Living with Pain

The most common pains noted by seniors include arthritis, abdominal pains, fibromyalgia, headaches, and orofacial pains.

With older adults, many pain symptoms are often misdiagnosed, not treated adequately, or not diagnosed at all.  However, studies report that upwards of 60% to 80% of seniors live with some kind of consistent pain.  With the onset of degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, properly diagnosing a person's pain can be even more difficult.  By being aware of some of the most common pain complaints, though, seniors and their loved ones have a better chance to accurately diagnose pain symptoms and seek the most effective treatments. Among the most common physical ailments reported by seniors are; arthritis pains, abdominal pains, fibromyalgia, headaches, and orofacial pains. 

Video: Chronic Pain

Arthritis Pain

Regarding arthritis, there are more than 100 different identifiable types.  Osteoarthritis, however, is the most common type, affecting nearly 80% of older adults. 

The pain associated with osteoarthritis can severely limit a person's mobility and daily functioning.  The main symptom of it is acute pain in one's joints, resulting in stiffness and even loss of movement ability.  Though generally the ailment is clinically irreversible, therapeutic treatments can ease the pain and improve joint mobility.  The most common treatment plan involves medication and interventions like physical and occupational therapy.

Abdominal Pain

Another common complaint is pain in the abdominal region.  Commonly reported as a “stomach ache,” pain in this region is often minor but sometimes hints at a more serious condition.  Common causes of abdominal pain include gallstones, bowel obstruction, and gastroenteritis.  In general terms, remedies to ease abdominal pains include drinking sufficient amounts of water, eating a diet high in fiber, and exercising regularly.  But as the causes are so varied, doctors recommend paying close attention to pains reported in this region.  Anything mentioned consistently is, generally speaking, a cause for concern.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a condition marked by muscle and connective tissue pain.  Those suffering from it most frequently report muscular pain and tenderness, headaches, fatigue, swelling, and/or numbness.  There is no completely effective cure for fibromyalgia, but current treatment regimes incorporate pain medications, aerobic exercise and therapy (like massage and physical therapy), and alternative medicines.

Video: Fibromyalgia Awareness

Headaches

Headaches are one of the most reported pain issues noted by older adults and also one of the most general symptoms of more serious conditions.  If other unrelated or underlying medical issues have been ruled out, headaches can be attributed to three types: tension, migraine, and cluster.  The most common of those three types are tension headaches and affect nearly 90% women and 70% of men.  Most over-the-counter headache remedies, such as ibuprofen, are effective in short-term treatment, while those with chronic pains have responded well in many cases to medications with amitriptyline and mirtazapine, among others.  Acupuncture has even been reported as being effective in some sufferers.

Orofacial pains

Orofacial pains are concentrated in the face, mouth, and teeth.  Pains associated in this region stem from jaw aches, toothaches, dry mouth, and headaches.  Though sometimes symptoms in this region indicate more serious conditions like oral cancer, more often they are related to periodontal diseases, tooth decay, and/or side effects from various medications.  Regular, preventive dental treatment is one of the best ways to detect orofacial conditions and identify the most effective treatments.  Being aware of the most commonly reported pain issues noted by seniors will help doctors, caregivers, loved ones, and older adults alike in seeking the most effective treatments and remedies.  While many ailments are not entirely curable, there are options available for stemming pain symptoms.