Pain in the muscles and joints is frequently termed "arthritis" by patients and sometimes by doctors, but most "arthritis" is not arthritis at all. True arthritis affects the joints, and the joints are red, warm, swollen, and painful to move. "Arthralgia" means pain without inflammation in the joints. "Myalgia" means pain in the muscles. these pains are not arthritis but can be very bothersome. Usually they are not serious and will go away. They can be caused by tension, virus infections, unusual exertion, accidents, or they can have no obvious cause. Only seldom do they indicate a serious disease.

There are over 100 types of arthritis and rheumatism. The four most common types are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and spondylitis. Osteoarthritis is usually not serious, occurs in later life, and frequently causes knobby swelling of the end joints of the fingers. Rheumatoid arthritis usually starts in middle or later life and may cause you to feel sick and stiff all over in addition to the joint problems. Gout occurs mostly in men, with sudden, severe attacks of pain and swelling, usually in one joint at a time-frequently the big toe, the ankle, or the knee. Spondylitis affects the back and joints of the low back and may be suspected if your back is sore for a long time, particularly stiff in the morning, and you are unable to touch your toes.

Arthralgia and myalgia syndromes are much more common than true arthritis. Doctors often do not agree on diagnostic terms in this area, and two doctors may give different names to your problem. Arthralgia and myalgia seldom progress to a serious condition. the consequences of arthritis occur very slowly and are often better prevented than corrected. Arthritis, arthralgia, and myalgia result in more lost work days due to sickness than any other category of disease.

Only rarely does a patient with arthritis or arthralgia need to be seen by a physician immediately. Home treatment will usually resolve the problem. The relative emergencies are: (1) infection, (2) nerve damage, (3) fractures near a joint, and (4) gout. In the first three, serious damage may result if the joint is neglected; and in the fourth, the pain is so intense that immediate help is needed. Fever, weight loss, or other symptoms besides pain, or pain persisting for six weeks or more indicates the need to see the doctor if there is no obvious minor cause for these symptoms.

Both rest and exercise are important in treating muscle and joint pain. Try to relax and gently stretch the involved areas. Warm baths, massage, and stretching exercises should be used as frequently as possible. Sponge-soled shoes may help if you walk or stand on hard floors. Better light to help you relax a bit farther from the page or a better chair may help if you spend a lot of time at a desk. Regular exercise, slowly increased from every gentle move to more vigorous, can help restore the proper muscle tone; I recommend walking, bicycling, and swimming. Aspirin and ibuprofen are available over the counter and may be used in low to moderate doses. You can significantly reduce the chance of muscle and joint pain with these treatments.