Reasons Your Body Aches

When You Ache All Over

Muscle pain that affects a small part of your body is usually caused by overuse -- sore arms from lifting boxes all day, for example. Or it could be a minor injury, like a bruised shoulder after a fall. But when you ache all over your body, it’s more likely caused by an infection, illness, or medicine you’ve taken.

The Flu

When a flu virus hits, it brings on fever and congestion, and it can make your muscles ache, especially in your back, legs, and arms. It usually gets better on its own in a week or so, but call your doctor if it doesn’t. You also should see him if you have other health problems and you get the flu or you have a cough that doesn’t go away.

Hypothyroidism

This is when your thyroid gland doesn’t make enough of certain key hormones. It can cause muscle and joint aches, as well as swelling and tenderness. It can make you tired and lead to memory problems, thinning hair, dry skin, high cholesterol, slowed heart rate, and other issues. Your doctor can do a simple blood test to find out if you have it, and if so, drugs can help replace the missing hormones.

Blood Flow Problem

If you have pain in your arms, legs, or both, your muscles may not be getting enough blood -- a problem called claudication. At first, you may notice it only when you exercise, but in time, you might feel it when you sit or walk. This is usually caused by a condition called arteriosclerosis, which is when there’s blockage in the tubes that carry blood to your muscles.

Lupus

This is a kind of autoimmune disease -- it causes your immune system, which normally helps protect your body, to attack your tissues and organs. When lupus affects your joints or muscles, it can make them stiff, and it can hurt to move. There’s no cure, but medication and certain exercises can help control your symptoms. Talk to your doctor about what would work best for you.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

This is also an autoimmune disease -- it mainly affects your joints and can lead to bone loss. It can cause pain and inflammation all over your body, and your joints may swell into odd shapes. Medication and physical therapy can help with your symptoms, but there’s no cure. In some cases, you may need surgery to repair the affected joints.

Dermatomyositis

This autoimmune disease makes your muscles and joints ache and causes painful, itchy, red or purple rashes on your eyelids. It also makes spots on your knuckles, elbows, knees, and toes, can dry your skin, thin your hair, and cause swollen, irritated skin around your fingernails. It can be triggered by infection, drugs, or cancer. There’s no cure, but your doctor can help you manage your symptoms with drugs and physical therapy.

Fibromyalgia

This condition can cause pain in your joints and muscles as well as problems with sleep, mood, and memory. Scientists think it happens when your brain takes normal, mild pain signals and mistakenly makes them worse. It may be triggered by illness, surgery, or severe mental stress. Medicine can ease symptoms, and exercise and relaxation techniques like yoga may help, too.

Polymyositis

This happens when something -- possibly a virus or a problem with your immune system -- inflames muscles all over your body, especially in your belly, shoulders, upper arms, hips, and heart. Over time, your muscles can start to break down, and it might be hard to swallow or catch your breath. Your doctor may suggest drugs to ease inflammation or calm your immune system and physical therapy to help you regain muscle strength.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

The main symptom of this condition is extreme tiredness (fatigue) that can’t be explained by anything else. It may get worse with exercise or mental strain, but rest doesn’t make it better. You also may have muscle pain, memory problems, sore throat, joint pain, and headaches, and you may not be able to sleep well. There’s no cure, but medication and physical therapy can help manage your symptoms.

Polymyalgia Rheumatica

This quickly brings pain and stiffness in your shoulders, neck, upper arms, buttocks, hips, or thighs that can be worse in the morning. You also may have fever, fatigue, weight loss, depression, and no appetite. Doctors think certain genes can make you more likely to get it. Something in the environment, like a virus, also may play a part. Steroids can ease pain and inflammation, and your symptoms may go away, but the condition can return.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Bacteria called R. rickettsii  cause it, and a tick bite is usually how you get it. Most of the symptoms are flu-like -- fever, chills, headache, nausea, insomnia, and muscle aches. A rash that doesn't itch can show up on your wrists and ankles after a few days, then spread. Antibiotics treat it, and the sooner you take them, the better. If not treated, it can lead to inflammation in your lungs, heart, and brain, then kidney failure.

