NG LifeMag EMAG December 2023 - Flipbook - Page 44
Unlike temporary pain, chronic pain refers
to pain that persists for an extended period,
typically las琀椀ng for at least three to six months
or beyond. It can be caused by various factors,
such as injuries, underlying medical condi琀椀ons,
or neurological disorders. Chronic pain and
chronic illness can encompass a broad range
of health condi琀椀ons that last for an extended
dura琀椀on and may include autoimmune
disorders, 昀椀bromyalgia, arthri琀椀s, and more.
Someone with chronic pain or illness may
experience a wide array of symptoms, including
persistent pain, fa琀椀gue, reduced mobility,
cogni琀椀ve di昀케cul琀椀es, and emo琀椀onal distress.
These symptoms can 昀氀uctuate in intensity,
making it challenging for employees to predict
how they will feel on any given day.
A REPORT FROM THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE
OF HEALTH AND WELFARE SUGGESTS THAT 1
IN 5 AUSTRALIANS AGED 45 AND OVER HAVE
EXPERIENCED CHRONIC PAIN IN SOME FORM
Those with chronic pain are more likely to:
> Be female and older
> Have long-term condi琀椀ons
> Take extended sick leave or stay longer
in hospital
> Report limita琀椀ons to daily ac琀椀vi琀椀es.
Anyone can develop chronic pain, but the
reasons we might experience it depends on a
range of gene琀椀c, physical and psychological
factors. Environmental factors like working
a physically demanding job or having a prior
injury can also trigger chronic pain. Some琀椀mes
chronic pain has no iden琀椀昀椀able cause. This
can lead to reduced ac琀椀vity, stress, sleep
disturbances and poor mental health.