Health Library

Heart Quiz for Women Only As a woman, do you know what your risk is for developing heart disease? You might be surprised. Take this quiz, based on information from the American Heart Association, and see how much you know about heart disease in women. 1. Coronary heart disease develops gradually over many years and can easily go undetected. You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Coronary heart disease takes years to develop, and, in the case of women, it generally takes almo...

How Does the Weather Affect Your Health? We talk about the weather when we don't have much else to chat about: "Nice day, isn't it?" "Aren't you sick of this rain?" The weather has more to do with your health than you might realize. Learn more about the weather and you by taking this quiz. 1. People who suffer from a “bum knee” often say they can tell when rain is coming. This is because they may have which of these common health conditions? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answ...

Take The Vocal Quiz Hoarseness is a general term that describes abnormal voice changes. When you are hoarse, your voice may sound breathy, raspy, or strained, or there may be changes in volume (loudness) or pitch (how high or low the voice is). 1. Excessive talking or yelling can strain or injure the vocal cords. You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Other activities that can lead to vocal abuse (straining or injuring the vocal cords) include throat clearing, coughing, inha...

What Do You Know About Water Safety? Hundreds of people drown each year in the U.S., including those who die in boating accidents and in swimming pools. Summertime is a prime time for water-related injuries. Learn more about water safety by taking this quiz, based on information from the American Red Cross (ARC) and other safety groups. 1. Alcohol is rarely involved in drowning deaths related to boating mishaps. You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Alcohol use is blamed in...

What Do You Know About Cataracts? More than half of Americans 80 years and older have cataracts, the National Eye Institute (NEI) says. 1. Most cataracts related to aging are caused by proteins clumping in the lens of the eye. You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is The clumps of protein cloud the eye's lens. The lens is a clear part of the eye that helps to focus light on the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. The lens must be clear for the retina to ...

Take the Vision Test Find out how much you know about your eyes. 1. Which of these is a leading cause of vision loss or blindness? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is All three of these conditions can cause either severe vision loss or blindness. Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults each year. Glaucoma is another leading cause of blindness in the U.S.; among African-Americans, it is the most common cause of blindness. Others at risk for gla...

How Much Do You Know About International Travel and Health? Test your knowledge of how to stay healthy when traveling abroad. 1. International travel may require prophylactic medicines and vaccines. How long before departure should you see your doctor? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Some vaccines must be given in a series over several days or weeks. You should see your doctor as early as possible before your departure to find out what medications or vaccines are reco...

Take the Toilet Training Quiz One of the milestones for toddlers is toilet training. As a first-time parent, you may have questions about when to start and how to proceed. Learn more about toilet training by taking this quiz. 1. At what age is a child usually ready to start learning to use the toilet? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Each child is different, so your child may be ready earlier or later. Boys usually are not ready until later and take longer to learn tha...

How Much Do You Know About Taste & Smell? Smell and taste problems can have a big impact on our lives. Because these senses contribute substantially to our enjoyment of life, our desire to eat, and be social, smell and taste disorders can be serious. 1. People are able to distinguish four main types of tastes: sour, sweet, salty, and bitter. You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is The taste cells are clustered in the taste buds of the mouth and throat. Many of the small b...

Take the Spine Health Quiz Back pain is one of the most common nerve-related illnesses in the United States. Keeping your spine in good health is one way to avoid back pain. Learn more about your spine and back pain by taking this quiz, based on information from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 1. How many doctor's visits each year are because of back problems? You did...

What Do You Know About Sports and Eye Safety?? You have your kneepads and your helmet. Or your faceguard and your gloves. Before you walk onto the playing field, don’t forget to protect your eyes. Find out more about preventing eye injuries by taking this quiz. 1. More than 90 percent of sports eye injuries can be prevented. You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, more than 40 percent of eye injuries are related to sports an...

What Do You Know About Sleep? Sleep is as important as the food you eat and the air you breathe. Find out more about sleep by taking this quiz. 1. Infants need about how many hours of sleep in 24 hours? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is How much sleep a person needs depends in large part on age. Infants need about 16 hours; school-aged children, 10 to 11 hours. Teens need about 9 hours. Most adults seem to need 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night. That amount can vary to as f...

