Age-related pains and how to ease them
Many people have some sort of chronic pain, meaning the long-term kind that sticks around after an injury or illness, while millions more have short-term (acute) pain. Some types are more common during certain times of your life. Here are types of pain you need to know about and tips to manage them.
Lower back pain: It is the most common type of chronic pain. If you are under 50 and have not had a back injury, your back pain is likely the result of sitting for long stretches. It is most likely to strike during your 30s and 40s, but it can happen at any age.
Strength-training and cardio exercise are both helpful. Physical therapy is another option. Over-the-counter pain killers may also help, though you should not use them for more than a few days.
Headaches: Regular ones and migraines - a type of headache that may cause other symptoms, like nausea - are the second most common type of chronic pain. Experts are not sure exactly what causes them, but they can be triggered by things like muscle tension, dehydration, your period, stress, weather changes etc. They are most likely to strike between your 20s and 50s.
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 can offer relief -but don't take it for long time without talking to your doctor.
Osteoarthritis (OA): This common condition happens when the protective cartilage between your joint and bone breaks down, causing pain in those joints, like hands, knees, and hips. Osteoarthritis is most likely to strike during your 60s and 70s.
Staying physically active is key. If you are new to exercise or have severe arthritis, talk to your doctor first. Some people find relief by applying heat when their joints are stiff and ice when they are swollen.
Non-arthritis joint pain: Pain that feels like it is in or around the joints - and that is not the result of OA - is usually tendinitis. It is often caused by activities that involve repetitive motion, like golfing and shoveling. It is most likely to strike over age 40. As you get older, your tendons become less elastic and are more prone to injury.
Use RICE, which stands for rest, ice, compression, and 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. Take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine, like ibuprofen - to ease inflammation. Talk to your doctor if you are not improving after a week.
Pelvic pain: One in seven women between the ages of 18 and 50 gets chronic pelvic pain. It can feel sharp or like a dull ache. It is pain that is not caused by your period. It may be the result of another condition, like endometriosis or IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). Most likely it strikes between the ages of 18-50.
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.
Muscle strain or pain: As you begin to age, your muscle fibers become less dense, which makes them less flexible and more prone to injury and soreness. You are more likely to get a muscle strain with every passing decade.
Don't lift, push, or pull heavy items without help. Stretching and exercises like yoga and Pilates can help keep your muscles long and limber, and can help when you are feeling sore, too. See your doctor if you are in a lot of pain.
Source: Web MD