Pain Archive

Do not let these common injuries stop your active lifestyle. Follow these steps to treat and prevent them.

 Image: Bigstock

An active life is a healthy one. Yet you might overdo it and injure a muscle, tendon, or ligament. "Strains, sprains, and cramps are common among older men and can limit their participation in their favorite sport or exercise," says Dr. Adam Tenforde, assistant professor in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School.

Fortunately, these injuries often respond well to treatment, so you can get back in action. Of course, if any injury is too painful or does not heal over an appropriate period, you should seek medical advice. But many times, you can manage these issues on your own.

Here's a rundown of the likely chain of events after you call 911.

For a suspected heart attack, paramedics can often perform initial testing in the ambulance while the patient is en route to the hospital. Image: Thinkstock

Every 43 seconds, someone in the United States has a heart attack. If one day that someone is you or a loved one, it may be helpful to know what's likely to happen, both en route to the hospital and after you arrive.

Treating underlying conditions and using helpful strategies may be all it takes to get you back on track.

Reading for pleasure is one of life's great gifts. It's an escape to another world or a path to increased knowledge. Plus, reading about a subject that's new to you challenges the brain, which may help create new brain cell connections. But many aspects of health can affect our ability to read in older age.

Physical changes

Chronic disease and age-related changes can have a big effect on your ability to read. Consider these factors: