Hello everyone! I was at the gym a few days ago doing my core exercises which involved lots of leg lunges and much bending at the middle and I have to say that today I am super sore! It's not easy being 55 years old and still wanting to be active, but it is mandatory that at this age we do exactly that. When I look around the room I see mostly 25-35 year old women moving with such agility and I stand there in awe of them. I admire the fact that they recognize the necessity of exercise at an early age in order to avoid the aging pitfalls that many of us suffer later on in life. One of the common problems many of us over 50 years old deal with is arthritis. Arthritis is a general term for a group of disorders that might cause you pain, stiffness or swelling of the joints. Any of your joints can be affected, including the knees, hips and fingers. A dear friend has arthritis of the neck and has great difficulty dealing with it since his job involves working at a computer all day. Arthritis is usually a chronic condition and is common among older folks especially over the age of 65. The 3 most common kinds are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout.
Osteoarthritis - used to be known as degenerative joint disease.It is the most common form in older people. It usually occurs when the protective layer of cartilage between bones wears away and the exposed bones rub against each other. This causes spurs to develop and ultimately damages the nerves and muscles. Osteoarthritis usually affects the hands, knees and hips. It also tends to run in families. Being overweight can also increase your risk because of the stress put on the knees.
Rheumatoid arthritis - usually occurs when the membrane that surrounds a joint becomes inflamed and gets thick which in turn causes much pain and stiffness, especially when you get up in the morning. It usually affects the joints in the hands, but can also affect the arms, legs and feet. This type of arthritis can also damage the body in other areas such as the eyes, lungs and heart. It is believed to be an autoimmune disease, which means the body mistakenly attacks its own tissue.
Gout - this condition is caused when blood levels of uric acid, which is one of the body's waste products, gets too high. The excess uric acid forms crystals in the spaces around the joints. The body's immune system attacks these crystals, causing the joint to become inflames and painful. Gout might attack your toes, ankles, elbows, wrists and hands. A gout attack can come on very suddenly and is very painful. This condition usually attacks men more than women and is triggered by many factors. Drinking too much alcohol and eating a diet rich in foods that raise uric acid levels such as sardines, organ meats, gravies or sweetbreads may lead to an attack.
Living with arthritis is difficult but can be handled. Of course you should consult with your doctor on your personal game plan. From what I can read though, exercising daily is very beneficial. Moving your joints is supposed to help reduce the pain and strengthen the muscles and bones. It's important for you to take rest breaks throughout the day if your joints are inflamed and to apply heat or cold to sore joints. Heat relaxes your muscles and cold reduces inflammation and swelling. Again, I am not a doctor, so you should always consult your personal physician for your best treatment plan. The bottom line is that you should understand there are treatment courses that can help you stay active and assist you with your plan to continue
Healthy Living Over 50! Have a wonderful day everyone!
No comments:
Post a Comment