Senior Pain Management

Senior Care and Pain Management

One of the fears of growing old is that chronic pain will be a part of everyday life. While many seniors do deal with pain as a complication of illness or injury, pain is not a normal part of aging and does not need to be so.

There are two major categories of pain: acute pain and chronic pain. Acute pain is pronounced and has a short duration. This type of pain is the body 's way of telling you there is something wrong. Acute pain is a sign that you may need to seek medical treatment. Of course, this type of pain may also be the result of treatment. Acute pain is what you feel after a surgery, after visiting the dentist, and so forth. It is normally treated with a short-term regimen of medications.

Chronic pain last three to six months or more. It is pain that does not go away and can affect your ability to function during the

There are also things that can be done at home. A Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) unit uses electrical impulses to stimulate nerves in order to relieve pain. These devices often require somebody to properly position the pads.

Proper nutrition can also help. Weight loss helps alleviate the pain of arthritis, can help fight depression, and is a part of most heart-health programs. There are also foods that have medicinal qualities and are helpful in pain management. The most common of these foods are those high in Omega 3 fatty acids. Sadly, many seniors either cannot or choose not to eat healthy food. Senior care personnel can assist with the planning, preparation, and cleanup of healthy meals.

Exercising not only helps take or keep the weight off, but it is an effective way to increase your mental state. From simple walking to yoga, stretching, or pilates, seniors who engage in regular exercise can experience reductions in chronic pain. Senior services personnel can be there to encourage, support, and assist, or they can provide transportation to the gym, pool, or another