Lyme Disease

Bacteria from a tick bite also cause this. It can bring on fever, chills, tiredness, body aches, and a headache. Another sign is a “bull’s-eye” rash that’s clear in the middle and grows over a period of days -- it can be up to 12 inches across. The rashes -- there can be more than one -- don't necessarily show up near the bite. Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics, but some people still have aches and tiredness after finishing the drugs.

Medications

Drugs called statins are used to control high cholesterol, and about 30% of people who take them say they have muscle pain. If this is happening with you, talk to your doctor. She may be able to give you a different medication.

What Your Pet Says About Your Personality

Can a Pet Predict Your Personality?

Are you a cat person or a dog person? The answer may say a lot about your personality. A survey done by the University of Texas at Austin found that some common ideas about pet lovers may be true. You may also be a lot more like your furry friend than you ever realized. Browse our gallery to see where you stand -- and how other Americans divide into cat people vs. dog people.

Personality Trait: Conscientious

The online survey asked people to rate themselves as "cat people" or "dog people." Then people answered questions designed to reveal their true personality. Dog people were 11% more conscientious than cat people. What it means:

• Self-disciplined
• Strong sense of duty
• Tend to be "planners"

Personality Trait: Extroverted

Do you seize the day? If you’re a dog person, it’s likely that you do. Dog people were 15% more extroverted than cat people in the survey. What it means:

• Outgoing
• Enthusiastic
• Positive
• Energetic

Personality Trait: Open

Are you open to trying new things? Cat people were 11% more likely to be open, according to the survey. Open people tend to be:

• Curious
• Creative
• Artistic
• Nontraditional thinkers

Personality Trait: Agreeable

According to the survey, if you're a dog person, you're 13% more likely to be agreeable than a cat person. Agreeable people tend to be:

• Trusting
• Altruistic
• Kind
• Affectionate
• Sociable

Personality Trait: Neurotic

If you get stressed out easily, you may be a cat person. Cat people were 12% more neurotic than dog people. Neurotic people are:

• Easily stressed
• Anxious
• Worriers

The Typical Dog Person

If dogs tend to be energetic, faithful, and easy to get along with, well, so do the people who love them. But survey author and psychologist Sam Gosling, PhD, admits that the differences between cat and dog people aren't huge. "There are certainly many, many cat people who are extroverts and many, many dog people who aren't," Gosling says.

The Typical Cat Person

Do you prefer to spend time on your own? Always game to try new things? Then you could be a cat person. The survey found that cat owners were more likely to be curious, unconventional in thinking and actions, and more prone to worry than dog people.

Dog People Outnumber Cat People

Nearly half of those who took the survey call themselves dog people. Just 12% say they are cat people. How many people love both cats and dogs? A little more than a quarter of the group. Overall, pet lovers rule the nation. Just 15% of people said they don't like cats or dogs.

Doggie Upside: Loving and Loyal

Dogs have rightfully earned their reputation as man’s best friend. No matter the size or breed, a dog provides a lifetime of love and loyalty. Dogs are social animals, and they thrive on human companionship. Certain breeds, such as Rottweilers, also make excellent protectors.

Doggie Downside: Must Be Trained

Even the best dog can have some not-so-cute behaviors. Dogs bark, jump up, dig, tug at the leash, or even growl and bite. To curb bad behavior, you need to teach your dog what’s OK and what’s not. Some dogs are easy to train, while others take more time and practice. Either way, your time and money spent on obedience classes will make your dog a delightful pal for years to come.

Kitty Upside: Independent

Cats are famously low-maintenance. They don't need to be bathed or taken for walks. They can be left on their own for hours at a time. Even though cats like to do their own thing, they still need plenty of love and attention. Devote some time each day to playing with your cat, grooming her, or just giving her some TLC.

