Hips Archive

Setting health goals can help people in their 50s avoid developing a chronic condition that can hamper healthy aging. Goals can include improving balance through various exercises; learning a new skill to improve brain sharpness; seeking age-appropriate cancer screenings, such as for colorectal, cervical, and breast cancers; prioritizing bone health by boosting calcium and vitamin D intake and weight-bearing exercise; maintaining muscle strength through strength and resistance training; and paying closer attention to diet.

Inflammation is the body's response to an injury, allergy, or infection, a reaction that attempts to restore the health of the affected area. But that's only part of the story, because there are two types of inflammation, and it's important to know the difference-and what is and isn't true about all types.

Strength is not only measured by how much weight a person can lift, but by how well they perform certain movements that are needed to help them stay active, mobile, and injury-free. Three tests that offer a good assessment of strength are grip strength, push-ups, and the sit-and-rise exercise. They can measure strength and highlight areas where people need to improve.

Braces help some people cope with the pain, swelling, and stiffness of knee osteoarthritis. Examples include a knee sleeve, a compressive or stretchy tube that provides warmth and might help reduce knee swelling; an unloader brace, a long frame that fits on top of the leg and helps reduce pain by redistributing pressure on the knee; and a patella tracking brace, which combines the approaches of both knee sleeves and unloader braces to reduce knee pain, swelling, and pressure at the kneecap (patella).

Older adults with greater joint flexibility had a lower risk of death than those with less flexibility. Increased flexibility can improve mobility and reduce pain, which may keep people active and help them stay healthier.

Osteopenia and osteoporosis both involve a decline in bone density. Osteoporosis is more severe, significantly increasing the risk of fractures. Both conditions can be diagnosed with DEXA scanning, which measures calcium and other minerals in bone.