September is Chronic Pain Awareness Month. Check out internationalpain.org for more detailed information and resources on chronic pain (physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional). Below are some of the facts I found interesting when it comes to chronic pain.
Here are some interesting facts about chronic pain to familiarize yourself with during pain awareness month:
- 1 in 3 adults in the United States experiences a chronic illness with pain as a symptom. This means over 100 million people live with daily pain lasting 6 months or more.
- The most common types of chronic pain are back pain, neck pain, and arthritis. Other common types of chronic pain include headaches, nerve pain, and pain from injuries or surgery.
- Chronic pain can significantly impact a person’s physical, emotional, and social well-being. It can interfere with sleep, work, relationships, and activities of daily living.
- There is no cure for chronic pain, but there are treatments that can help to manage the pain and improve quality of life. These treatments may include medication, physical, psychological, and complementary therapies.
- People with chronic pain are at increased risk for depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems. They are also more likely to have chronic conditions like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
- Chronic pain is a major public health problem. It costs the U.S. economy billions of dollars yearly in lost productivity and healthcare costs.
Here are some additional facts that you may find interesting:
- Women are more likely than men to experience chronic pain.
- People over 65 are more likely to experience chronic pain than younger people.
- People who have experienced a traumatic event, such as an injury or surgery, are more likely to develop chronic pain.
- People with certain chronic conditions, such as arthritis, cancer, and diabetes, are more likely to experience chronic pain.
If you are experiencing chronic pain, you must see a doctor to get a diagnosis and treatment plan.
Creating an oasis, getting good hydration, and learning about your condition is essential. There are many effective treatments available, and you should not have to suffer in silence. You can use Chronic Pain Awareness Month as a great time to start to learn. It is crucial to learn as a patient, caregiver, legislator, or family member.
Author: Barby Ingle
Published by: KB Companies, LLC