Surveys suggest that about 50% of all
adults aged 65+ experience bothersome pain every month, often in
multiple parts of the body. Persistent pain is linked to decreased
social and physical activity, depression, and taking worse care of
one’s own health. Pain can also be a sign of a new health problem
that needs attention or a chronic problem that’s being inadequately
managed.
Pain can and should be treated with
non-drug approaches whenever possible. Studies have found that pain
can often be lessened through certain types of psychotherapy,
exercises or physical therapy, and many other treatments. Treatment
with medication may still be necessary, especially for short-term
purposes or in combination with other treatments. Bear in mind that
many over-the-counter pain medications (such as Advil and Motrin) are
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are risky for
older adults when used chronically or in high doses.
People with type 2 diabetes often have
neuropathy pain and this should not be treated with NSAIDs.
Excellent blood glucose management does more to lessen the pain and
will over time greatly reduce the pain. There are other medications
that will help more than NSAIDs.
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