It is no secret that as we grow older, the aches and pains of life increase. We are all bound to age, but some people seem to feel it more than others. Always feeling tired and having aches and pains all over seem to be just a part of getting older…
but if you think it’s impossible to feel good when you’re older, think again. You can feel better than ever before, but only if you know how to feel good in the first place. So let’s find out what you can do for yourself in order to feel better as you age.
What causes aches and pain as we age?
Before we start to explore how to deal with pain and aches, we have to know what causes them. There are many reasons why we feel aches as we get older, but among the most common are:
Osteoarthritis: This is a condition where the joints feel painful and become stiff. It mostly affects people who are over 50 years old. The cartilage around the joints breaks down and is very painful.
Weight problems: We all know that being overweight is not healthy. But it can be especially dangerous for older people. It not only causes more aches and pains but also shortens life expectancy.
High cholesterol levels: It is known that being obese or having high cholesterol increases the risk of developing certain types of arthritis and gout.
Inactivity: Exercising regularly will help you to stay healthy. If you don’t exercise enough, your muscles and joints will become weak, even with a healthy diet and weight.
Stress: It has been proven that stress can cause pain in the body. More often, it happens to women. This is because they have more cortisol, which causes headaches and migraines.
How to deal with aches and pains as we grow old?
It’s important to take care of yourself as you grow old. Here are some suggestions to help:
Exercise: This is the most important thing you can do to feel better. To recover from pain, it’s important to keep your muscles strong and flexible. Try to exercise 30 minutes a day, four times a week to stay fit, strong, and healthy.
Diet: By keeping your weight in check and eating foods that are high in magnesium and other minerals will help ease the pain. It is also important to include foods rich in vitamin D like milk, cheese, eggs, and fish because Vitamin D supports a healthy immune system.
Massages: Massage therapy is a good way of relaxing your muscles after a strenuous workout or when you are feeling some pain. It helps relieve tension on the joints and works as an anti-inflammatory to reduce muscle soreness.
Sleep: This is another way to relieve pain. Deep sleep can help your muscles relax. As we grow old it’s important to get enough sleep every night to keep your body healthy and pain-free.
Meditation: Meditation is another way to relax your body and relieve pain. Gentle exercises like yoga, tai chi, and qigong can be very helpful. And if done regularly, these exercises will make it easier for you to move around with less effort.
Do you need to see a doctor?
As we’ve seen, there are several factors that cause pain in the older population. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional if you feel uncomfortable or in pain. The doctor will be able to diagnose the problem more accurately and recommend the best treatment.
What are the possible treatments?
If you have pain in your joints, your doctor might give you medicine to reduce inflammation. They can also recommend an exercise program to improve muscle strength and flexibility. If you develop fibromyalgia or osteoporosis, sometimes they might prescribe you specific medications and treatments.
The key factors for controlling pain are medication and exercise. It is important to consult with your doctor before trying any treatment at home and make sure you follow their instructions.
The following steps are recommended for controlling chronic pain in people over 50:
-Exercise regularly
-Make sure you are not overweight. Keep your weight under control and avoid gaining extra pounds
-Follow a balanced diet. Avoid fatty foods. Eat fresh fruit and vegetables that provide essential nutrients to the body
-Quit smoking and reduce alcohol consumption. Try to reduce the amount of caffeine that you’re consuming as well.
-Get plenty of sleep.
-Maintain good dental care. If you have chronic pain in your head, it may be linked to problems with your teeth or gums. Follow the prescribed treatment exactly as your doctor tells you.
The more you know about what causes aches and pain in older age, the better equipped you are to prevent them from occurring. Once you are aware of the main factors that can cause chronic pain, it becomes easier to avoid them or at least diminish their effects.By avoiding stress as much as possible, getting enough rest, and practicing regular physical activity, you can control the factors that cause chronic pain and live a healthy long life.
