Once you reach 50 years of age, no matter how healthy and active you have been earlier, some health issues can start to bother you. Though many of us do not get bothered by small aches and pains, these at times could be an indication of a bigger problem. One common problem that most 50-year-old face is ‘knee pain’. Having the correct lifestyle can really help you in being knee-healthy. Here’s a guide on how to take care of your knee after the 50s.
- Correct Exercise
Though exercising daily is a detrimental factor, you need to go easy on yourself. Do not try to follow the gym regime that you did when you were 30! Discuss your routine with your doctor o your fitness instructor. Do not over exert yourself, even if you are trying to lose weight. Remember, moderation is the key.
- Manage Your Weight
An overweight body can increase your risk of getting osteoporosis. Its simple mathematics the more weight you put on your knees, the difficult it would be for them to carry. When you put extra weight on them you are putting undue stress on your knees. You need to maintain a normal BMI and even losing a few kilos can do wonders to your knee health.
- Take Supplements
In a recent report by a team of orthopedic doctors in Thane, Ghodbunder Road, it was reported that Vitamin D and calcium play a key role in maintaining healthy and fit bones. Though sunlight is the best natural way for the body to absorb Vitamin D, it is often advised to take the supplements for ensuring that you are keeping the risk of any knee related problems.
- A Heathy Diet
Eating a balanced diet becomes all the more important as you reach 50. Green leafy vegetables, fish, nuts, omega 3 acids are very good for your bones. It is commonly known that calcium is very good for our bones. You can add to your daily claim intake in the most natural ways too. Milk products are very rich in calcium and can be beneficial in keeping the knee problems at bay. If in case you are dairy intolerant, even soya is calcium enriched.
- Get Enough Sleep
Believe it or not, having a 7-8-hour sleep is instrumental in keeping your knee bones fit and healthy. It is regarded to be one of the most powerful ways to look after your joints and bones. Sleep deprivation can make you dizzy, lazy and can be a major factor in causing obesity. It therefore becomes very essential that you sleep enough.
- Keep Meeting The Doctor
Though you need not rush to the doctor for every little ache and pain, but it is imperative that you keep meeting him at regular intervals. An orthopedic doctor with regular checkups can gauge your bone health and give you timely advice. He can also keep a check to see if you are at the risk of osteoporosis.
- Give Up Smoking
If you haven’t done it already, it is probably high time to kick the butt. When you smoke, the carbon monoxide that is released displaces almost 20% of the oxygen from your hemoglobin. We all know that in case of an injury, it is the oxygen present in the tissues that helps in healing the wound. So, stop Smoking.
Ageing is unavoidable, but ageing gracefully is a choice that you can make. Do not stretch yourself too much and do not ignore your discomfort. Visit a doctor if you feel you are getting uncomfortable. You need to understand the changes that your body is going through. Enjoy the age you are in, after all they say that 50 is the age to preserve and strengthen your bones so that they rejuvenate for the coming years.