How To Manage Pain That Comes From Aging In 2022!
As we age, our pain tolerance gets lower. We are less able to ignore or tolerate pain for longer periods of time, which can be a problem if you have chronic conditions that cause ongoing discomfort.
One way to manage the pain is through using natural remedies such as turmeric and ginger, but there are also other options available. These include over-the-counter medications like aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), or naproxen sodium (Aleve). For more serious cases where over-the-counter drugs do not help enough doctors may prescribe stronger prescription medication with potentially dangerous side effects including addiction and liver damage.
There are even implanted devices that provide electrical stimulation to block nerve signals from reaching the brain. However, no matter what treatment you are using it is important to remember that there are always options.
Table of Contents
What Usually Causes Pain For The Elderly?
Common causes of issues for older adults include:
Arthritis
Arthritis is a term used to describe what happens when your joints become swollen and inflamed. The affected joint may have difficulty moving, which can result in chronic pain that doesn’t go away. Arthritis is often made worse by injury or obesity.
Infection
As we age, our immune system gets weaker making us more likely to get sick from an infection such as pneumonia or the flu. The resulting inflammation will cause pain, usually located near the site where the bug entered your body.
Nerve damage
One way nerve damage occurs is through the long-term use of medications like prednisone, a steroid medication commonly prescribed for asthma arthritis. If you take medicines like these for a long period of time it can cause the protective sheath around your nerve cells to thicken and swell. This can block signals from reaching the brain and cause chronic problems.
Other factors such as aging, injuries, or accidents also play a role in developing chronic pain. If you have persistent, ongoing inflammation that does not go away even after treatment talk with your doctor about what other options may be available to you.
How To Manage The Pain
There are a number of different ways to manage chronic pain, depending on the cause and severity.
Turmeric and ginger
If you are experiencing pain from arthritis or an infection, using natural remedies like turmeric and ginger can be helpful. Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin which has anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce swelling in the joints. Ginger also has anti-inflammatory properties as well as being a natural analgesic, meaning it helps to block pain signals from reaching the brain.
Over-the-counter medications
For more minor cases of pain, over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen (Advil), aspirin, or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can provide relief. It is important to follow the instructions on the label and not take more than the recommended dose.
Prescription medications
In more serious cases, your doctor may prescribe stronger prescription medications. These medications can help to reduce inflammation and pain, but they also come with risks including addiction and liver damage.
Implanted devices
There are even implanted devices that provide electrical stimulation to block nerve signals from reaching the brain. This type of treatment is usually reserved for people who have tried other treatments without success.
No matter what treatment you are using it is important to remember that there are always options. If the inflammation is getting worse or if it does not go away after treatment talk with your doctor to see what other options may be available to you.
Conclusion
Managing chronic pain can be a challenge, but there are a number of different ways to approach it. If the pain is getting worse or does not go away after treatment, talk with your doctor to see what other options may be available to you.
With aging comes a variety of health concerns, one of which is the development of chronic pain. This type of inflammation does not go away, even after treatment, and can significantly reduce your quality of life. There are a number of different causes for chronic pain, but fortunately, there are also a number of ways to manage it.
Your doctor may prescribe medication or recommend over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or aspirin. If the pain is more severe, they may refer you to a specialist for implanted devices that provide electrical stimulation to block nerve signals from reaching the brain. However, no matter what treatment you are using it is important to remember that there are always options.
