London: An average person suffers from
6,284 ailments, including common colds, cramps, headaches and
back pain, in a lifetime, a new study has revealed.
The study, based on a survey, claims that the average
Briton experiences up to 80 minor ailments a year and spends
21 days a year on pain relief medication, or 1,649 in total,
given the average age people live to of 78.5 years.
The poll of 3,000 adults found the most common
complaint is frequent bouts of cramp -- it affects people up
to 19 times a year, or 1,492 times over a lifetime, the 'Daily
Mail' reported.
One can also expect to have at least 16 headaches
a year, or 1,256 in total. The third most reported ailment is
back pain -- endured by the average Briton 14 times a year and
1,099 times in total, according to the survey.
The poll found the fourth most common minor
ailment was pulled muscles, at nine times a year or 707 over a
lifetime. This was just ahead of a cricked neck, tummy upsets,
nose bleeds and strained or sprained wrists and ankles.
Interestingly, more than half of those polled
believe they are fit and healthy -- even though they suffered
on average two colds, two cuts, an eye infection, earache, a
dose of flu and heartburn over the past 12 months alone.
"While the ailments may seem minor, this survey shows
just how disruptive they can be and this figure doesn't take
into account the more serious illnesses," Richard Theo of www.
activequote.com, an independent comparison site on private
health insurance, which conducted the survey, was quoted by
the British newspaper as saying.
PTI