Aging women often become more prone to the risk of injury. Prevention is critical to taking care of yourself and avoiding such injuries, but sometimes they happen. Something as simple as a minor fall can cause a fracture or sprain.

Even if you are in good health, the risk of injury remains. Other common factors contributing to injury also happen far more regularly for women than men. In examining the type of injuries that occur frequently among women, you can look at some ways to help recovery and the type of role that life management plays.

Common Injuries for Active and Aging Women

Besides aging, there are several types of injuries that women suffer, even if they are active or play sports. Aging can also exacerbate some of these problems. The most significant difference between women and men is that hip structure, from a biological standpoint, makes women more predisposed to lower body injuries.

The knees, legs, and feet are more commonplace to see women’s injuries, which include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Kneecap pain or problems
• Stress fractures
• Tendonitis
• Shin splints
• ACL tears
• Ankle sprains
• Plantar fasciitis
• Swollen legs and feet
• Joint pain
• Pulled muscles

Other common issues women see often revolve around urinary incontinence as they age due to the pelvic muscles becoming weaker. Certain health events that are more unique to women, such as pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause, revolve around the bladder muscles and nerves, so it is far more likely for them to experience bladder issues. 

During menopause, women experience issues like loss of strength, reduced flexibility, and increased body fat. They can lead to many other serious problems, such as osteoporosis and lack of balance.

Injury Prevention 

Preventing the injury can be helpful; some key things to do as you find yourself more predisposed to hurting your body can be as simple as maintaining a healthy weight, incorporating more exercise, eating more nutrient-dense meals, and checking your surroundings when you are in unfamiliar places or spaces.

Exercise is a huge benefit to your health; it ensures you can maintain muscle mass so you don’t become weaker, especially if you’re over forty. Being strong and coordinated go together, so you’re less likely to experience falls or twists. And if you do sustain an injury, if you’re healthy and active, you’ll heal faster.

Falls can also be hazardous for aging women since a fall can lead to issues like bruising, scrapes, fractures, and broken bones. There are other major risk factors for women, and the leading cause of injury may be surprising.

For women dealing with leg swelling or problems in their legs, feet, and knees, you should discuss some options with a doctor. There are several benefits of compression socks to help with joint pain, swelling, and blood flow that are good for women. Compression socks are great if you sit or stand for long periods, travel often, or deal with swelling in your legs, ankles, or feet.

You may also want to discuss options with your doctor for medications or look at the medicines you’re already on to see if anything can be adjusted or changed. There are vitamins and supplements that can help with hormonal issues, and physical therapy may be necessary for your strength, posture, and balance.

Domestic Violence

Women are at the greatest risk for injuries sustained due to domestic violence. Unfortunately, it’s one of the significant causes of injury to women – even more likely than a car accident or mugging. Women can experience sprains, fractures, and broken bones with domestic violence.

Other injuries that stem from dealing with domestic violence include the following:

• Lesions
• Abrasions
• Bruising
• Stabs

The risk of death from domestic violence is very high for women. One third of the homicides from women in the United States are committed solely by a spouse or a partner.

Recovery and Life Management

Many women who deal with an injury sustained from a domestic dispute stay with their partner despite the higher risk to their life. If women can seek care and find treatment for their injury through life management resources, they are often provided therapeutic treatment and education along with their recovery time.

The educational part of recovery involves life management; or a drastic change to their life. Women have to learn to be completely honest, ask for help when they are scared, and learn to practice more self-care. 

Recovery is more than just getting over your injuries. It’s a process of change where women need to work on improving their wellness and health simultaneously. Women experience different mental health issues than men; men tend to act more aggressively, whereas women typically have more fatigue, sadness, and lack of motivation.

The mental effects of dealing with this type of recovery can far outweigh the physical injuries. Women often find themselves suffering from issues like depression and anxiety as victims of domestic violence and abuse. 

Your recovery may incorporate some things like diet and exercise, but also learning other new habits to help with your mental health, such as:

• Mindfulness
• Meditation
• Relationship building
• Journaling
• Sleep

These activities are geared to help women learn to enjoy their life more fully. Healthy habits like these provide purpose and allow women to reach more of their potential, driving for something more. The recovery involves a life discovery and making changes that can benefit women long-term.

Don’t Wait – Seek Help

It’s essential for women to address injuries when they happen, but the ones you don’t always see that involve mental health are imperative for a life management recovery. It’s never too late to adjust your lifestyle, that can benefit your mental and physical health.

If you or someone you know is suffering from injuries, be they physical or emotional (or a combination of both), it’s necessary to seek help from a professional doctor, therapist, or counselor. The support women gain can help them create a happier, healthier life for themselves and their loved ones.

The post Women’s Injuries and the Role of Life Management in Recovery appeared first on The Everywomen.

The post Women’s Injuries and the Role of Life Management in Recovery appeared first on The Everywomen.