Take pains to be cautious

ONE in 10 people suffer pain on a daily basis and it's likely to get worse because of obesity, sedentary lifestyles and an ageing population.

- BY MATT NIXSON

That's according to research by the makers of Combogesic, a new over-the-counter medicine with paracetamol and ibuprofen working together to provide effective pain relief.

Dr Nisa Aslam, a GP and adviser to Combogesic, says: “Pain management is a huge problem. Data shows around a third of adults are affected by chronic pain and this is rising.

“We can offer effective treatments for mild and severe pain, but there is a real gap in the options we have for mild to moderate pain.

“There are also challenges around how to provide the best care for people who have relied on opioids.”

Pharmacist Mark Burdon adds: “There has been a lot of good work raising awareness of opioid risks but there is still an urgent need for better awareness of pain management and use of non-opioid treatments.”

So, what can we do? Here's the latest evidence and expert advice...

Pain nation: The research reveals 86% of adults experience pain at least once a month and 16% have it “most of the time”.

Over-60s were most likely to report constant pain, with 20% saying it was a daily challenge, compared to just 9% of adults aged 18-44. Research also revealed a gender divide, with women twice as likely to report pain every day, 12%, compared to 7% of men.