Pain and Discomfort

Persistent Pain and Discomfort

name Persistent Pain
Millions of Americans, especially those of us who are older and have illnesses like arthritis, diabetes, or cancer, suffer from persistent pain. Pain can prevent a person from fully enjoying daily activities.

In addition to the personal burden of pain, the annual cost of persistent pain in the U.S. is estimated to be more than $100 billion. This cost includes health care expenses, lost income, and lost productivity.

Constipation
Older adults are more likely than younger adults to report problems with constipation. This could be because activity (exercise) is restricted, or because of limited access to nutritional foods. A simple way to try to manage constipation on your own is to eat more fiber, exercise at least 30 minutes a day for 5 days a week, and drink more water. Exercise includes many activities that you may already do daily, such as mowing the lawn and walking to see a friend or relative.

If you have questions about your ability to exercise safely, ask your health care professional. Also, it is important to see a physician immediately if these activities worsen your constipation symptoms, or if they do not improve within a week or two.

Learning More
Luckily, there are safe and effective ways to manage pain and constipation. The key is learning more about your options and knowing when to ask for help from a health care professional.

After reading this news release about persistent pain and discomfort, take our online quiz to test your knowledge.



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Below is a list of resources to help you learn more about preventing and treating persistent pain and constipation: