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Chronic pain can, and does, happen to anyone. However, there are some things that statistically will put you more at risk. Some of these things are controllable, others are not. Are you at risk? Is someone you know at risk? Find out how chronic pain can affect you.

Who is at Risk?
According to the University of Michigan Health Systems, while one in every five people live with chronic pain in America, most were women and many of those women were African American. Typically a woman's chronic pain complaint was less likely to garner a reaction than their male counterparts at their health care professional's office. Research in this area has also shown that adults over the age of 50 were more able to cope with their pain, while those younger than 50 years old were more prone to depression.

What are the Risk Factors?

• General current health. Those with low immune systems have the chance of having more infections or illnesses that may lead to pain.
• Past health problems. Previous health issues or surgeries may increase the likelihood for chronic pain in the patient. Each of these injuries to the body may not work to relieve the pain.
• Existing health problems. Those with health issues such as arthritis and fibromyalgia are more apt to have pain due to the chronic nature of their condition. Those with limbs removed may be experiencing phantom pain syndrome as well.
• Smoking. Smoking has the ability to lessen your medication's ability to be effective in your pain management plan. It also has the ability to increase pain in a patient. Therefore smoking is a two-fold negative in the treatment of chronic pain.
• Your age. Older people may have more chronic conditions; however many have better coping abilities. Typically younger people complain more about their pain than the elderly. Chronic pain is not a normal part of getting older though.
• Your diet. Eating an unhealthy diet plan can put your body at risk for developing issues that could lead to pain. Paying close attention to what you put into your body can help what you get out of your body.
• Lifestyle. Drinking and doing illegal drugs can lead to the body becoming at risk for pain issues. These substance problems can lead to organ and nerve damage as well. Sedentary people who do not get out and exercise can see muscle waste and this can also lead to chronic pain.

Source:
Chronic Pain- What Increases Your Risk" Healthwise, Collected January 2008
http://health.yahoo.com/pain-causes/chronic-pain-what-increases-your-risk/healthwise--tr2765.html
"Black women with chronic pain have more psychological and physical distress", University of Michigan Health System, Collected January 2008. http://www.med.umich.edu/opm/newspage/2005/paindiff.htm