I have survived major physical pain for 47 years when Crohns raised it's ugly head, at age 16. I am now in advanced stages of Crohns, along with added comorbitities, migraine, GERD, joint pain, Ring of Fire brain and Stress. There is nó real data on how Stress effects Pain which effects sleep. Less stress, less Pain and better sleep. It's so common sensical yet, how do we address stress to lessen and alleviate it?
As always, pharma only deals with meds when society needs to admit, address and help those with streßs, which IMO, is 80% financial, especially with single moms, who happen to have underlying medical and mental issues.
As a nurse, I had many patients like me, similar medical and or psychiatric issues, but none had added stress factors of financial instability.
When I was financially stable( a short period) all of my medical issues lessened in severity as did much of my subsequent pain. I wasn't "stressed" over paying bills while I resided in S CA, the Most expensive area I know. Being a parent and juggling bills, work, healthcare and time is not easy but way more difficult for someone dealing with health issues. Having a child with a disability just added to the overall stress, but having financial stability seemed to be my best medication.
Everyone knows, professional or not, that stress exacerbates every medical or psychological problem and can make Pain worsen. Less stress, less problems medically, psychologically and socially.
It's a social issue, when our country, USA, refuses to acknowledge and admit, income does matter and those struggling need help. The recent rise in SSA, SSDI, SSI has been a long time needed and this govt doesn't seem to want the raise, but why? Taxing those that all along should be paying their fair share, is morally right.