Kitty Downside: Can Be Standoffish

Some cats love to socialize, but others prefer to stay hidden, especially when new people visit. In fact, your friends may not even realize you have a cat! Cats who weren’t around people enough as kittens may be skittish. Even the friendliest cat will jump off your lap and sashay off when he’s had enough of your attention.

Doggie Upside: Boundless Energy

If you’re looking for a playmate, it doesn’t get much better than a dog. Most breeds are playful and love to be outdoors. A dog can be a great companion for jogging, hiking, or a leisurely stroll in the park. If you’re trying to get in shape, Fido is a fantastic exercise companion. Exercise is as important for dogs as it is for people.

Doggie Downside: Hair Everywhere

All dogs shed at least a little, even the breeds thought to be better for people with allergies. The longer and thicker the coat, the more dog hair you'll find on your clothes, rugs, and furniture. Dogs' coats can also get dirty and matted, so expect to bathe and brush your dog or pay someone to do it for you.

Kitty Upside: Cozy Companion

When it comes to cuddling, cats take the prize. And most cat owners will tell you the sound of a purring cat is deeply soothing. In fact, when researchers looked closely they found stress levels and blood pressure dropped slightly in people who snuggled up to a purring kitty.

Kitty Downside: The Litter Box

Nobody likes cleaning the litter box. But having one is essential if you have an indoor cat. Your cat’s litter box will need to be cleaned at least once a day. The litter should be changed weekly to avoid unpleasant odors (although some of the newer litters don't need to be changes completely every week). If you have more than one cat, you may need multiple litter boxes to accommodate them.

What Is Your Dog Saying?

If you know dog body language, you can tell how he's feeling and what he's trying to say. Dogs may:

• Widen their eyes if they feel threatened
• "Grin" as a sign of submission
• Hold up ears and tail when alert or aggressive
• Make themselves look smaller when they're scared

What Is Your Cat Saying?

Watch your cat's behavior to figure out her state of mind. Cats may:

• Let the tail droop when sick or unhappy
• Twitch their ears and tail when agitated
• Flutter their eyelids to show trust
• Knead their paws to show contentment

Other Pets to Consider: Rabbits

Rabbits can make great house pets. Besides being soft and adorable, they are quite social and affectionate and can use a litter box. However, they generally don't like to be picked up, which means they may not be ideal for young children. Rabbits also love to chew, and if they're allowed to roam freely in your house they may damage furniture or electrical cords.

Other Pets to Consider: Reptiles

Do your research before getting a lizard, turtle, or snake. Reptiles are not low-maintenance pets. Many can live 15 years or longer, and snakes and lizards can grow to be quite large. Reptiles also need special habitats, and this can be expensive. Carnivorous types need live food, like worms, crickets, or mice.

Other Pets to Consider: Fish

An aquarium full of fish can be fun to watch and a great stress reliever. Choose the type that fits your time and budget. Two goldfish and a fishbowl is an easy start. A saltwater tank full of tropical fish takes more time but can be an absorbing hobby. 

Other Pets to Consider: Birds

If you want a pet you can talk to, a bird is the only way to go. Parrots can put together meaningful phrases and may have a vocabulary of 100 words or more. Even birds that can’t talk are highly intelligent and entertaining – with a long lifespan that offers you companionship for 10 to 40 years, depending on the species.

Should You Keep an Exotic Animal?

Monkeys and sugar gliders have become popular as pets in recent years. Unfortunately, most people don’t realize what they’re getting into when they bring an exotic pet home. Animals may become malnourished or obese if they're not fed the proper diet. They may be destructive or dangerous. Bottom line: Bringing an exotic animal into your home takes extraordinary research and commitment.

What Your Face Says About Your Health

A Look in the Mirror

You’re really familiar with the face staring back at you. But a closer peek may show clues about your health -- if you know what to look for. 

