UK's 'silent epidemic' leaving almost 28 million Brits in horrific pain

03 June 2023 , 20:29

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Chronic pain often goes unrecognised according to experts who deal with patients suffering with the condition (Image: Getty Images)

More than 28 million Brits live in agony thanks to a serous pain they live with, dubbed the “silent epidemic” by some experts.

Chronic pain often goes unrecognised, undiagnosed and vastly underestimated, according to experts who deal with patients suffering with the condition.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) says women are more likely to report or experience chronic pain.

It is often devastating to the millions who have it and it is one of the biggest causes of disability in the UK.

Among the sufferers is TV host Eamonn Holmes who has long documented his suffering with chronic pain and described the experience over the past two years as “soul-destroying”.

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The 63-year-old GB News presenter’s chronic pain was caused by a dislocated pelvis and a trapped sciatic nerve, among many other health concerns.

Here we take a look at the condition.

What is chronic pain?

(Getty Images)

The term includes a variety of pain syndromes describing pain which has persisted beyond the expected period of recovery.

The NHS says: “Chronic or persistent pain is pain that carries on for longer than 12 weeks despite medication or treatment”.

Most people get back to normal after pain following an injury or operation. But sometimes the pain carries on for longer or comes on without any history of an injury or operation.

Chronic pain can also affect people living with:

• diabetes

• arthritis

• fibromyalgia

• irritable bowel

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• back pain

What causes chronic pain?

There are many possible causes of chronic pain, says NICE. It may be caused by:

• An acute injury

• An ongoing degenerative illness

• A primary condition

• Surgery or medical interventions

The symptoms can be very varied and unusual and may be described as burning, tingling, shooting or a numb sensation.

Other sensations, such as extreme sensitivity to touch, heat, cold, and temperature and colour changes are all common and part of the body’s way of reacting to and coping with chronic pain.

How to stop chronic pain

Scientific research shows pain lasting longer than three months is likely to be due to changes in the nervous system rather than as a result of ongoing damage or injury, says one NHS musculoskeletal service.

Therefore, tests such as x-rays and MRI scans that look at the state of tissue are often negative or inconclusive and therefore are not often needed.

This means pain is a result of a sensitised nervous system, which x-rays and scans are unable to detect.

Things you can do to help your-self include

• Learning about the causes of persistent pain

• Remain active by planning, prioritising and pacing your activities

• Talk to friends and family about how they can support you to stay active

• Learning ways to improve your mental health

• Using meditation and or relaxation techniques

• Improving your sleep

• Speak to your employer about ways of adapting your role / work environment.

Antony Clements-Thrower