Old Age Problems

The one and only complaint of old age is pain. Indeed we often encounter patients with pain

Indeed we often encounter patients with all over body!!

In that way it’sreally challenging to identify a single area of the disease or treat it.

Few Absolutes

Women at the end of their menstrual life must start taking calcium and other supplementation in proper dosage that is focussed on keeping the bone healthy after discussion with an orthopaedician
All men & women after crossing 60 years mark should stay under periodic evaluation for sign of weakness in their bones & joints(osteoporosis & osteoarthritis), especially the ones with additional conditions like DM, thyroid disorder & obesity

It’s a condition of progressive weakening of bones of the body most commonly manifested in vertebrae and hip joints
Weak bones are easily fractured (indeed even fall from bed / fall after slipping on a wet floor may cause fracture to patient affected by this conditions).

How to identify?

General body pain without any obvious cause may often be due to this condition
Often person affected with this condition stoop forward while walking and people close to him/her might notice reduction in height over the years.
Low back pain or hip pain is the commonest early warning.

Personswith above described risks should stay informed about their condition and under routine check-up.

About Osteoarthritis

This is a condition of progressive degeneration and erosion of joints as a result of age and certain other diseases of body.

This condition is being observed alarmingly by more and more younger age group due to changes in modern lifestyle and obesity
Most commonly involved in joints are knee & hip although almost any joint in the body can be involved in the condition

What should you look for?

Pain persisting in the joints with or without any prior injury to it must be evaluated by a competent orthopaedician as soon as possible.

You have Osteoarthritis/Osteoporosis what to do now?

Do not panic

These diseases can easily be countered with certain lifestyle changes exercise and medicines as advised by your orthopaedician. People often live normal life for years with these conditions given proper help in time.
There is no single medicine or wonder drug or magic therapy that on its own can cure these conditions. It a combination of multiple scientific modality that enables the patient to have a long trouble free life, so do not for quack gimmicks.

The most proven method of putting a check on these 2 condition is a tripod approach:

Control your body weight
Control your food timings and sleep wake timings to reduce the stress level
Have discussion with an orthopaedic surgeon a physiotherapist and a dietician for maximum effect
Ensure well lit corridors and bathrooms to prevent accidental falls
Put anti slip floor mats on bathrooms and slippery floors
Every stair case and long corridors frequented by old persons should be installed with handle bars or railings
Only used approved and comfortable footwear to reduce repetitive stress and foo footwear related injuries.
wrong postures must be avoided throughout the day::

Some essential exercises:

The treatment regime advised by your doctor may include a combination of any of the above mentioned methods plus medications.
Early diagnosis and adherence to protocol makes all the difference