Yellowish Skin and Eyes

This is jaundice. It’s when you have too much of a waste product your body makes when it breaks down red blood cells. It’s common -- and usually harmless -- in babies born before 38 weeks, because their livers aren’t mature enough to work the way they should. In adults, jaundice can mean more serious conditions, like viral infections (hepatitis, mononucleosis); problems with your liver, gallbladder, or pancreas; or alcohol abuse.

Moles

These are spots or bumps, often dark in color. Most are nothing to worry about, but skin checks can help you spot cancer before it spreads. When it comes to moles, remember your ABCDEs:

• Asymmetrical: Is the shape different on each side?
• Border: Is it jagged?
• Color: Is it uneven?
• Diameter: Is it larger than a pea?
• Evolving: Has it changed in the past few weeks?

Talk to your doctor if you answered yes to any of these questions.

Sores

Ones around your lips and mouth are most likely cold sores, which are caused by the type 1 herpes virus. (Most people with oral herpes were infected from saliva as children or young adults, not from sexual contact.) Once you get the virus, it stays with you. Sores may break out when you’re sick, anxious, or overtired, or you’ve been out in the sun too long. They usually go away on their own, but if you have big or frequent outbreaks, your doctor may suggest medication.

Cracked Lips

Everyone gets dry or cracked lips from time to time, especially in winter. Balms can help protect them and keep them moist. But sometimes, dry lips are a sign of a health issue, like dehydration -- when your body doesn’t have enough water. They can also be an allergic reaction or response to a drug, such as steroids.

Butterfly Rash

Most rashes aren’t serious and get better on their own, but this one is unusual. It covers both cheeks in the shape of a butterfly, and it’s a common sign of lupus. That’s a disease that makes your immune system attack your own tissues and organs. You may also have fever, achy and stiff joints, and fingers that turn blue in the cold. See your doctor if you have an unexplained rash, especially if it comes along with those other symptoms.

Hair in Unusual Places

It could just be a hair growing where you don’t want it -- that can happen to men as they get older around the ears and eyebrows, and to women around the chin. In younger women, facial hair can be a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome, a condition that can make it harder to get pregnant.

Drooping Eyelid

Doctors call it ptosis or blepharoptosis. It can happen in one or both eyes -- in severe cases, your eyelid may block your vision. You may be born with it or get it over decades. It’s often harmless, but it can be a sign of problems with your brain, nerves, or eye socket. See your doctor if it happens in days or hours, or if you have double vision, weak muscles, trouble swallowing, or a bad headache -- those can be signs of a stroke.

Can’t Move One Side of Your Face

If you can’t move part of your body, get medical help right away. But if you don’t have other symptoms, it's probably Bell’s palsy. It happens when something -- probably a virus -- presses a nerve that controls muscles in your face or makes it swollen. It shows up over hours or days and usually weakens a side of your face. You also may have pain in your jaw and behind your ear. Usually, it's not serious and gets better in 3 to 6 months. 

Facial Paralysis With Other Symptoms

A stroke happens when the blood flow is cut off to part of your brain because a blood vessel bursts or gets blocked. Get medical help right away if you notice any of these signs of one: the lower part of your face is suddenly paralyzed, or you have numbness or weakness in your arms or legs, slurred speech, double vision, dizziness, or trouble swallowing.

Yellow Spots on Your Eyelids

These raised yellow bumps on and around your upper and lower eyelids are called xanthelasmata. They’re made of cholesterol, and while you may not like the look of them, they’re not dangerous or painful and usually can be taken off. But they can be a sign that you’re more likely to get heart disease or have a heart attack, so it’s a good idea to see your doctor for a physical.

