Many diseases and conditions can cause muscle tension or stiffness. These range from common ailments like stress to rarer, more serious conditions.
Common Causes of Muscle Tension
- Stress: Chronic stress can lead to prolonged muscle tension, often in the shoulders, neck, and back. As noted by the American Psychological Association (https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/body), sudden stress causes immediate muscle tension, while chronic stress leads to persistent tightness.
- Myofascial Pain Syndrome: This condition, explained by the Mayo Clinic (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/myofascial-pain-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20375444), involves pain in muscles and the fascia (the tissue surrounding muscles). It's a long-term pain condition.
- Overexertion or Injury: Intense exercise or muscle strain can result in temporary or persistent muscle stiffness. Cleveland Clinic (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/25147-muscle-stiffness) highlights that muscle stiffness is common after intense exercise or inactivity.
- Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD): This specific voice disorder, described by the University of Michigan Health (https://www.uofmhealth.org/conditions-treatments/ear-nose-throat/muscle-tension-dysphonia), involves tightness in the muscles around the larynx (voice box).
More Serious Conditions Associated with Muscle Tension
- Fibromyalgia: This condition is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory, and mood issues.
- Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus): This autoimmune disease can cause inflammation and pain in various parts of the body, including muscles.
- Polymyalgia Rheumatica: As explained by the Better Health Channel (http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/polymyalgia-rheumatica), this condition primarily affects older adults, causing muscle pain and stiffness, typically in the shoulders and hips.
- Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS): Multiple sources, including Johns Hopkins Medicine (https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/stiff-person-syndrome-sps), NORD (https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/stiff-person-syndrome/), and Medical News Today (https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/rigid-muscles), describe SPS as a rare neurological disorder leading to progressive muscle stiffness and painful spasms. It's an autoimmune condition.
Remember, this information is for general knowledge and should not be considered medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment of muscle tension or related symptoms.
