Long term pain is a struggle for 30% of adults in Wales reveals new study

Almost a third of adults in Wales are struggling to cope with the pain and symptoms of long-term health conditions, according to research published in the International Journal of Cardiology.
Chronic illnesses affect about 800,000 people in Wales. The new study of 15,687 adults found that:
• Around 30% struggle with the physical and mental pains associated with a chronic illness
• 10% report untreated depressive or anxious symptoms
• Only 20% had found ways of coping with their condition
Dr Ivy Shiue, who is involved in the work, explains that people who had not learnt to live with symptoms experienced worse quality of life and the risks were especially high for those with mental health conditions.
“These patients may start to lose hope and their sense of identity, ultimately leading to a feeling of fear, hopelessness and despair at their condition,” she explains.

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Image credit: Petras Gagilas