Gray hair and occasional memory loss may be a normal part of aging, but is living in pain also part of getting older?  I have often wondered if this topic has been researched adequately.  I see many patients who report aches and pains that they have come to accept just because of getting older.

It is true that wear and tear of our joints in the knees, hips, and feet can lead to occasional aches and pains. This is different from chronic pain that is defined as pain experienced daily for over six months.  Yet, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH), fifty percent of seniors who live at home say they suffer from chronic pain. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that three-fifths of adults, 65 years and older, have pain that has lasted one year or longer.

A recent patient of mine, Pam, has lived with swelling, pain, and restlessness in her legs for several years. She loves to spend time with her three grandchildren including her beautiful 16-month-old granddaughter, Adeline.  She reported that her legs hurt at different times throughout the day and her ankles would swell up.  She would take breaks to elevate her legs and move them “back and forth” to alleviate the discomfort that was both debilitating and disruptive.   It turns out that Pam had varicose veins that were causing the pooling of blood in her legs.  A simple office-based procedure using laser restored function and eliminated the chronic pain in her legs. There was no downtime or restrictions, so she returned to caring for her grandchildren immediately following her one-hour procedure.

Modern science and medicine have enabled countless seniors to live free from disease and chronic pain while also prolonging their lives.  However, research has demonstrated that factors such as socializing and relationships are equally important factors for longevity and quality of life.  A small town in Southern London put this finding to test and combined one of the largest retirement homes with a nursery school. This project not only helped bridge the age divide but also infused a new wave of energy, with improved levels of functioning in the elderly who had advanced stages of dementia and physical limitations.

Life expectancy is higher than ever before and an estimated 10,000 people turn 65 each day. While love, family, and our relationships are essential parts of life, chronic pain does not have to be part of our beautiful journey on this planet. Call Alsara Vein Clinic at 816-396-0245 to set up a Consultation today.

Sam Gupta, M.D.