Chronic pain among young people
Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts more than 12 weeks despite treatment or medication, most commonly as arthritis or musculoskeletal conditions, and typically treated with opioids or antidepressants. Currently more than 15m people in the UK are affected.
Worryingly, this is said to be caused disproportionately among younger patients as a result of stress, sedentary lifestyles, obesity and work stress. Research shows that an alarming 91% of 18-24-year-olds feel stress at work.
Medical cannabis clinic Mamedica adds that this might be having direct effects on physical health as they found 18% of Gen Zs say they have sustained an injury at work leaving them with chronic pain.
Mamedica also found that a staggering 60% of Gen Zs state that chronic pain has been persistent for more than five years and even more so, one in five (22%) are no longer seeking help from their GPs.
NHS strikes have resulted in cancelled appointments and delayed treatment leaving many to seek alternative medications – 26% say they have tried at least three different medications for their chronic pain.
Read more Insights here...