Getting older doesn’t mean that you will need surgical procedures. A recent review conducted for BMC Medicine found that aging by itself wasn’t at fault for increased surgical issues.
Yet, after surgery, recovery may take more time and involve greater risk for older people. Fragility, conflicting medical conditions and medications, and declining mental health are all in play when the elderly try to recover from surgery.
On the bright side, several natural remedies can help older people stay out of the operating room.
From eating well to physical therapy, seniors can take advantage of these lifestyle changes to help stay healthy.
In the following article, we’ll discuss ways to help older people to keep clear of the hospital through some simple better living techniques.
Light Exercise
Even seniors with a serious illness or chronic pain should find ways to exercise. Ailments like heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity can be enumerated by exercise. But the most beneficial results for you are boosted immune system and improved cardiovascular and respiratory functions.
Some suggestions for exercise include swimming, walking, and using a stationary bike. Other exercises that seniors can try are lunges, crunches, and modified push-ups.
Also, burning calories through light exercise can help increase a senior’s appetite. This leads right into a healthy diet.
Watch What You Eat
One in four senior Americans has poor nutrition, according to a leading aging resource group. Fortunately, a well-balanced diet is attainable and can help maintain your weight, pump your system with nutrients, and help you avoid illnesses like diabetes and heart disease.
Taking in a proper amount of calories for your age and activity level can help promote healthy muscles and bones. On the other hand, not getting enough calories can hinder proper organ health and lead to malnutrition.
Avoid processed foods and those high in cholesterol or sugar.
One tip is to make sure you are taking in enough vitamin K. You can get this vitamin from leafy greens like kale and spinach. Vitamin K helps the body regulate clotting and bone metabolism.
Physical Therapy
One of the most understood alternatives to surgery in older Americans is the use of physical therapy. If you suffer from arthritic knees, meniscal tears, and spinal stenosis, then you may find physical therapy as a way to avoid surgery and reduce pain. A trained physical therapist can help alleviate persistent swelling and stiffness for knees, necks, and spines.
Natural Remedies and Supplements
There are many natural remedies on the market to help keep the body sound while aging. From lavender essential oil to help sleep to cloves to relieve tooth pain, natural remedies can help combat a wide range of maladies.
A 2013 study found that inhaling Eucalyptus oil regularly reduced recovery time for hip replacement surgery.
Consult an Expert
No matter what approach you decide on, you should do your research and consult a doctor. You’ll want to make sure your body can handle an exercise routine. Any dietary changes need to make you healthier. And any natural remedies you take should not run afoul of your medications.
Did you find this information helpful? For more articles on health and wellness, search this website.