This article will show you how to treat inflammation in seniors.
Inflammation means that your body is fighting an infection. It causes pain and tenderness. When inflammation becomes chronic, it can damage arteries, which can lead to heart disease, diabetes, and other illnesses.
What Causes Inflammation?
Infections – The infection may be bacterial or viral. Still, either way, it’s causing your body to release chemicals that cause inflammation. This can happen anywhere in your body and may involve the entire immune system (all those cells that fight off infections).
Allergic reactions – When someone is allergic to something, their immune system mistakenly attacks that substance. This can cause an allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening.
Stress – Stress is a common cause of inflammation because it can increase your blood pressure and heart rate and affect your immune system and hormones.
Injury to the Skin – Another cause of inflammation is an injury to the skin. This can be from an insect bite, but something as simple as a scratch or scrape can also cause it. The injury causes the body to release a chemical called histamine, which causes swelling and redness.
Pollution – The release of chemicals and gases into the air causes pollution. These chemicals contain heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium. When inhaled, these substances can cause inflammation in our lungs and skin. Some pollutants may also cause chemical burns to the skin or eyes. In addition, many people who suffer from asthma or allergies have had their symptoms triggered by pollution.
Trauma – We can define trauma as a traumatic event that causes damage to tissues and cells, which triggers an inflammatory response. Traumatic injuries may include sprains, strains, fractures, and internal organ damage caused by accidents or violence.
What are the Symptoms?
Inflammation is a natural response to injury or irritation. The body has specific cells that trigger inflammation when they detect a clear threat. It can help fight off an infection or help the body heal from injuries. However, if inflammation becomes chronic and prolonged, it can contribute to serious health problems.
Here are some common symptoms of inflammation in seniors:
• Inflammation can cause pain and swelling of the joints, muscles, tendons, and skin.
• Redness around the eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Swelling around the fingernails and toenails.
• Swollen tonsils or adenoids may appear as a lump in the throat (adenoid).
• You often find painful lymph nodes under the armpit, on the side of your chest, or above your collarbone. If a tumor is pressing on one of these areas, you may feel the pain that radiates through your body.
How to Treat Inflammation in Seniors
Inflammation can be a severe concern for seniors. Seniors already have many health problems like heart disease, so inflammation is something that you’ll want to target.
Inflammation can also cause pain and stiffness in your joints. So it may tempt you to think that something as simple as painkillers will help prevent future flare-ups. But unfortunately, they won’t get rid of old injuries or stop the progression of degenerative diseases such as arthritis.
Traditional Treatments
Corticosteroids – Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory drugs that can reduce swelling and pain.
They may decrease inflammation in joints, muscles, nerves, tendons, and other tissues. Examples include prednisone and hydrocortisone creams, ointments, and pills.
Doctors often prescribe corticosteroids at low doses to help stimulate the body’s immune system and reduce inflammation. Suppose your doctor prescribes a corticosteroid for you. They will probably recommend it for a limited time, usually about six weeks or less.
NSAID – Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen and naproxen, are the most common treatment for inflammation in seniors.
Doctors have shown these drugs to be effective for pain and fever relief in seniors with arthritis. Still, they can cause stomach problems and other side effects.
Medical professionals prefer NSAID therapy over steroidal agents for older adults because it has a lower risk of side effects and doesn’t require a prescription.
However, NSAIDs aren’t always effective at treating pain and swelling caused by arthritis or other conditions that cause joint damage.
COX-2 Inhibitors – They include Celebrex®, Vioxx®, Bextra®, Rocephin, and others.
They work by blocking the effects of one particular enzyme called cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2). COX-2 is involved in inflammation at both the cellular and systemic levels.
These drugs may relieve pain and swelling without causing gastrointestinal side effects or bleeding problems (such as ulcers). They may also reduce joint swelling caused by arthritis or gouty arthritis (Rheumatoid Arthritis).
Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs – (DMARDs), Doctors prescribe methotrexate or leflunomide for people with rheumatoid arthritis or progressive systemic sclerosis who have not responded adequately to other treatments. Other DMARDs include hydroxychloroquine and sulfasalazine.
Alternative Treatments
Home Remedies
Home remedies for inflammation in seniors are very effective and safe if used correctly. It is also essential to know that home remedies for arthritis can work effectively for those who want to avoid prescription medications.
There are various types of home remedies you can use to treat inflammation in seniors. For example, home remedies for arthritis include:
Hot and Cold Therapy – Hot and cold therapy helps to ease the pain of arthritis by increasing blood circulation and relieving pain to some extent.
Massage – The medical community widely accepts massage therapy. It’s an effective home remedy to treat inflammation in seniors. This is because massage therapy helps ease tissue pain and stiffness, relaxes muscles, and even strengthens weakened ones.
Acupuncture – Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese healing practice that involves inserting very thin needles into your body. This treatment treats everything from pain, stress, and depression. The medical community accepts it as a safe procedure in home remedies.
Yoga – Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years, and seniors commonly use it today. It is an exercise that incorporates stretching, breathing, and relaxation. Simple stretching exercises can remove toxins from the body and reduce swelling. We can do Yoga in our own homes, office, or at a local yoga studio.
Exercise – Exercise is one of the best ways to get relief from pain and stiffness. There are several benefits of exercising, like pain relief, improved strength, joint flexibility, etc., which make it worthwhile as far as senior health is concerned.
Weight Loss – Weight loss can be an effective way to treat inflammation in seniors. A study by the University of Wisconsin showed that weight loss was associated with better outcomes for people with arthritis. Besides improving joint flexibility, heavier individuals also suffer from more pain and stiffness.
Stop Smoking – According to the CDC, quitting smoking is one of the most important actions people who smoke can take to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease. This is because quitting smoking reduces markers of inflammation and hypercoagulability, two factors associated with heart disease.
Anti-Inflammatory Foods
Ginger – Since ancient times, we have used ginger for its health benefits and to ease ailments. This all-purpose spice can help improve digestion and treat seniors’ inflammation.
Turmeric – Turmeric is a spice used in Indian, Asian, and Middle Eastern cooking. It comes from a turmeric plant’s root and can be used as a food additive. The active compound in turmeric is curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory effects.
Cayenne Pepper – Cayenne peppers contain a compound called capsaicin, which people use as an antibiotic, anti-fungal, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory agent. It supports the body’s natural resistance to infection and might help to control blood sugar levels.
Apple Cider Vinegar – This type of vinegar contains acetic acid, a constituent of vinegar, which helps reduce swelling and boost circulation throughout the body. Many have known it to improve joint health, build muscle tissue, and provide pain relief in the spine area by reducing inflammation throughout the body.
Conclusion - How to Treat Inflammation in Seniors?
Inflammation can be a severe health problem for seniors. Fortunately, many treatment options are available to manage and reduce the risk of complications.
So if you know someone aging, share this information with them so they can learn the best way to treat inflammation in seniors.
For more information on senior health and assisted living, and memory care, contact Applewood Our House.
