Aging: The Pains and Aches

It is not uncommon to have to deal with certain ailments as we age. Some of such ailments include joint pain, fading eyesight, weak bones, and memory glitches. By understanding the changes in the body and learning how to adapt to a healthy lifestyle, managing unwelcome aches and pains to continue to live happily is possible, according to an article at EverydayHealth.com.

Common Aches and Pains

The wear and tear of the body is the biggest culprit causing pain to senior citizens, said Dr Tan Kian Hian, director of Singapore General Hospital's Pain Management Centre, in an article by The Straits Times. The article which is reproduced at the HealthXchange.com.sg states that about four in five of the centre's older patients suffer from degenerative pain, mainly from arthritis or joint damage.

Arthritic Knee

The most common form of arthritis among the elderly is osteoarthritis. As a result of progressive degeneration of cartilage lining, when the bones rub against one another, pain and swelling occur. Such pain can arise after prolonged standing or walking or when carrying something heavy, said Dr James Low, a senior consultant and the head of the Department of Geriatric Medicine at Alexandra Hospital in The Straits Times article. The pain, which may be sharp or dull, can be accompanied by swelling, stiffness and crepitus or the crackling sound in the knee. In severe cases, the pain can come even when the person is resting, said Dr Low.

Frozen Shoulder, Slipped Disc

Another common condition of older adults is the frozen shoulder, characterized by a dull ache and stiffness. According to The Straits Times article, frozen shoulder occurs when the joint becomes inflamed, scarred or shrinks. Everyday activities like combing one’s hair or putting on a T-shirt can be difficult for those with this ailment.

Carrying too much weight and having a back injury can also lead to the faster degeneration of the spinal discs which act as cushioning for the vertebral bones. Commonly known as slipped disc, this condition may press onto the surrounding spinal nerves, causing a sharp pain radiating from the lower back all the way to the feet.

Injuries and Nerve

Risk from sports injuries and nerve pain are other aging pains mentioned in The Straits Times article. People active in sports may be more prone to aches and pains later in life if they have had injuries.

Nerve pain caused by shingles is a type of pain that commonly afflicts the elderly. Anyone who has had chickenpox can develop shingles. The virus which causes chicken pox in a young person can lurk in the body and cause painful shingles rash when the person is older. This pain, often described as stinging or stabbing, can last for weeks and months even after the rashes have subsided. People above 50 years of age are more susceptible to nerve pain when their immune system weakens.

Guidelines for Pain Management

No matter how old we are or what is our ailment, we need to heed guidelines when we feel pain. This is the advice from an article by Lisa Zamosky at WebMD.com. These guidelines include:

• Dealing with pain head on. Denying pain is never a good idea.
• Getting treatment. Acute pain—the kind that comes on suddenly—should be treated as quickly as possible to prevent it from becoming a chronic pain condition or pain that lasts longer than three months.
• Checking on vitamin D. Vitamin D helps prevent micro factures and alleviating pain that stems from fractures associated with osteoporosis. Ask the doctor to check vitamin D levels to ensure no deficiency.
• Avoiding obesity. Extra pounds put tremendous strain on the body and increase the chance of experiencing chronic joint and lower back pain.
• Getting enough sleep. A lack of sleep can worsen pain and contribute to muscle tightness and depression. If not sleeping well, check with the doctor for any sleep disorder and find out what can be done to get a good night's rest.
• Watching out for depression. Chronic pain is frequently accompanied by depression, making it more difficult to deal with physical pain, which often goes unrecognized. When in chronic pain, let the doctor know how’s the emotional state of mind as well.

Steps to Healthy Aging

Some tips on healthy aging by Diana Rodriguez in her article at EverydayHealth.com:

• Stay physically active with regular exercise.
• Stay socially active with friends and family and within your community.
• Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet—dump the junk food in favor of fiber-rich, low-fat, and low-cholesterol eating.
• Don't neglect self: Regular check-ups with the doctor, dentist, and optometrist are very important.
• Take all medications as directed by the doctor.
• Limit alcohol consumption and cut out smoking.
• Get the sleep the body needs.
• Tend to emotional health as well and reap the rewards of long life in enjoying each and every day and by savoring good health and happiness.

Tips for Healthy Aging

by BeWellDoc.com


For professional help with prevention and treatment of older adults, please consult a geriatrician.