Menopause to mental wellbeing: how clued up are you on your health? Take our quiz

1. Which of these is likely to cause high blood pressure?

   1. Your diet.

   2. Where you live.

   3. The weather.

   4. Not getting enough sleep.

   5. Your genes.

   6. Your age.

   7. All of them!

2. What is the most common cancer among men and women in the UK?

   1. Lung.

   2. Breast.

   3. Brain.

   4. Bowel.

3. At what age should you start worrying about the impact your lifestyle has on your health?

   1. Straight out of the womb, baby.

   2. After your 20s, you deserve to live without responsibilities!

   3. After you turn 40, that’s when it gets serious.

   4. It’s never too early to look after yourself.

4. At what age do women experience menopause?

   1. After they have children.

   2. Over 50.

   3. Over 40.

   4. It varies.

5. What is the leading cause of blindness in the UK?

   1. Injury.

   2. Cancer.

   3. Macular degeneration.

   4. Diabetes.

6. Which of these foods are particularly beneficial for your teeth?

   1. Leafy green vegetables.

   2. Oranges.

   3. Tomatoes.

   4. Bananas.

7. What is the largest organ in your body?

   1. Lungs.

   2. Intestines.

   3. Brain.

   4. Skin.

8. How many people are affected by mental health problems each year?

   1. One in 10.

   2. One in two.

   3. One in four.

   4. One in five.

9. What is the best way to lengthen your life expectancy?

   1. Eat better and exercise more.

   2. Reduce your alcohol intake.

   3. Stop smoking.

   4. Reduce your stress.

   5. Aim for at least seven hours of sleep a night.

   6. All of the above.

Solutions

1:G - Many factors affect your blood pressure, from how cold it is outside to how much sleep you have and what you eat — as well as your broader socioeconomic status. Maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle is the best way to safeguard against hypertension., 2:B - Breast cancer accounts for three in 20 cancers in women and men combined. Regularly checking for lumps or changes to the appearance of the breast (whether male or female) is the best way to monitor your breast health. , 3:D - OK, well technically A is true, but until you’re 18, it’s the responsibility of your caregiver to ensure you have a healthy, balanced lifestyle. It is true, though, that there is no cut-off time to take your health more seriously. The earlier you build healthy habits into your life, the better., 4:D - Menopause is the date one year after your last period. Most women experience this between the ages of 45 and 55, but about 5% of women will reach it at an earlier age. Many factors affect menopause age, such as certain medical interventions and genetics. Perimenopause is the time before menopause – sometimes years – when some women experience symptoms such as anxiety, mood swings, brain fog, hot flushes and irregular periods, due to declining oestrogen levels., 5:C - Until 2014, diabetic retinopathy was the leading cause of blindness among the working-age population in the UK. Now, thanks to regular screening, this is no longer the case. Age-related macular degeneration may appear in middle age and affect ability to read or recognise faces. The risk can be reduced by not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight and taking medicines for high blood pressure, if needed., 6:A - Leafy green vegetables — alongside dairy products — are great for your teeth because they are high in calcium. Avoiding sugary and sticky foods is good for your teeth and gums. Also, book regular check-ups., 7:D - Most people don’t know that the skin is the largest organ in the human body. The best way to avoid melanoma, a type of skin cancer, is to reduce sun exposure and wear sunscreen. , 8:C - Approximately one in four people in England will experience a mental health problem each year. The most common conditions are anxiety and depression and there are many options for treatment, including self-help, talking therapies and drug treatments. It’s important to seek help when you need it rather than struggling in silence, as our mental health can affect our physical health., 9:F - The best thing you can do today to lengthen your life expectancy is to work on your diet, fitness, sleep and stress levels, while moderating other lifestyle choices such as drinking alcohol and smoking.

Scores

1. 9 and above.

   Great! You’re well clued up on health matters.

2. 8 and above.

   Great! You’re well clued up on health matters.

3. 7 and above.

   Great! You’re well clued up on health matters.

4. 6 and above.

   You have some good knowledge about your health, but there’s still room for improvement.

5. 5 and above.

   You have some good knowledge about your health, but there’s still room for improvement.

6. 4 and above.

   You have some good knowledge about your health, but there’s still room for improvement.

7. 3 and above.

   There are some things you need to learn about your health, but the good news is you care about your wellbeing.

8. 2 and above.

   There are some things you need to learn about your health, but the good news is you care about your wellbeing.

9. 0 and above.

   There are some things you need to learn about your health, but the good news is you care about your wellbeing.

10. 1 and above.

    There are some things you need to learn about your health, but the good news is you care about your wellbeing.

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