Health by numbers

With all the “feel better, live longer information,” it can be tough to keep the facts straight. Below, are the researches to make staying well as easy as 1-2-3

• 2
Number of tablespoons’ worth of sunscreen you should slather over your body 30 minutes before heading outside. Reapply every two hours or right after swimming or excessive sweating.

• 35
As many inches allowed for a healthy waistline. Any higher, and you increase your risk of developing high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

• 5
The maximum number of minutes you should listen to music at full volume while wearing headphones. Any longer, and you risk inner ear damage. For long term listening, keep the volume at half capacity.

• 500
The number of calories you’ll need to burn each day in order to lose 1lb. this week. Burn 250 calories with daily exercise, and consume 250 fewer than you normally would.

• 20
The number of minutes you can stare at the screen before your eyes need a computer break. Every 20 minutes, look away from the computer for 20 seconds and blink a few times. Failing to take a breaks may cause eye strain, which can lead to irritation, infection, and blurred vision.

• 6
The years you add to your life by flossing daily. Theories vary, but popular belief the same bacteria that causes periodontal disease can also trigger inflammation in the arteries of the hearth, which can lead to life shortening heart disease.

• 1,000
The number of milligrams of calcium you need each day to ward off osteoporosis. Three cups of plain yogurt or four cups of skim or low fat milk will do the trick.

• 15
The number of seconds you need to spend washing your hands in order to kill sickness causing germs.

Check it out
Just because you feel good doesn’t mean you can skip screening tests. Staying healthy means regularly looking for potential health problems and catching them early so they don’t impact your life. Use these guidelines to nip problems in the bud. (Depending on personal risk factors like family history, you may need to be screened more often)

• Fully body skin exam, must be done every 1 to 3 years starting age 20
• Pap smear, every 1 to 2 years if you receive 3 normal Paps in a row, then every 2 to 3 years, starting age 21
• Thyroid function, every five years, starting age 35
• Mammogram, annually, starting age 40
• Colonoscopy, every 10 years, starting age 50