Puffy Eyes

The space below your eyes can fill with fluid, which can make them look swollen or puffy. Hot, humid weather can make your body hold on to more water, as can lack of sleep, too much salty food, and hormone changes. It happens more often as you age because muscles that support your eyelids weaken. If your eyes are red and itchy, it may be an allergic reaction to food, pollen, makeup, fragrances, a cleanser, or an infection like pinkeye.

Melasma

This causes gray-brown patches of skin on your face. Doctors don’t know exactly why it happens, but it can be triggered by things like pregnancy or taking certain birth control pills. In those cases, melasma often fades on its own after the baby is born or the woman stops taking the pills. In other cases, it can last for years. But medicines and other treatments, like chemical peels, can help.

Hair Loss

If you’re losing your eyelashes or eyebrows, along with patches of your hair, it can be a sign of a condition called alopecia areata. It happens when your immune system mistakenly attacks your hair follicles. There’s no way to prevent new patches, but talk with your doctor about medication that might help your hair grow back.

What Your Blood Type Reveals About You?

There are this many major blood types:

• Incorrect!
• Correct Answer: 4

They’re A, B, AB, and O. A tiny bit of protein, called an antigen, on the surface of a red blood cell determines what type you have. If you have the A antigen, you have blood type A; the B antigen gives you blood type B. If you have both A and B, you have blood type AB. If you have no antigens, you have blood type O.

The Rh factor is:

• Correct! You answered: Another kind of antigen

If you have this on your red blood cells, you have a positive blood type. If you don’t, you have a negative blood type. For example, if you have the A antigen and the Rh factor, your blood type is A positive. If you have the B antigen but no Rh factor, your blood type is B negative. A simple blood test can tell you which type you have.

People with this blood type have a lower risk of heart disease:

• Incorrect!
• Correct Answer: O

Type O is the most common type: about 43% of Americans have it. On the flip side, if you have AB blood, you’re at higher risk compared to people with other blood types. That’s also the rarest type -- about 4% of people in the U.S. have it.

This blood type can be used by anyone:

• Correct! You answered: O negative

Ideally, you should get your own blood type if you need a transfusion (when blood from one person is given to another). But in an emergency, O negative can be used by anyone with any blood type. That’s because it doesn’t have any of the antigens -- A, B, or Rh -- that can lead your immune system to attack it. About 7% of people in the U.S. have O negative blood.

People with this type can use blood from anyone else:

• Incorrect!
• Correct Answer: AB positive

They’re known as “universal recipients” because their blood has all the antigens -- A, B, and Rh. If you have this type, your body will recognize any other blood type as its own.

You can lose weight easier if you base your diet on your blood type.

• Correct! You answered: False

You may have heard of this idea, but there’s no evidence to support it. No studies have shown any health effects of specific foods on any blood type.

This factor can cause problems during pregnancy:

• Correct! You answered: Rh negative

A woman’s blood can attack her baby’s blood cells if she’s Rh negative and the baby is Rh positive. This is called rhesus disease, and medication can prevent it. If you’re pregnant, you should have a blood test to find out your Rh factor. If you’re Rh negative, your doctor will recommend that you take the medication to be safe.

Your Score:

4 3

Share your score:

57

Results:

Not bad! You don’t need a course about what’s running through your veins.

Top Reasons for Swollen Feet

Puffy, Tender Tootsies

If one or both of your feet are swollen, it can be hard to move around. And it can hurt, too. It’s not always clear why it happens, but some health conditions can make it more likely.

Edema

This is when your body holds on to too much water. It can make your feet puffy as well as your hands and face. You might notice it after a long airplane flight or if you stand for hours at a time, and some women have it around their monthly period. It usually goes away on its own, but sometimes it can be a sign of a health problem like low protein levels, heart failure, or kidney or liver disease. 

Injury

If you trip or take a wrong step, a swollen foot can be a sign of a broken bone or a sprain -- when the tough, flexible tissue that connects the bones around your ankle tears. Your foot and ankle will likely swell as blood rushes to the area to help heal it. See your doctor if it hurts a lot, you can’t put weight on it, or it doesn’t look right.

