A Life of Pain: The Average Brit Suffers 5,000 injuries in a Lifetime

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By Gemma Francis

The average Brit will suffer 4,944 injuries and minor ailments over the course of their lifetime, a survey has found.

Each year, cuts, bruises, bugs and colds mean the average adult will be in pain or feel under the weather a total of 61 times.

On top of that, over the average lifetime, Brits will also end up with two verrucas and one broken bone.

It also emerged more than a third of people admit to being accident-prone, with one in four saying an injury or illness has led to them missing an important event such as a birthday party, wedding or even a funeral.

A spokesman for arnicare, which commissioned the research, said: “We all have times where we feel ill or pick up some kind of injury, whether they are minor bruises or colds or more serious bugs and broken bones.

“But when you add this all up over the 81 years of the average lifetime, it’s quite staggering to see just how many minor ailments and injuries we’ll go through.

“Luckily, the majority of these bumps and bugs will be minor and won’t really impact on your day-to-day life too much.

“However, when you see how often a minor ailment or injury will occur, you want to make sure you treat everything as quickly as possible to reduce the time you spend feeling anything less than 100 per cent.”

The poll, of 2,000 adults, found the average Brit will endure 10 headaches a year – 810 over a lifetime.

There will be nine cuts and bumps a year – 729 over the average 81-year-long lifetime, along with 10 bruises annually.

But each bruise lasts an average of five days before disappearing, meaning a total of 50 days a year – almost 11 years over a lifetime – will be spent nursing the black and blue marks.

Brits will also have to put up with 405 colds and sore throats, the equivalent of five a year, while stomach bugs come around twice a year.

The average adult can also expect to have to deal with 162 blisters over their lifetime, along with 243 pulled or strained muscles and 405 bouts of heartburn or indigestion.

Four occurrences of back pain a year amount to 324 during the average lifetime while 162 instances of neck pain also add to the total.

On top of that, there will be one eye infection a year and 81 ear infections or pain over a lifetime.

Finally, cramp or stomach pain will flare up six times a year, amounting to 486 in total over the 81 years,

Researchers also found the average adult will pay three trips to the doctor each year, while they can also expect to make around four visits to the hospital over a lifetime.

There will also be a total of two surgeries to go through between birth and the age of 81, as well as an average of one broken bone.

Arms were found to be the most common bone to break, followed by fingers, toes, ankles and legs.

A spokesman for arnicare added: Minor mishaps are often unavoidable, particularly with the fitness trend continuing to grow and so many people getting out and getting active.

Over half of 18-24 year olds admitted to being clumsy, which can often be enhanced when trying out a new exercise class for the first time and not knowing the moves.

With summer now being officially here, the last thing anyone wants is a bruise.

Having Nelsons arnicare arnica cream to hand can help. It is a traditional herbal medicinal product for use on bruises exclusively based upon long-standing use as a traditional remedy. Contains Arnica montana. Always read the label.

BREAKDOWN (Per year/lifetime)
Cuts and bumps 9 729
Headaches 10 810
Colds 2 162
Sore throats 3 243
Back pain 4 324
Bruises 10 810
Stomach bugs 2 162
Blisters 2 162
Pulled muscle 3 243
Earache 1 81
Eye infections 1 81
Cramp/stomach pain 6 486
Heartburn/indigestion 5 405
Toothache 1 81
Neck pain 2 162
Total 61