America’s silent epidemic.

Plus: Are robots the doctors of the future?

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"Your health is an investment, not an expense." - Unknown

Tuesday. And just like that, Memorial Day weekend is behind us, and summer is officially here. Why is it that long weekends often feel shorter than regular ones? It’s like you blink, you go to one barbecue, fold some laundry, and it’s Tuesday. They say time flies when you are having fun, but it felt like I didn’t even have enough time to have any fun. Speaking of things that aren’t fun, pain sucks, and unfortunately, chronic pain is on the rise. Let’s dive in.

Chronic Pain: America’s Silent Epidemic

In the U.S., chronic pain is quickly becoming more common than diabetes, depression, and high blood pressure. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) just released a study that shows how common this problem is, which backs up what we've known for a while: chronic pain is a big deal in America.

We've known that about 1 in 5 adults in America deal with chronic pain, but this study is the first to capture how many new people start experiencing pain each year. After looking at answers from over 10,000 adults, researchers found out how often these people felt pain in the last three months and how it got in the way of their day-to-day life.

These results highlight how just how big this health problem really is. One of the study's authors also explained why this issue is snowballing into such a big problem. As more people start experiencing chronic pain, those who already have it are finding it hard to get better. Only about 10% of those with chronic pain in 2019 reported pain-free in 2020. This shows how tough it can be to treat this condition. Add to that all the people experiencing pain for the first time each year, and you have the perfect recipe for disaster.

And, of course, experts believe the Covid-19 pandemic didn’t make the situation any better. With more people leading sedentary lifestyles over the past three years, it is no wonder that pain is becoming more prevalent.

Understanding chronic pain is still a tricky issue in the medical world. The term "chronic pain" can refer to many different experiences, from daily pain over three months to chronic pain being a health problem in its own right. Experts point out that getting an accurate diagnosis for chronic pain can take years, and sometimes, there's no apparent cause for the pain.

Even when a cause for chronic pain is found, many doctors might not know how to treat it properly. Pain can be different for everyone, and the solution often requires lifestyle changes involving movement and exercise. Unfortunately, doctors are not movement specialists.

The study also looked at how short-term pain can turn into long-term pain. Dealing with pain early is crucial to stop it from becoming a long-term problem. However, not everyone has easy access to the care they need. Pain is also something that is easy to ignore and mask with over-the-counter medications with the hope that it will resolve itself on its own, which is rarely the case.

And then you have the whole opioid addiction crisis that doctors are trying to navigate through. The last time our healthcare system claimed to have the solution to chronic pain, we ended up doing a lot more harm than good. Today, many doctors are trying to deal with this problem by using a variety of treatments for chronic pain. This can include things like physical therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. Mental health treatment can also be a great help in managing pain, but the truth is, there is no perfect single solution, and that is why this is chronic pain is such a big deal.

The key takeaway? If you're having pain that's messing with your everyday life, experts suggest seeing a regular doctor first. If your pain doesn't get better after six weeks, you should try seeing a specialist. But before all that, it is important to note that preventing chronic pain in the first place is better than having to treat it down the road.

Regular movement, avoiding extended periods of sitting down, daily walks, full range of motion resistance training, and proper nutrition can all go a long way in helping to prevent chronic pain for most people.

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Tonic Shots

1. Your Doctor Will Soon Be A Robot (Maybe)

Would you trust artificial intelligence (AI) to provide you with health advice? It might not be as outlandish as it sounds. A recent study discovered that responses generated by AI chatbots were more precise and displayed more empathy than those crafted by humans in 78% of the cases.

Yikes. 

2. How Much Can A Water Filter Actually Do?

Issues with water safety have popped up in several U.S. cities, raising eyebrows about how safe our tap water really is. It's not just about lead or bacteria — other chemicals linked to health issues have also been found. While home filters can help, they're not a cure-all. 

3. Fight Inflammation With These Recipes

Inflammation can contribute to chronic pain and make it feel worse. Here are 21 anti-inflammatory summer dinners you can make in 30 minutes or less!

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