70% of people over 50 experience joint pain

Joint pain is common in people over 50, but it's still important to talk to your doctor about it rather than endlessly self-medicate, experts say, UPI writes.  

A new survey from the University of Michigan shows how joint pain affects people.

Results from the University of Michigan's National Healthy Aging Survey show that 70% of people over 50 experience joint pain at least occasionally. About 60% of them reported having some form of arthritis.

Among those with arthritis symptoms, about 45% said they experience pain every day, and 49% said it somewhat limits their normal activities.

About 80% of people who experience joint pain said they have at least some confidence that they can manage it on their own.

About 66% do so with over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (Aleve). About 26% reported taking supplements such as glucosamine or chondroitin. About 11% use cannabidiol (CBD), which is derived from marijuana, and 9% use marijuana.

About 18% use only prescription non-opioid pain relievers, 19% inject steroids, 14% take oral steroids, 14% use opioids and 4% use disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs.

About 64% of respondents with joint pain use exercise, and 24% have had physical therapy. Far fewer respondents used non-medicinal treatments, such as braces.

The telephone survey was conducted in January and February 2022 among 2,277 adults aged 50 to 80.