So many seniors struggle with inflammation, it is not uncommon to hear your loved one start complaining as they age. But how can you help them battle inflammation when it’s something that happens internally? First, you should always help your senior get to their doctor for regular checkups and ensure they are openly communicating any issues. You may think your mom or dad is just stubborn, but they may be leaving out information that’s important for the doctor to know because they can’t remember certain things, or they may not notice their own habits. If you’re not always around, they may benefit from having extra help from home care assistants who may also be allowed in the doctor’s appointment to take notes and communicate on behalf of the senior. Although this is a great first step, there are many other things your senior can do at home to ensure they are avoiding as much inflammation as possible.
Understand What Can Cause Inflammation
Several things can actually cause inflammation. Also, remember that not all inflammation is bad; some can help a body recover from hard workouts or even an illness. However, prolonged inflammation can be painful, and it can be caused by many things. It may be due to stress, infections, allergies, injuries, or trauma. It’s important to talk to a doctor to figure out what is causing this chronic inflammation.
Take Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
If your senior is battling inflammation for a short period, they may benefit from taking an over-the-counter medication like Tylenol, ibuprofen, or aspirin. If your senior is on any other medications, they should find out which one will be best for them. If none of these options are good, their doctor may recommend something else to take.
Attend Yoga Classes
This exercise has been around for thousands of years and will help improve circulation and inflammation in a seniors body. Yoga focuses on stretching, flexibility, and breathing and is thought to reduce toxins in a person’s body. This is something that can be done in a professional class at a local gym, or it can be done at home with a YouTube video guiding your loved one.
Focus on Eating Right
Eating tons of salt and sugar or packaged foods can lead to serious inflammation. Focus on helping your loved one eat fresh foods that will limit the inflammation they feel in their bodies. Diet may directly impact how physically good your loved one feels, but they may not even know it.
Quit Smoking and Drinking
Smoking not only impacts the lungs but also increases inflammation and cancer risks. Drinking alcohol interferes with the body’s defenses which can lead to inflammation in the body. If a senior is drinking and smoking, it can be a hard habit to kick. Luckily, there are tons of resources out there to help your loved one try to quit these habits. The best thing you can do for your loved one is support and encourage them to make healthy decisions with their bodies.
If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Ahoskie, NC, please contact the caring staff at East Carolina Home Care today. Call (252) 335-1409
Providing quality home care for seniors and families in and around Canton, Edenton, Ahoskie, South Mills, Moyock, Windsor, Plymouth, Manteo, Kill Devil Hills and Elizabeth City in North Carolina.
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