Some sicknesses are age-related, little wonder why some people get scared when they begin to advance in age, they even make a statement about approaching their grave, but I believe instead of getting scared, we only need to get prepared for the possibility of some forms of occurrence and how to possibly prevent them from happening to us.
A good example of an age-related condition is polymyalgia rheumatica, although its main cause is not known, it is believed to be a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Most people who are diagnosed with the condition are usually above the age of 65, it is rare to find a person who is younger than 50 to be diagnosed, it is also more common amongst women than it is with men.
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The symptoms and signs of polymyalgia rheumatica often occur on both sides of the body, and they include;
Stiffness or pain in the wrist, knees, or elbow.
Stiffness in affected regions, especially in the morning or after being inactive for some time.
Pain or ache in the buttocks, upper arm, thighs, or hips.
Pain in the shoulder.
Limited motion in affected areas.
There could also be more general signs aside from those mentioned above, we have the likes of; depression, appetite loss, fatigue, mild fever, malaise, and unintended loss of weight.
Once you are above the age of 50 and you go to the hospital with thes conditions, it is most likely that you will first be considerd for a case of polymyalgia rheumatica and symptoms will be administered if that is the case. If there are doubts or compelling factors, you may be referred to a rheumatologist.
Some forms of imaging scans may be requested occasionally to rule out other conditions, some of the imaging scans are; magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans.
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A case of complication could arise in the area of getting dressed, combing hair, bathing, standing up from a chair, getting out of your car, and even getting out of bed.
There is a steroid medicine called PREDNISOLONE, this medicine is the main treatment for polymyalgia rheumatica, it would help relieve the symptoms felt. A moderate dose may be prescribed at the beginning which will gradually be reduced as time goes on. Most people who have polymyalgia rheumatica will require a steroid treatment that may last from 12 months to up to 2 years, this is to prevent the symptoms from returning.
The steroid treatment reduces inflammation, and although they cannot cure the condition the symptom should significantly reduce it. Some people are at more risk of the possible side effects that may accompany the intake of steroids. Diabetes, peptic ulcer, cataract, recent fracture, high blood pressure, and glaucoma. If you belong to any of these groups, your doctor would prescribe drugs alongside steroid treatment to help reduce any risk that may come up.
It is very wrong of you to stop or alter the dose of steroid tablets unless advised by the doctor, even in a case when symptoms have cleared up completely, this is because once you are taking steroid tablets, your body stops producing steroids called cortisol, and it will take some time before the production of natural steroids resumes when the medicine is stopped or reduced.
A lot of people with the case of polymyalgia rheumatica will develop a more serious condition called TEMPORAL ARTERITIS, its other name is GIANT CELL ARTERITIS, this condition is when the arteries in the neck and the head become inflamed. Symptoms include;
An issue with eyesight like double vision, or loss of vision in one or both eyes.
Frequent or new form of headache that usually develops on its own.
Pain experienced in the jaw muscle or tongue during eating or talking.
Sight problems like double vision or loss of vision of both or one eye.
Drinking or smoking will increase your chances of developing osteoporosis, also ensure that you engage in some weight-bearing exercises and consumption of vitamin D and calcium.
Read more about polymyalgia rheumatica
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/polymyalgia-rheumatica/symptoms-causes/syc-20376539
https://versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/polymyalgia-rheumatica-pmr/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/25215-polymyalgia-rheumatica