Age related common body pains, their treatment and prevention.

Another health reporter query and my answers in a question/answer format......

As we age we have many different common pains related to our age group. I tried to effectively breakdown these in a broader age brackets and I have noted the causes, treatment and the general prevention. 

The most common pains in the 30’s are

1. Aches and pains, especially in the knees and low back area.
2. Menstrual pain/cramps in women in the child bearing age group.
3. Headaches are very common in young men and women in their thirties.

1a. What typically causes each of these?

1. Joint pains are very common in this age group, especially with men and women who are involved in physical activities at work or at the gym. Heavy loading in the form of work related activities or at the gym such as running or weight training are the most common causes. Running or even mild jogging on a treadmill can be the main culprit of joint pains in men and women who otherwise live a sedentary life style.
2. Menstrual pains or dysmenorrhea is a major reason for pain in young women with incidence as high as 30 to 50% women suffering from it and about 15-20% cannot even perform the activities of daily living during their periods. Hormonal problems, Pelvic inflammatory disease, uterine fibroids and endometriosis (uttering lining growing outside the uterus) are some of the major causes of these pains.
3. Common headaches are generally caused by stress related issues either at work or at home. Men and women in this age group are in the prime of their career as well as the at peak of family/home building phase of life. All these factors along with impeding financial issues if any can cause stress/tension headaches in other wise healthy individuals and cause stress headaches. 

1b. What can be done to fix and possibly prevent each pain?

1. OTC (over the counter) medicines like the common pain relieving pills are the first line of treatment in such cases. If the conditions remain unresolved for a few days then a doctor has to be consulted. Prescription strength drugs and or diagnostic tests may be needed to counter any serious problems. Avoiding heavy loading at gym or work can prevent these pains in the long run.
2. Unfortunately in a lot of cases menstrual pain is not even reported to their doctors due to various reasons. A lot of younger women just feel that they have to simply deal with such issues as a part of being a women. Some women feel better with OTC pain pills and a heating pad but in a lot of cases profession intervention like an Ob-Gyn needs to be consulted. Healthy diet, regular exercise and gentle stretching seem to ease and prevent menstrual pains.
3. Most people just take tylenol or other meds like aspirin in most cases for headaches. Non medicinal interventions like de-stressing, breathing, relaxation activities and aerobic exercise should be encouraged for headaches prevention rather then the pain meds. If the headaches do not resolve in a few days and if are persistent then professional consolation is needed to uncover any serious underlying reasons. Good communication/understanding among spouses and significant others can reduce some of the stresses of life and can also prevent or at least reduce the occurrence of these stress headaches.

2. What are 2 or 3 common pains people experience in their 40s and 50s?

A lot of pains which affect the people in their 30’s generally extend in their 40’s and 50’s too but clinicians see a lot more of the patients complaining about the following in their 40’s and 50’s

1. General body pains, a little more in intensity then the regular aches in thirties, especially in the neck area are very common on this age group.
2. Shoulder pain in men and women involved in a lot of shoulder activities, such as long spells of cooking or prolonged over head activities as simple as cleaning or reaching out to move heavy stuff.

2a. What typically causes each of these?

1. Early onset of O.A.(Osteoarthritis) can be the reason for pain in joints in this age group. OA is a condition where the cartilage lining between the joints starts to breakdown causing bones to rub onto each other. Clinicians have started to see a lot of early onset in recent years in younger age groups.
2. Men and women involved in shoulder activities like strenuous upper arm exercises can cause shoulder injuries and cause persistent pain in their 40’s and 50’s. Men who use heavy over head weights as in dead lifts and/or wide pushups over time can have chronic shoulder pain. Some women performing even light over head weights at gym can injure their shoulder due to relatively weaker upper body muscles especially if those muscles are not used to such exercise since the early years. Main muscle group involved in the shoulder injuries is the Rotator Cuff and it can very quickly become chronic if stays unresolved.

2b. What can be done to fix and possibly prevent each pain?

1. Healthy life style habits like, weight management, regular exercises, regular stretching like Yoga and leading an active life style on a daily basis can help not only with the condition but can help prevent the onset of OA. Including time for workouts or even regular medium pace walking in the busy home and work routine will help.
2. Slower increments in weight training and utilizing the available trainers at the gym can really help to prevent these injuries and help maintain injury free exercise regimen. Avoiding long spells of prolonged over head activities even as simple as cleaning and reaching out to move heavy stuff can prevent serious shoulder injuries in future.

3. What are 2 or 3 common pains people experience in their 60s, 70s and older?

1. OA (Osteoarthritis) is the main reason for pain in joints in this age group. OA is a condition where the cartilage lining between the joints starts to breakdown causing bones to rub onto each other. In older seniors it can cause debilitation and lack of mobility which is a major deterrent to an otherwise healthy and independent senior lifestyle. OA in this age group affects almost all joints in the body.
2. Osteoporosis is a condition where the bones begin lose their density and and are at a risk factor for fractures even after a minor fall. Osteoporosis can also cause the loss of height, chronic and severe pain, especially in the back area and can cause permanent disabilities in some seniors. Even the intensity of pain is different then the regular arthritis pain. Pain associated with Osteoporosis can be really severe and regular pain pills do not seem to relieve it.
3. Chronic Hip pain is a major annoyance in the 60’s and 70’s even when no major physical activity is involved. It may and may not be just simple arthritis. In the aging body the blood supply to various joints decreases, especially the hip joint due to the anatomical nature this ball and socket joint. 

3a. What typically causes each of these?

1. Causes of OA are, age related degenerative changes in the joint (similar to graying of hair), old joint injuries manifesting later in life and other stress like excessive body weight on the joints. Life long abuse of joints at work, home or gym activities such as regular running on concrete like surfaces over the course of life can also deteriorate the joint cartilage or the ‘cushion’ between the joints.
2. Osteoporosis: Our bones of made of dense organic material which gives them the strength and helps the bone support the body. Then bones constantly renew as the old bone material is broken down and new one form. As the body ages, the bone mass is lost much faster then its generated. Over time the bones become brittle and weak and causes extreme pain.
3. Necrosis or death of bone material due to age related decreased blood flow can be the main culprit for the chronic hip pain which occurs in seniors. It also limits range of motion of the hip joint and can cause other related problems like groin pain, low back pain and muscle tightness.

3b. What can be done to fix and possibly prevent each pain?

1. Treatment of arthritis in seniors is different then in the younger people as the condition at times has already become chronic. Disability, lack of mobility and quality of life becomes a major factor in determining the course of treatment. Physical therapy, pain meds, and regular stretching seems to be the logical treatments. Unfortunately for a vast majority of seniors, more aggressive and invasive such as surgeries and even joint replacements are needed. Seniors seem to get a lot of benefits from aqua or water therapy as it is gentle on the joints and a full range of joints can be achieved under water with minimal pain. Proactive prevention is the key to OA. Seniors needs to be educated and encouraged to stay active and healthy. Seniors should try to join the free aqua classes if offered in their communities and participate. Early diagnosis and early treatment helps reduce long term disabilities.
2. Osteoporosis generally requires a slightly different treatment plan like talking bone density (hormonal) and calcium supplements as directed by their doctors. Early diagnosis is again important here. Regular bone density tests are an easy way to keep up with the early detection. Regular exercise, healthy diet and limiting alcohol and smoking goes a long way in limiting osteoporosis.
3. Age related hip joint necrosis can be effectively treated by physical therapy and cortisone injections for pain relief. More invasive treatments are surgical relief and reconstruction of the joint. The condition can be prevented by being healthy and active in early life, good nutrition and limiting cortico-steroids in general.

~Dr. V