Chronic pain conditions
Chronic pain conditions are a major public health problem, affecting millions of people worldwide. They include back pain, neck pain, joint and musculoskeletal pain, chronic pain after surgery, and neuropathic pain conditions such as sciatica and post-herpetic neuralgia.
Prevalence
Up to 20% of adults have chronic pain, with around 8% having severe disabling chronic pain conditions that impact their mood, sleep, employment, social function, and quality of life.
Risk factors
Many of these patients have risk factors for chronic pain that can be addressed to prevent chronic pain conditions from developing in the future. These risk factors include obesity, smoking, physical inactivity, and certain medical conditions such as diabetes and arthritis.
Impact
Chronic pain has a significant impact on individuals, families, and society as a whole. It can lead to decreased productivity, absenteeism from work, and increased healthcare costs. Chronic pain can also have a negative impact on relationships and social isolation.
Disparities
Chronic pain disproportionately affects people in poverty and living in rural areas. This is likely due to a number of factors, including limited access to healthcare, higher rates of obesity, and more physically demanding jobs.
Chronic pain is a complex and challenging condition, but there are effective treatments available and steps that can be taken to prevent it from developing in the first place. If you are experiencing chronic pain, it is important to see a doctor to get a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan.
Here are some of the common pain conditions:
