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A Consumer Health Information
Centre (CHIC) survey (1) showed
that 16-24 years olds were
the most likely to experience
feelings of anger and aggression
as a result of pain, but they
are the least likely to take
anything to relieve the pain.
We all experience
pain to some degree, with
the headache, the most common
pain, being experienced by
96% of the population at some
time in their lives. (2) Other
common pains include backache,
muscular pain and aches and
pains caused by the common
cold.
Pain does not
go away if it is ignored,
in fact the sensation of pain
will increase (see What is
pain - vicious circle) although
the cause of the pain may
not change. Health care professionals
recommend pain relief to limit
the amount of pain experienced
and to allow the body to concentrate
on getting better.
"Pain is something
we all experience. It is miserable
- we feel drained, tired,
lose our concentration and
can lose control of our emotions.
If the cause is known, then
taking something to relieve
the pain, in the knowledge
that it will help you get
through the tasks in hand,
makes sense" explains Dr Catti
Moss of the Consumer Health
Information Centre (CHIC).
"What's more, many of the
pain relievers available may
help relieve some of the causes
by reducing fever or swelling".
Dr Patricia Wilkie,
patient's representative on
the CHIC advisory panel says,
"We don't need a prescription.
We can help ourselves to relieve
pain such as muscle ache,
period pain, headache, toothache
and backache by taking a painkiller.
We should quickly begin to
feel more comfortable, less
tense and grumpy and better
able to carry on with ordinary
living."
When the survey
on pain, conducted by Gallup,
explored people's response
to pain and their tendencies
to treat, it was clear that
pain has a major impact on
people's lives and a large
proportion of people are not
managing pain effectively.
Tiredness, lack of concentration
and feelings of emotion were
common responses. In summary:
- The younger age group
were least likely to treat
and most likely to be angry
and aggressive
- Women and men were just
as likely to become angry,
but women were more likely
to become emotional and
upset
- One in ten people do not
take anything to relieve
pain, yet products available
are effective and safe and
can help prevent a person
losing their concentration
and becoming tired.
The Consumer
Health Information Centre
(CHIC) aims to help educate
people as to the causes of
pain and options for pain
relief. A leaflet has been
prepared and is available
free of charge from 0207 404
7842 or can be viewed on this
website, click
here.
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