7 Age-Related Pains
& How to Ease Them!
- Got aches? You’re in good company!
- Around 100 million Americans have some sort of chronic pain, meaning the long-term kind
that sticks around after an injury or illness. - And millions more have from short-term (acute) pain.
- Some types are more common during certain times of your life.
- Knowing that may help you be ready for them & sometimes even avoid irritation or injury
in the first place. - Here are seven types of pain you need to know about & tips to manage them.
1. Lower Back Pain
- It’s the most common type of chronic pain in America.
- If you’re under 50 & haven’t had a back injury, your back pain is likely the result of sitting
for long stretches. - That puts too much pressure on the discs in your back
- Older adults, on the other hand, are more likely to have back pain from conditions like
arthritis, It's most likely to strike during your 30s & 40s but it can happen at any age.
Ease the ache:
- Strength-training & cardio exercise are both helpful because they increase blood flow
& help you build your cour musces, which support you spine which reduces pressure.
- Start slow & see a pro if you're not sure what exercises to do.
- Physical Therapy is another option.
- Your therapist can show you exercises that may help you move better & relieve pain.
- Over the counter medicines like acetaminophen & ibuprofen may also help, though you shouldn't use them for more than a few days without your doctor's ok.
- Some people find using a heating pad eases pain too.
- Call you doctor if you have severe back pain or if you've been huring for more than a week.
2. HEADACHES
- Experts aren’t sure exactly what causes headaches but they can be triggered by things
like muscle tension, dehydration, your period, stress, weather change & certain foods,
like chocolate. - Most likely to strike: Between your 20s & 50s.
Ease the ache:
- If your headache is just in your forehead and temple area, it could be a tension headache.
- It might help to massage the area that hurts or apply menthol cream on your forehead or
the base of your neck. - Pain meds like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or a medicine especially for migraines that
contains caffeine, acetaminophen, or aspirin, can offer relief, but don’t take it for more t
han 3 days without talking to your doctor. - Your doctor might also recommend prescription migraine medicine.
3. Osteoarthritis (OA)
- This common condition happens when the protective cartilage between your joint & bone
breaks down, causing pain in those joints, like hands, knees & hips. - Osteoarthritis is often the result of age-related changes, or an injury or wear & tear from
a sport or another activity. - Most likely to strike: During your 60s & 70s.
- 30 - 33 percent of adults over age 60 have Osteoarthritis
Ease the ache:
- Staying physically active is key.
- It keeps blood circulating, which can keep your joints healthy & reduce pain.
- It also strengthens the muscles around the joint, taking pressure off the joint & bone.
- If you're new to exercise or have severe arthritis, talk to your doctor first.
- Another treatment option?
1. Some people find relief by applying heat when their joints are stiff & ice when they're
swollen.
2. Medicines that you take by mouth or put directly on your skin may also help. - Talk to your doctor. He may suggest over-the-counter or prescription pain medicine.
4. Non-Arthritis Joint Pain
- Pain that feels like it’s in or around the joints & that isn’t the result of OA, is usually
tendinitis. - That’s an inflammation of the tendon, which is a band of tissue that connects your muscles
to your bones. - With arthritis, it’s usually tough or painful to get moving.
- With tendinitis, the more you move, the more pain you have.
- It’s often caused by activities that involve repetitive motion, like golfing & shoveling.
- Most likely to strike: Over age 40. As you get older, your tendons become less elastic
& are more prone to injury.
Ease the ache:
- Use RICE which stands for rest, ice, compression & elevation.
- Take a break from activities that aggravate your joint.
- Put an ice pack on the sore area.
- Wrap it in a bandage, and prop up the area (for example, put your leg on a pillow or 2
if your knee hurts. - Take an NSAID, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine, like ibuprofen or naproxen
to ease inflammation. - Talk to your doctor if you're not improving after a week.
5. Pelvic Pain
- One in 7 women between the ages of 18 & 50 gets chronic pelvic pain.
- It can feel sharp or like a dull ache.
- It's pain that's not caused by your period.
- It may be the result of another condition, like endometriosis, irritable bowel syndrome.
- Most likely to strike: Between the ages of 18 & 50.
Ease the ache:
- Over-the-counter pain medicines can help.
- But call your doctor if you have below-the-belt pain that lasts more than a few days.
- Don’t wait until it gets unbearable.
- The treatment you need depends on the cause of your pelvic pain.
- It may include physical therapy & prescription painkiller or muscle relaxing medicine.
6. Carpal Tunnel
- This condition happens when a nerve that runs from your arm to your palm becomes
pressed or squeezed. - It causes pain in your fingers & wrist, & numbness or tingling, too.
- It’s often caused by repetitive motion for example, from typing or using machinery.
- But other things, like a family history of carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis & menopause
-related hormone changes, also up your odds of getting it. - Most likely to strike: During your mid-40s to mid-60s.
Ease the ache:
- Talk to your doctor if you think have this condition.
- He may suggest exercise, occupational & physical therapy & short-term use of over-the-
counter pain relievers. - But in some cases, surgery is the best way to treat carpal tunnel syndrome.
7. Muscle Strain or Pain
- As you begin to age, your muscle fibers become less dense, which makes them less
flexible & more prone to injury & soreness. - That can raise the odds of having soreness after activities you used to do with no problem,
like gardening or exercise. - Most likely to strike: You’re more likely to get a muscle strain with every passing decade.
Ease the ache:
- The best thing you can do is to try to avoid hurting yourself in the first place.
- Don’t lift, push, or pull heavy items without help.
- Stretching & exercises like yoga & Pilates can help keep your muscles long & limber &
can help when you’re feeling sore, too. - If your muscles are hurting, try RICE therapy & over-the-counter pain medicine.
- See your doctor if you're in a lot of pain.
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