What Do You Really Know About Sleep? A good night's sleep—everyone needs it, but not everyone gets it. We stay up late and get up early, and then wonder why we always feel tired. Why is sleep important? See how much you know about snoozing by taking this quiz. 1. The rapid eye movement (REM) sleep stage is when dreaming occurs. How often does REM happen during the night? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is REM sleep occurs every 1-1/2 hours while you sleep, the National I...

Take the Sleep Apnea Quiz When your sleep is upset throughout the night, you can be very sleepy during the day. Perhaps you have sleep apnea--a breathing disorder marked by many brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. 1. Sleep apnea is most common among women. You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Although sleep apnea occurs in both sexes and among all age groups, it is most often diagnosed in middle-aged men. It may be under-diagnosed in women. About 18 million Amer...

Take the Scoliosis Quiz Find out how much you know about scoliosis by taking this quiz, based on information from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. 1. Most idiopathic scoliosis that occurs in children appears before age 10. You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Scoliosis can occur before age 10, but it's rare and is generally caused by some condition such as a spinal tumor, congenital heart disease, or a genetic disorder rather than ...

Take the Rosacea Quiz Approximately 14 million people in the United States have rosacea. Take this quiz to find out how much you know about this skin condition. 1. Rosacea affects mainly the back and the abdomen. You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Rosacea usually occurs on the face, although the neck and upper chest are also sometimes involved. Rosacea also affects the eyes in about half the cases. A. True B. False 2. Rosacea is a disease that develops in childhood, grow...

What Do You Know About Reproductive Cancers? Cancer can strike any part of the reproductive system, but research has led to better diagnoses, treatments, and a lower chance of death for many of these cancers. 1. How common is testicular cancer in men? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Although testicular cancer accounts for only 1% of all cancers in men, it is the most common form of cancer in young men ages 15 to 35. Any man can get testicular cancer, but it is more co...

Take the Reye's Syndrome Quiz Reye's syndrome is a disease that affects all the organs, but causes the most harm to the brain and the liver. The disease was first officially identified more than 40 years ago by a doctor in North Carolina, although it has been around for at least 70 years. Find out more about the disease by taking this quiz, based on information from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the American Liver Foundation. 1. Reye's syndrome primarily affects which a...

Take the Repetitive-Stress Injuries Test Repetitive-stress injuries (RSIs) can be painful and debilitating, causing damage to tendons, ligaments, nerves, and muscles over time. Also called repetitive motion syndromes, RSIs can affect almost any part of the body. Test your knowledge of RSIs by taking this multiple-choice quiz. 1. Which of these activities can result in a repetitive-stress injury? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Baseball pitchers, musicians, and people ...

How Much Do You Know About Radon? Radon is a gas that you can't see or smell, but is present in nearly all the air around us. Everyone breathes in radon every day, usually at low levels. People who inhale high levels of radon are at increased risk for developing lung cancer. Radon is a problem in homes in which higher concentrations collect. Find out more about radon by taking this quiz, based on information from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). 1. Where...

Take the Psoriasis Quiz Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that affects millions of Americans. Although it can affect people of any age, it occurs mostly in young adults. Find out more about this disease by taking this quiz, based on information from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases, and the American Academy of Dermatology. 1. What happens to skin cells in a person with psoriasis? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is The normal turnover of ...

What Do You Know About Having a Healthy Pregnancy? Pregnancy is an exciting and busy time for couples. You spend time wondering about your baby-to-be and making plenty of preparations to welcome the newest member of your family. By taking this quiz, you can learn which lifestyle behaviors are most helpful and which may be harmful to your developing child. 1. Healthy habits during which trimester are most crucial for the well-being of the developing fetus? You didn't answer this question. You answered Th...

How Much Do You Know About Poison Ivy? It's fun to take a hike through the woods: listening for songbirds, looking at wildflowers, spying the occasional chipmunk. You also need to keep an eye out for the bane of hikers—poison ivy. Find out how much you know about this annoying plant by taking this true-false quiz. 1. The leaves of poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac burn skin on contact. You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is The rash that develops upon exposure to any ...

