Aches and pains physiology

[squareRN]

Like many of you, understanding the mechanism of pathophysiology is a passion. I do have a question. With infections the pathogen proliferates and colonises either locally , spread within the same organ system or even systemic complications can occur. Due to this colonisation and host infection, our body sets up an immune response and because of this, much more of our vitamins, minerals, carbs, proteins, fats are used up with the mitosing white blood cells, generating a fever etc.

My question is this, why do aches occur particularly in joints even though the infection has nothing to do with joints? has it got to do with less energy expenditure to osteocytes within that region causing some kind intracellular biochemical starvation? I have no idea and would really appreciate your help

Why do we get skeletal muscle aches and weakness? Is there some kind of capilary shunting decreasing blood and plasma contents to skeletal muscle for the acute stage of the infection?

I thank you very much for your help and appreciate your help in advance

SquareRN

[shaas, ASN, RN]

It is mainly due to the inflammation process, to combat the invading and replicating virus (in this case) or bacteria, which is a pretty complicated cell signaling/G-protein-mediated process of nociception involving articular nerves. During the inflammatory process that eventually kill the infected cells many cytotoxic materials can be released, which often exacerbate inflammation response. This process applies to both joint and muscle aches while virus is present (until they are eradicated).

I really do miss molecular bio and biochem. They actually helped to build a great science foundation, which nursing schools cannot do adequately. Now, I have to read on my own the medical journal and texts if I want to acculuate any substantive knowledge.

I hope that the following articles help:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1010160/pdf/annrheumd00350-0006.pdf

http://www.ehow.com/about_4744935_joint-pain-caused-viruses.html

(This is non-peer-reviewed/nonresearch article)

[squareRN]

To Shaas,

thank you for your response. I did not even think about the sensitisation of peripheral nerves from cytotoxic substances during the inflammatory response. We have a variety of nociceptors that a sensitive to mechanical pressure, heat, cold and obviously pain. I wonder if they are more visceral nociception rather than somatic?

I do agree, nursing schools do NOT provide a solid foundation for biochem and even there anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology is limited. Thank you very much for your thorough response and finding those article for me.

[shaas, ASN, RN]

No problem.

I am glad to be of assistance of any kind and to learn along with you.

[czyja, MSN, RN]

It is mainly due to the inflammation process,

Exactly. This is why some people say that the flu shot "gives them the flu." The vaccination causes the body to mount an immune response, which leads to aches and pains.