Pregnancy

Feet can swell as a natural part of pregnancy because a woman’s body holds on to more water when she’s expecting. It can be worse at the end of the day or after standing for a long time. It’s not usually a sign of a problem for mother or baby, but it can be uncomfortable.

Preeclampsia

While many moms-to-be have swollen feet, if the swelling comes along with a headache, nausea, trouble breathing, or belly pain, it could be a sign of this condition. It starts around 20 weeks into a pregnancy and is linked to high blood pressure. It can damage your liver or kidneys and can be serious if it’s not treated. Be sure to tell your doctor if you’ve had any of these symptoms.

Lymphedema

This is when one or more of your lymph nodes -- small glands that are part of your immune system -- are damaged or removed, as often happens during cancer treatment. As a result, your body gets rid of less fluid, and that can lead to swelling in your arms, legs, and feet. One treatment for this is called pneumatic compression. You wear a sleeve over the affected areas, and air is pumped into it every so often to put pressure there and help move fluid away. Exercises, massage, and compression sleeves or socks may help, too.

Chronic Venous Insufficiency

To get back to your heart from your legs and feet, your blood travels in veins with “one-way valves” to keep it from flowing back down. These valves can get damaged as you get older or if you stand or sit for long periods of time. If your blood doesn’t return to your heart the way it should, it can collect in your legs and feet and cause swelling.

Heart Failure

This is when your heart doesn’t pump blood like it should. If your blood isn’t flowing well in the right direction, it can back up in your legs and feet and cause swelling. With heart failure, it can be uncomfortable to lie down flat, your heart may beat faster or in an unusual rhythm, and you might have a hard time catching your breath. Get medical help right away if you notice these signs.

Kidney Disease

Your kidneys filter waste from your blood. If they aren’t working right -- because of a condition like diabetes or high blood pressure -- too much salt (sodium) can be left in your blood. That makes your body hold on to more water than it should. Gravity pulls the water down, and your feet and ankles can swell. 

Liver Disease

If you have hepatitis (inflammation in your liver) or you drink heavily, your liver has to fix itself over and over. That can cause scar tissue to replace healthy tissue, and your liver can stop working like it should. If that happens, too much fluid can pool in your belly, legs, and feet, making them swell.

What You Can Do: RICE

This stands for “rest,” “ice,” “compression,” and “elevation.” It’s most useful for sprains and broken bones, but it can help if your feet are swollen for other reasons, too. If you rest and put your feet up (elevate them), fluid will flow away from your feet. Ice makes blood vessels narrower -- limiting blood flow -- and helps with pain. Special extra-tight socks called compression socks, or wraps around your feet, can help push fluid away from your feet. 

What You Can Do: Move Around

If you walk around every hour or so, it makes it harder for fluid to pool in any one place and keeps your blood moving through your body. Anything that moves your knees and flexes your ankles can help.

What You Can Do: Medicine

Some drugs used to treat high blood pressure, diabetes, and inflammation can make your body hold on to too much water, and that can make your feet swell. Other medications called diuretics can ease swelling -- they help your body get rid of fluid by making you pee more often. Always talk to your doctor before changing or stopping your meds.

What You Can Do: Add Magnesium

You may be able to help your body get rid of fluid more easily if you add 200 to 400 milligrams of magnesium to your daily diet. Foods high in this mineral include oatmeal, bananas, almonds, broccoli, and beets, Talk to your doctor before taking a supplement -- it can cause problems if you have a kidney or heart condition, or if you take medicine for other conditions.

When to Call Your Doctor

Get medical help right away if your feet are swollen and you’re short of breath or have chest pain. These could be signs of fluid or a blood clot in your lungs. See your doctor if:

• Your swollen foot keeps a dimple after you press it.
• Your skin in the swollen area looks stretched or breaks.
• You have pain and swelling that doesn’t go away.