Many seniors struggle with arthritis, and it can be so painful. It may even make it hard to do things, which can lead to trouble when wanting to age in place. Home care professionals can help seniors with arthritis, but seniors should also take care of themselves. Inflamed joints, stiffness, and pain may make it hard to move about and enjoy formerly pleasurable activities when you have arthritis. How about headaches; does arthritis also cause them? Here are some things you need to know about arthritis and taking care of a senior.
What Exactly Is Arthritis?
The word “arthritis” covers more than one hundred distinct illnesses that manifest themselves clinically as painful joints or joint disease. Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling are common symptoms of many diseases. These signs and symptoms may start modest and gradually deteriorate over time, or they may be severe from the start.
Can This Condition Cause a Senior to Have Headaches?
If your senior complains of headaches, and you know they suffer from arthritis, know that this disease can cause headaches and other pains. Osteoarthritis, the most prevalent arthritis, is particularly prone to this. Rather than coming from inside your skull, your immune system causes the pain fighting the vertebrae in your neck. Spinal inflammation affects blood flow to the brain by tricking the body into thinking there is a pain in the neck. As a result, you may get arthritis headaches or other forms of arthritic head discomfort.
Having home care around to help your senior can allow some stress to be taken off of you or your senior. They may help ensure a senior stays comfortable throughout the day, and reduced stress may help seniors battle headaches and inflammation easier. Stress can be a big factor in both headaches and arthritis. Home care can minimize stress, allowing a senior to be healthier.
Arthritis Headache Symptoms to Watch For
When you first experience symptoms of a headache from arthritis in the neck, it may seem like you have a stiff neck, rather than a headache. It will start at the base of your skull and work its way up your back. In most cases, you’ll have more discomfort on only one side of your head, and you won’t have any pain in the temples.
Tingling and weakness in your arms, neck, and scalp are other symptoms of arthritis headaches. A degenerated disk in your neck might be to blame for the pain you’re feeling. Some doctors may incorrectly classify arthritic headaches as migraines, since the symptoms are similar. If you’ve had chronic migraines, this is particularly true.
Is There Any Treatment?
Seeing a doctor to confirm arthritis causes your headaches is the first step in getting relief. Physical therapy may help if you have a pinched nerve. Some drugs may be administered if your discomfort is the result of anything else. A neck brace may be worn to alleviate discomfort, or surgery may be performed in extreme situations.
No one should endure the pain of arthritis alone. Despite the complexity of the condition and lack of a solution, you may find support from those who understand your experience. Consult a medical professional if you think that condition causes your arthritic headaches. Hopefully, you can work together to find a solution that alleviates your problems.
For more information about how caregivers at La Jolla Nurses Homecare can help your aging parents stay in their own homes, call 858-454-9339. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable senior care in La Jolla, CA, and the surrounding communities.
Today we are the oldest and most experienced private duty agency in San Diego County.She saw a need for quality private duty home health care and she worked diligently to build an agency that filled that need.I am proud to say, her vision is carried on today with our dedicated staff.
I believe our tenure in the community speaks well for us.We have had the opportunity to be of service to countless interesting individuals, including local and worldwide celebrities.It is the people we care for that makes this a fascinating industry.Whether high profile or a more ordinary citizen, we are proud that thousands have entrusted us with their care or the care of their loved ones.Our Mission is to provide high quality, very secure and the most compassionate home health care.We believe that patients heal faster and are happiest when they can stay in their homes.”
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