ORANGE —
Q. My right knee has begun to ache on a regular basis and has affected my ability to complete my weekly household chores. The doctor said at my age – 82 – it’s not a surprise. I want to stay in my home, and I can’t see loading up on pain pills. Maybe my doctor hasn’t heard about new supplements that were promoted in a recent TV commercial; I’m open to all possibilities.
A. Your doctor probably chose not to recommend supplements for several reasons, one of which could be the revelation from a recent study that indicates no supplement will help.
No medical treatments have been established to influence the course of knee osteoarthritis, according to background on a study that recently was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
When specifically examining vitamin D supplements for pain relief of age-related knee osteoarthritis, the researchers said seniors should consider another option.
You should know that ruling out vitamin D supplements as a possibility wasn’t a quick conclusion. The two-year clinical trial, in which the average age of the subjects was 62, found a placebo did as much good as vitamin D in relieving pain or saving cartilage. “Some studies,” the authors point out, “have suggested that vitamin D may protect against structural progression.”
One option to help solve the household chore dilemma could be a professional caregiver, such as one from the local Home Instead Senior Care® office. A CAREGiverSM could help with light housekeeping, meal preparation and medication reminders. If transportation and errands are a challenge, a CAREGiver might step in to assist with those services as well. And, who knows, you may strike up a friendship with your CAREGiver that would help make daily activities even more enjoyable.
Be sure to rely on your doctor’s advice about treatment options, and don’t be afraid to ask for the help you need to remain in your home.
For more information about Home Instead Senior Care®, contact 40-892-7494 or go to www.homeinstead.com. To read more about the study, visit http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleID=1556148&utm_source=Silverchair+Information+Systems&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MASTER%3AJAMALatestIssueTOCNotification01%2F08%2F2013.
Lifestyle
Study: Supplement Did Not Help With Osteoarthritis
- Lifestyle
-
-
Masquerade at the Mansion for BC Junior-Senior Prom
Bridge City High School held its annual Junior-Senior Prom on Saturday, May 11, at The Brown Center in Orange.
-
Orange resident becoming king of ‘Ts’
It all started with a dollar.
-
Gnats, dead roaches lower score for Senor Toro
Senor Toro Mexican Restaurant located at 2308 Lutcher Drive in Orange, received a 70 out of a possible 100 during a recent health code inspection.
-
Celebrating 104 years young
Inez Turner, left, celebrated 104 years on Saturday, May 17.
-
Book Review: Adopting Darrell
The number of cases of Shaken Baby Syndrome are only estimates as many cases are misdiagnosed.
-
At 81, Oklahoma alumnus finally attends graduation
The IBM 650 computer system kept Harold Newland from his University of Oklahoma graduation.
-
Serving our country 5.18.13
Airman 1st Class Andrea K. Rhodes
-
How civilians can lend military families a helping hand
The 3rd Saturday of May is Armed Forces Day
-
Orange County concluded divorce proceedings 5.18.13
The following divorces were reported by the office of Vickie Edgerly, Orange County District Clerk, for the week of April 20 - 26, 2013:
-
Orange County marriage licenses issued 5.18.13
The following couples were reported to have obtained marriage licenses in the office of Karen Jo Vance, Orange County Clerk, during the week of May 13 - 17, 2013:
- More Lifestyle Headlines
-
