Avoid Aches and Pains as You Age
Some things in life are inevitable—like death and taxes.
Suffering from joint pain as you get older is not one of those inevitable things.
In a moment, we’ll talk about how you can avoid the joint pain that is too often associated with aging.
But first, let’s look at why aging and joint pain often seem to go hand-in-hand.
Joint Pain and Aging: Why Do They Often Go Together?
Joints that are stiff and painful are all too common among older adults. This is because with age, joints become more susceptible to wear and tear.
At the same time, the natural processes that protected your joints when you were younger become less effective.
The result? Inflammation within your joints. A number of factors can contribute to joint inflammation, including:
- Osteoarthritis:
Osteoarthritis is caused by a loss of cartilage. The result can be bone-on-bone contact that causes pain and inflammation. - Rheumatoid arthritis:
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack the joints, causing chronic inflammation. - Gout:
When someone has gout, uric acid crystals build up in the joints and cause inflammation. - Infection:
Bacterial infections that are located within joints can result in inflammation. - Injuries:
Injuries like sprains and fractures can result in joint inflammation. - Overuse
Repetitive movements can cause inflammation if continued over long periods of time without sufficient rest. This can include everything from running to playing the piano. - Lifestyle:
A poor diet and insufficient exercise can lead to excess weight, and that can put added strain on weight-bearing joints like ankles, knees, and hips. The result can be chronic pain and inflammation.
How to Protect Your Joints
Fortunately, there are many ways you can protect your joints from pain and inflammation:
- Take Supplements to Support Healthy Joints
Glucosamine and chondroitin can support joint health by helping to rebuild damaged cartilage.
Anti-inflammatory supplements like Omega-3 fatty acids, turmeric, and ginger root can also help to reduce inflammation in your joints. - Eat a Joint Healthy Diet
Maintain a diet that is rich in lean protein, vegetables, and healthy fats to help maintain a healthy weight, thereby reducing stress on your weight-bearing joints.
Many foods are also rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that can help to prevent joint inflammation. - Stay Active, But Be Smart About It
Healthy joints need to be used and moved on a regular basis…but without overdoing it. In other words, exercise regularly, but be smart about it.
Make sure you warm up before exercise, and don’t skip stretching.
When in doubt, consult with a personal trainer.
- Don’t Overdo Repetitive Activities
Overuse can affect any joint in your body, from the effect running can have on your knees to what typing can do to your wrists. Remember, it’s possible to do too much of a good thing. Your joints need exercise, but they also need rest. - Have Your Hormones Checked
Among many other things, estrogen is joint protective…in women and in men. However, estrogen declines as women go through menopause. And men will often become estrogen deficient as testosterone levels diminish. Fortunately, estrogen-optimization by why of properly supervised hormone therapy can go a long way toward preserving joint health.
Occasional aches and pains are one thing. But chronic pain and inflammation in your joints can compromise quality of life and make it impossible to enjoy your favorite activities. At Renew Youth, we can help you with hormone therapy, as well as advice on joint-healthy lifestyle choices.
Take the first step toward a future free from joint pain. Call us at 800-859-7511 or use our contact form to set up your free 30-minute consultation.
We’re here to help.
Schedule a free confidential consultation.
Free Consultation
