressed by your doctor. There are many reasons for unexplained weight loss and muscle aches. Talk to your doctor and let him decide if you have something you should worry about.