Muscle pain after exercise that lasts days
Overview
Muscle pain after exercise that lasts for days is a common condition characterized by soreness, stiffness, and discomfort in the muscles following physical activity. This delayed-onset muscle soreness typically peaks 24-72 hours after exercise and can make movement difficult or painful.
Common Causes
Muscle pain that persists for several days after exercise is typically caused by microscopic tears in muscle fibers that occur during intense or unfamiliar physical activity. This is especially common when starting a new workout routine, increasing exercise intensity, or performing movements your muscles aren't accustomed to. Dehydration, inadequate warm-up or cool-down, and insufficient recovery time between workouts can also contribute to prolonged muscle soreness. Poor nutrition, lack of sleep, and not stretching properly may extend the recovery period and intensify discomfort.
Severity Levels
Mild: You may feel some muscle tenderness and slight stiffness that doesn't interfere with your daily activities. The discomfort is noticeable but manageable, and you can still perform normal movements without significant difficulty.
Moderate: Muscle soreness becomes more pronounced and may limit some of your usual activities. You might experience noticeable stiffness when getting up from sitting or climbing stairs, but you can still function with some discomfort.
Severe: The pain significantly impacts your ability to perform daily tasks and normal movements become quite difficult. You may have trouble with basic activities like walking, lifting objects, or even getting dressed, and the discomfort may interfere with sleep.
Medical Attention
Seek medical attention if your muscle pain is severe and doesn't improve after a week, or if you experience extreme swelling, dark-colored urine, or signs of infection like fever. You should also consult a healthcare provider if the pain prevents you from performing daily activities or if you have numbness, tingling, or loss of muscle function. If you have underlying health conditions or take medications that might affect muscle recovery, consider discussing persistent soreness with your doctor.
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