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The one thing that people fear about aging is the signs that they have little control over their bodies as they age. One example is arthritis. It is the leading cause of pain all over the world. This is mainly because arthritis covers over 100 separate conditions that all result in joint pain. Fortunately, this means that they have similarities that make them a lot easier to treat. Here are a few tips on what you can do to reduce or even eliminate joint pain.
Stay Active
It is very tempting to stay down and not do anything as you get older. The temptation is even bigger with all the pain you feel from your creaky joints. But that is the wrong approach. The pain comes from the fact that your muscles and nerves are under a lot of stress. The best way to handle it is to stay active. Movement can relieve the stress on your joints since it ensures that your muscles are stronger. The movement also ensures that your body stays functional. You’ll need to choose an activity that matches your limitations, but even a simple walk each day can do a lot for your body. Consult with your doctor on what level of physical activity you can do regularly and aim to push yourself to that level. This will keep your body strong and fit.
Lose Some Weight
Another reason for the pain in your joints is the weight of your body. As you grow older, your metabolism slows down. This means that a lot of your body starts to develop fat. The added weight is normally something you can ignore. However, if there is too much of it, then you will end up putting a lot of strain on your joints and muscles. If you are obese or even mildly overweight, then you need to shed those points. Go to a weight loss clinic to consult on what approach you should take so that there is less strain on your body.
Get Medication
You can treat the pain in your joints with a variety of painkillers. If the pain is mild enough and not that bad, you can get by with over-the-counter medicines. You will mainly be buying basic painkillers like Tylenol. Opioids will require prescriptions and are for much stronger pain. The problem with these is that they don’t get to the main issue with arthritis which is inflammation. Anti-inflammatory medicines can be very effective, like ibuprofen. The problem is that they can have side-effects in large doses, especially when ingested. Creams and gels are less risky but take time before they can take effect. For those who are suffering badly, corticosteroids can be injected into their painful joints.
Go Into Therapy
You can supplement the medication with additional therapy. A lot of arthritis comes from negative mental and physical interactions. You may notice this in the fact that arthritic attacks tend to be worse after high-stress situations. To help handle this, you should try to undergo cognitive behavioral therapy. This allows you to modify your behavior so that you don’t have to face all that stress. You can also start relaxation therapy to help relax more.
Use Alternative Treatments
There are also some interesting alternative treatments for those who want something more. For example, massage therapy can help ease aching muscles while acupuncture supposedly helps with the nerve clusters that are the source of pain. For those suffering from severe pain, you might consider surgical intervention like joint replacement and more.
Arthritis is a natural part of the aging process. Depending on how bad it is, you might only be able to reduce the pain. If you are lucky, you can cut it down enough so that it is only a minor inconvenience. Consult with your doctor about your options so that you can enjoy your golden years more.
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