Each year, the running of the days counts the passage of time for each one, until old age arrives both for us and for our loved ones.
It is true that growing old brings with it many joys: we watch our children grow up, we progress professionally, we travel, we make dreams come true, among many other things. But we also have to be prepared for the body’s natural aging process, which often causes pain in the elderly.
The growth of the population over 60 years old means that the number of people, of both sexes, who live with some kind of disease or disorder typical of the elderly has also increased.
Regardless of age, pain means that something is not right. The aggravating factor in the case of the elderly is that the pain tends to be more intense and more recurrent and is not always properly treated by family members and caregivers, who should always seek the guidance of a geriatrician.
To better understand this process, check below four types of pain common in this age group.
osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis, which is also known as arthrosis or osteoarthritis, is characterized by a natural process of slow and progressive deterioration of the articular cartilage that covers the bony ends and cushions impacts on the knee, hip, and shoulders.
The disease mainly affects people over 55 years of age and women are affected earlier, due to hormonal changes typical of female aging.
Families and the elderly need to be careful to seek medical help when pain and stiffness recur for several days. Treatment consists of exercises, physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, and analgesics.
Arthritis
It is an inflammation of the joints very common in the elderly, causing pain and stiffness. It also predominantly affects women, especially the elderly, although it can also affect younger women. In addition to age, it is necessary to be aware of aspects of excess weight, trauma, and even genetics.
Treatment varies according to the cause of arthritis and consists of using medication prescribed by the doctor to relieve pain in the elderly.
Back Disorders
People of all age groups have back problems. However, the largest number of individuals who face this type of problem is in the so-called third age. This occurs when elderly people present physiological changes, such as decreased bone mass, which generally leads to osteoporosis, a common disease in women.
Treatment must always be indicated by a specialized professional. But it is worth investing in good posture practices (RPG exercises – Global Postural Re-education, for example, can help a lot), regular physical activities, and body weight control.
Peripheral Vascular Disease
With advancing age, blood vessels also undergo changes due to natural degeneration or degeneration derived from external factors. Artery walls thicken and accumulate calcifications, becoming rigid. This alters blood flow, which can cause pain, especially in the legs.
This picture, incidentally, can lead to other diseases, such as high blood pressure or high blood pressure, as it is better known.
Treatment varies according to the characteristics and conditions of each patient, which requires medical evaluation and monitoring and can be carried out with the use of medication or surgical procedures, depending on the case.