What Do You Know About Parkinson's Disease? This illness has existed for thousands of years. Learn more about Parkinson's disease by taking this quiz. 1. Parkinson's disease is marked by a shortage of which chemical in the brain? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is The brain-signaling chemical dopamine, one of many neurotransmitters in the brain, is produced by cells in the brain stem. These cells release dopamine, one of the neurotransmitters that help control muscle mov...

What Do You Really Know About Over-the-Counter Medications? Just because a drug is available without a prescription doesn't mean it's safe to take, the FDA says. Take this quiz and learn the ins and outs of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. 1. How are prescription drugs different from OTC ones? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Prescription drugs require a doctor or other health care provider to monitor their effects. A. They contain higher amounts of active ingredients...

Take the Pain Quiz What's the most sensitive part of your body? Are women less sensitive to pain than men? Does everyone feel pain? Get answers to these and other questions by taking the pain quiz. 1. Most pain serves no purpose. You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Pain can be a warning that your body is injured or infected. The doubled-over pain of a ruptured appendix will send you straight to the emergency room; without this warning, you could die. This type of acute pa...

Obesity Basics: What Is It? How Is It Treated? There is an epidemic of obesity in this country, health experts say. But what is obesity? How is it measured? Find out the answers to these questions and others by taking this quiz, based on information from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). 1. Body mass index (BMI) is the current standard for finding out whether someone is overweight or obese. BMI corrects for differences in height among people. Which BMI reading...

How Much Do You Know About Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma? Lymphomas are a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. Learn more about non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) by taking this true-false quiz, based on information from the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the National Cancer Institute. 1. Lymphomas are categorized as one of two main types: Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas. You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Hodgkin lymphoma, or Hodgkin disease, is named for Thomas Hodgki...

New Year's Resolution Quiz Happy New Year! It’s time to look ahead to the next 12 months and see what you can do to maintain or improve your health. Do you need to lose weight? Quit smoking? Start exercising? Find out more about healthy choices by taking the following quiz. 1. Which of these is important to a healthy diet? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is The USDA's dietary guidelines recommend that half of the grains you eat each day be whole grains. You should have a...

What Do You Know About Working the Night Shift? If you work the night shift, you face unique health and productivity challenges. Take this quiz to see how much you know about making the most of the night shift. 1. If you work at night, try to maintain the same sleep schedule on the days you work and the days you're off. You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Reverting fully to a typical day schedule during your time off will make it harder to sleep during the day after you r...

What Do You Know About Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy? Peripheral neuropathy is a term that refers to temporary or permanent damage to the peripheral nerves – the nerves that carry information to and from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. This damage is one of the most common complications of diabetes. Find out more about peripheral neuropathy by taking this quiz. 1. Neuropathy leads to numbness and sometimes pain and weakness in the limbs. You didn't answer this question. You answered ...

Take the Nervous System Quiz The nervous system is responsible for our thoughts, our emotions, and our movements. The brain, nerves, and spinal cord are all members of this important process. How much do you know about the nervous system? Do you know what happens when the system malfunctions? Find out by taking this multiple-choice quiz. 1. The human nervous system is capable of a wide range of functions. What is the basic unit of the nervous system? You didn't answer this question. You answered The cor...

Take the Mold Allergy Quiz Molds are microscopic fungi that live on plant and animal matter. They're everywhere in our environment. Learn about mold allergy by taking this multiple-choice quiz. 1. How many species of mold exist? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Estimates range from the tens of thousands to more than 300,000, according to the CDC. The most common types of mold found in the home that cause allergic reactions include Cladosporium, Penicillium, Alternaria,...

What Do You Know About Multiple Births? So you're having more than one! You're not alone. The number of multiple births has increased dramatically in recent years. 1. Which is an explanation for the increasing number of multiple births in this country? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is About a third of the increase in multiple births can be explained by an increasing number of women older than age 30 having children. The remaining two-thirds of the increase can be tied ...

