General Health

From haemorrhoids to hangovers, from sickness to snoring, when it comes to our health there is no end to the strange things we humans have to contend with. And a little know-how is often all it takes to stay on top of things.

What is current life expectancy?

Over the last 50 years the average life span has increased by around 10 years for men and 8 for women. According to The Office for National Statistics, in 2010 (the most recent figures) the most common age at death in England and Wales was 85 for men and 89 for women. And the latest projections, for the UK, suggest males born in 2011 could expect to live 90.3 years on average, and females 93.8 years. However, living long is only half the picture. Currently more than 15 million people in England alone have long-term health conditions such as high blood pressure, arthritis and dementia. The greatest challenge for most of us is not to reach a healthy old age but to reach old age in good health.

How much do we cram into our heads?

Rather a lot as it turns out. Our brains are made up of approximately 100 billion neurons (nerve cells). And, according to researchers from Uppsala University in Sweden, although the human brain makes up just 2 per cent of our total body mass it uses up 20 percent of our total energy demand.