In Home Care and Inflammation Inflammation often gets a bad rap. Many people associate inflammation with pain, disease, and sickness. In reality, inflammation is the response to the body fighting to stay healthy. The issue many seniors face is chronic inflammation or autoimmune disorders. In these cases, the body remains in a constant state of inflammation or becomes inflamed when the body mistakenly fights against itself. Some of the things that cause parts of the body to become inflamed include bacteria, viruses, parasites, and cancerous cells. An example of an autoimmune disorder causing inflammation is rheumatoid arthritis. Because inflammation is typically painful, medication is often taken to reduce the symptoms. While prescription …show more content…
Yet, many do so without realizing it. Smoking, stress, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle all make chronic inflammation worse and can antagonize autoimmune disorders. A poor diet can also antagonize inflammation. A few of the worst of these foods are those high in trans fats, saturated fats, and hydrogenated oils. There are some foods that actually help alleviate the discomfort from inflammation and can reduce the swelling as well. Among the most common of these foods are those high in Omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, tuna, flax, and nuts. Many vegetables, such as broccoli and spices like cloves, oregano, garlic, and turmeric are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. While coffee may make inflammation worse, green tea is said to make it better. While inflammation in and of itself is not a bad thing, chronic pain from it is a different issue entirely. If your senior loved one suffers from chronic inflammation, an in home care aide can provide valuable assistance. While light housekeeping and other help around the home are beneficial, in home care can also help with shopping, preparing nutritious meals, and helping enhance your loved one 's social life. After all, in the end, it 's about independence and quality of