Individuals age 60 and older experience multiple pain types that may also be experienced by young adults. Those who are sixty or older are more susceptible to several types of pain, including joint pain, lower back pain, and abdominal pain.
Osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis are two common causes of lower back pain in older adults. Osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease, is considered the most common condition of the joints. Over 27 million Americans are affected by osteoarthritis and that number is expected to grow as the population ages. Osteoarthritis breaks down the cartilage between bones and causes pain and problems moving the joint. Over time, bones can break down and cause permanent joint damage.
Spinal stenosis is a condition which causes your spinal canal to narrow. This can cause pain because the open spaces between vertebrae get tighter. Tightness causes the spinal cord and the nerves around it to pinch creating pain, tingling, or even numbness in your torso, arms, and legs. A few specific symptoms of spinal stenosis are:
If you have one or more of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
Acute abdominal pain is another pain type usually reported in older patients. Acute pain refers to recent pain that can have life-threatening consequences if not treated correctly. A few common causes of abdominal pain are:
Abdominal pain has many causes and is usually hard to properly diagnose. Contact your doctor immediately if you start to feel severe pain in your abdominal area to help ensure it is dealt with safely.
While these are common pain types in elderly patients, the vast number of different conditions, causes, and symptoms can create multiple combinations of pain that can’t be placed in specific categories. At Garden State Pain Control, we specialize in pain management and pain treatment for patients of all ages. We understand the causes and symptoms of chronic and acute pain. Contact us online or call (973) 777-5444 to learn more about our services.