A recent study has found that the millennial population (people ages 18 to age 36) are more apt to manage their pain through healthy lifestyle changes than by taking opioids. Other pain relief solutions may include things like changing ones diet, exercising, losing weight and not smoking. Interestingly, the study also found that when the millennial population does take opoids, they are more than likely to get it illegally (gasp). For many years, researchers have been warning that millennials face far worse chronic pain in their lifetimes than previous generations because of the digital age we are in: They are more likely be on their cell phones, ipads, computers and sitting around on a desk for longer periods of time.
The American Society of Anesthesiologists online study included participants from the following four age groups:
- Millennials: aged 18 to 36
- Generation X: aged 37 to 52
- Baby boomers: aged 57 to 71
- Silent generation: aged 72 to 92
There were 1011 partipants in the study: 504 men, 507 women. In this study, 34% of the participants were millennials, 25% were from generation X, 35% were baby boomers and 6 %were from the silent generation.
The online study was completed by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and 1,011 US adults participated. Here are some more conclusions that came out of this study:
- Millennials are half as likely as baby boomers to use opioids for pain management
- 1 in 5 millennials who have tried highly addictive painkillers wish they hadn't done so.
- Millennials are more likely to obtain and consume opioids illegally if they choose to take them.
- The study said 1 out of 10 millennials have gained access to opioids through a prescription that was not written for them.
- This was compared to only 3 percent of people in generation X, 1 percent of baby boomers and 3 percent of the silent generation.
- Millennials were also found to be less likely to dispose of opioids in a safe manner.
- A fifth of the millennials who participated in the study said they did not know the best way to dispose of opioids safely.
- The study found that 3/4 of millennials have already experienced acute pain, which lasts less than three months
- The study found that 60% of millennials have already experienced chronic pain which lasts longer.
- The pain that the millenials experienced was a direct result of their lifestyles: they can strain their eyes looking at screens and feel aches in their necks, fingers, wrists and arms because of how frequently they use gadgets such as cell phones.
So what are the Millenials to do to help them with their pains? I guess getting rid of electronics is not an option :)
- Refrain from constantly using technological devices.
- Take a break from using technology regularly
- Use electronis at eye level because looking down at them for long periods of time can be harmful to your neck and back.
- Using the talk to text feature/ speaker phone is also recommended to avoid straining your fingers and wrists.
- Looking away from a screen you are focusing on every 20 seconds can prevent eye damage.
- Do Warm up before exercising. Stretching beforehand can prevent injuries.
- Millennials should also remember to move when they stay in one place for long periods of time. If they are studying in a library or working at a desk all day, it is important for them to get up once at hour, at the least.
- Sitting all day without moving can lead to lower back pain, so think about Moving regularly
- The study also recommended doing strength training and aerobic exercises regularly, as well as eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight and refraining from smoking.
Read more: Millennials are less likely than older generations to use opioids to manage pain, study finds
