Sick trends

An average person suffers from 6,284 ailments, including common colds, cramps, headaches and back pain, in a lifetime, a new study has reveals.
The study, based on a survey by www.activequote.com, an independent comparison site on private health insurance, claims that an 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 get 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.
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 and earache, a dose of flu and heartburn over the past 12 months alone.
"While the ailments may seem minor, the survey shows just how disruptive they can be and this figure does not take into account the more serious illnesses," Richard Theo of Activequote was quoted by the British newspaper as saying