MUSC Wellness

www.We l l nes sCenterMagaz i ne. com | 7 In terms of exercise, Fields suggested exercising through daily pains such as arthritis. “Exercise creates a chemical in the brain that makes you feel better. Movement is always better for pain, and, while you may need medication – it would be your doctor’s recommendation whether you take an anti-inflammatory or something else – ex - ercise certainly helps,” Fields explained. “I encourage all of my patients experiencing pain to exercise through the pain. Initially they usually don’t feel a difference, but they get to a point where they realize the exercise is helping them feel better.” While you should consult your physician before starting or changing any medication regimen, Fields said she often rec- ommends to those with arthritis that they take their medication about an hour before they plan to exercise and develop that into a routine. Eventually they may not need the medication for exercise because their body begins to react to the chemical response exercise produces. To balance your active lifestyle as a senior, eating well plays a large part in maintaining good health. “As we age, our metabolism slows, so it is very important to be cognizant of what we intake,” said Fields. “Limiting your sugar and carbohydrate intake is important throughout life but certainly as we age. Lots of vegetables are good, but it’s also a good idea to talk to your doctor about any nutritional supple- ments they recommend.” Exercising through the pain and eating right are great steps toward maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle, but if you experi- ence symptoms such as dizziness or anything that could imme- diately put your health at risk, it’s best to stop and contact your doctor. “You should always keep a journal of things going on with your body. If you’re experiencing dizziness, the doctor won’t be able to help very much if you just say ‘I get dizzy sometimes.’ Write down the time and what you’re doing when the dizziness starts. It could be a warning sign for many things, like hypovole- mia or dehydration,” Fields recommended. In the face of these mounting potential health drawbacks to aging, many seniors don’t know where to begin in order to live a healthy lifestyle, and often they are afraid of taking on too much. Others who had led active lifestyles in the past sometimes find themselves taking a break and then have trouble getting back into their past routines. In fact, statistics show that most people over the age of 65 don’t maintain an active lifestyle and therefore don’t reap the health benefits of exercise. STAY ACTIVE