Stop Old Wounds From Hurting Again
A forgotten injury or illness can come back to haunt you. Here's how to keep problems in the past
Source: Prevention Magazine
Eighteen years ago, Jeannie Echtinaw was rushing to work, fell down the stairs, and broke her ankle. Fortunately, the fracture healed well. But 10 years later, she developed arthritis in the joint. "It became weak, swollen, and painful, and today it's hard for me to get around," says Echtinaw, now 58, of Lake Odessa, MI.
It didn't have to be that way. You probably don't realize that an injury or illness you thought was long behind you can evolve into a new problem years down the road. But if you've suffered troubles that can deliver a double whammy a fracture, a bout of food poisoning, or even a childhood case of chickenpox you can reduce your chances of falling victim a second time, or at least find effective ways to cope.
That was then: You broke a bone or tore (sprained) a ligament.
This is now: A fracture near a joint significantly increases your risk of developing arthritis as much as 15 or 20 years down the line, says William Doherty, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital outside of Boston. When you break your arm or leg, you may injure tissues that keep bones aligned; a slight misalignment can cause bones to grind wearing away cartilage and causing arthritis. A worse break can crack cartilage, leading more directly to painful joints.
Protect yourself: Exercise regularly. Strong muscles help keep bones in position and absorb the impact of daily activities. Try bicycling or swimming they're gentle on your joints.
Ease your pain: If you develop arthritis, talk with your doctor about the best treatment. Again, exercise helps: In a 2001 study of older, arthritic women, only 37% of those who worked out became limited in their movement, compared with 53% of those who didn't exercise. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can also reduce discomfort. For more serious pain, you may need a cortisone injection directly into the problem area or joint replacement surgery.
That was then: You had a case of chickenpox in earlier years.
This is now: You have about a 20% chance of developing shingles, according to the National Institute on Aging. The condition comes from a reactivation of the chickenpox virus, which lies dormant in your nerves after your initial infection. It can make an encore, particularly as you age and your immune system weakens. The consequences are serious: Blisters, fever, and fatigue can last for more than a month. In more than 40% of cases after age 70, shingles damages nerve fibers, causing long-lasting and excruciating pain.
Protect yourself: Zostavax, the first shingles vaccine, is designed for people over age 60 and cuts risk by about 50%. Exercise boosts its benefits those who receive the shot and practice tai chi have twice the increase in immunity as those who only get the injection, notes a recent study. Researchers think any activity or meditation may do the same.
Ease your pain: See your doctor right away to discuss antiviral drugs; they can speed your recovery and decrease pain if taken early enough.
That was then: You were exposed to an STD.
This is now: You may have pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), caused by an untreated sexually transmitted disease, or STD (usually chlamydia or gonorrhea), spreading from the cervix or vagina to the fallopian tubes. At first, PID may produce few or mild symptoms, such as unusual vaginal discharge or discomfort during urination or intercourse. But over decades, it can lead to life-changing consequences, including ectopic pregnancy, infertility, and chronic pain. "A woman could contract an STD in her 20s and only in midlife or beyond see these repercussions," says Michael Pepi, MD, a clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Brown Medical School.
Protect yourself: Think you might have PID? See your gynecologist as soon as possible. Get tested for STDs (it usually requires a simple cervical swab); if you test positive, a transvaginal ultrasound imaging of the reproductive organs can help your doctor determine a PID diagnosis. Get checked even if you're not currently sexually active because undiagnosed cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea can silently progress for years.
Ease your pain: If you have PID, your doctor will probably prescribe a combination of antibiotics, which should make you feel better in about a week and prevent further damage. Your sexual partner should also see his physician and be treated he may carry the infection and can easily pass it back to you.
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