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Pain Hurts At Any Age

And It Should Be Seen As A Warning To Take Action

It may ache, it may throb, it may sting, it may twinge, it may pinch, it may smart, and sometimes it may just plain hurt a lot. It’s the sensory experience we call PAIN. These uncomfortable sensations are the body’s way of letting us know something is wrong.

There is a common belief that our sensitivity to pain decreases with age, so seniors don’t hurt as much. That is not true. The intensity of pain remains with the elderly. However, their response to pain may change. Seniors may be more accepting of their discomfort. They may feel it is a natural part of the aging process, which it is not. Or, maybe they don’t want to be seen as a complainer, appear frail or be a burden.

For whatever reason, some seniors keep their hurt to themselves. This strategy can backfire. Pain is a warning to take action. Ignoring that warning can lead to an increase of pain that’s too severe to hide.

As part of the body’s emergency warning system, pain may be accompanied by swelling, the shivers, fever and/or tears.

Acute

Chronic

This is the nervous system’s normal way to alert a person of disease, injury or the need to take care of oneself. The pain usually lasts for a short time, from an instant to a maximum of 3 months. It may be constant or intermittent. It is commonly more severe at the start, lessening over time. This type of pain usually goes away when the cause has been treated or cured.

There are many sources of acute pain. Here are some ailments and situations that may cause a senior to experience this type of pain.

  • Muscle strains and sprains, many times due to overuse or poor posture on a given day.
  • Toothaches and gum soreness.
  • Colds, flu, headaches and other illnesses.
  • Traumas caused by surgery, falls, etc.
  • Sore feet, especially from ill fitting shoes.

In many cases, when an acute pain is not treated or cured, it can become a chronic pain.

This is a persistent type of pain that lasts beyond the time period anticipated for healing, commonly in excess of 3 months. The intensity of this pain can vary from a mild ache that becomes a routine part of life to a mind-numbing, sensation that hurts so much it is disabling.

There are many sources of chronic pain. Here are some ailments and situations that may cause a senior to experience this type of pain.

  • Osteoporosis.
  • Arthritis and degenerative joint disease.
  • Diabetes and pressure ulcers.
  • Post-stroke syndromes.
  • Cancer. (May be caused by the treatment, as well as the disease - a.k.a. malignant pain.)
  • Headaches and gum disease.
  • Lower back disorders and nerve disorders.
(Source: NIH Neurological Inst., Amer. Pain Foundation)