How Much Do You Know About Multiple Sclerosis? Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system, the brain, and spinal cord. Its symptoms can range from benign to severe. Find out more about this mysterious illness by taking this quiz, based on information from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). 1. Although exact numbers are not available, approximately how many people in the United States have MS? You didn't answer this question. You answered The corr...

How Much Do You Know About Menopause? Test your knowledge of menopause by taking this quiz. 1. At what age does menopause typically begin? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Menopause usually occurs sometime between age 45 and 55, but the typical age is 50, according to the National Institute on Aging (NIA). Menopause means the permanent end of menstruation. A. 40 B. 45 C. 50 D. 55 2. A woman is considered to be in menopause after she has missed how many menstrual cycles...

Take the Meningitis Quiz Meningitis is an infection of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. Both viruses and bacteria cause meningitis. Bacterial meningitis can be life-threatening; viral meningitis seldom is. Learn more about bacterial meningitis through this quiz. 1. Bacterial meningitis is caused by only one kind of bacteria. You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is It can be caused by several different kinds of bacteria. Some of the more common bacteria t...

What Do You Know About Mammograms? Test your knowledge of what steps to take to catch breast cancer in the early stages. 1. To get a quality mammogram, make sure the facility has which of these? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Also ask if the facility follows FDA quality-assurance programs and if the radiologists who read the mammograms are board certified. A. FDA certification B. Mammogram machine that's calibrated annually C. Registered technologists D. All of these...

How Much Do You Know About Memory? To keep your memory sharp, it's helpful to understand factors that affect memory for better or for worse. 1. Spending most of your time doing one type of activity doesn't stimulate your brain. You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is If you don't challenge your brain with different activities, you end up with the inability to remember certain things. Brain cells that aren't stimulated work less efficiently. The old adage about using it or los...

How Much Do You Know About Age-Related Macular Degeneration? Millions of Americans are affected by age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a disease that damages the eye's central vision. To learn more about macular degeneration, take this quiz, based on information from the National Eye Institute. 1. People who have the greatest risk for developing AMD are 60 or older. You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is The risk increases with age, but AMD can occur during middle age. A...

How Much Do You Know About Planning for Long-Term Care? People who need long-term care include those with a chronic illness or a physical handicap. Learn more about long-term care planning by taking this quiz, based on information from the National Institute on Aging (NIA). 1. Which expert is trained to help you and your family develop a plan for long-term care? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is This is a special kind of social worker or nurse. A geriatric case manager,...

How Much Do You Know About Low Blood Pressure? There's a lot of information about the dangers of high blood pressure, but low blood pressure can endanger your health, too. 1. How is low blood pressure, or hypotension, defined? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Optimal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). The exact level that marks low blood pressure differs from person to person, although the offici...

Leukemia Quiz Learn more about leukemia by taking this quiz, based on information from the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). 1. A person with leukemia produces abnormal blood cells - usually white blood cells - that over time crowd out normal white and red blood cells, and platelets. You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Although the abnormal white blood cells may function almost normally, they eventually become so numerous that they int...

What Do You Know About Leukemia? Leukemia is a cancer of the blood. A person with leukemia produces abnormal blood cells - usually white blood cells. These cells grow out of control and crowd out the normal blood cells. Find out more about leukemia by taking the following quiz, based on information from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). 1. Leukemia is categorized as chronic or acute. You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Chronic leukemia gets worse slowly, with few sympt...

Take the Lips Quiz Lips are for...talking and smooching and eating. Yes, they're important, but do you know how to take good care of your lips? Take this quiz to find out. 1. Your lips are part of your skin, but why do you need to treat them differently from the rest of your epidermis? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Unlike the rest of your skin, your lips have an extremely thin outer layer, which allows moisture to evaporate more quickly. Your lips also have none or ...

Take the Kids' Healthy Snacks Quiz Is your snack bowl ready for Halloween? Before you fill it with marshmallow candy and chocolate bars, give a thought to good nutrition. It's possible to offer tasty but more nutritious treats this year. This quiz will give you the lowdown on healthier snacks for kids. 1. Gooey or sticky snacks are bad for kids' teeth. You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Snacks that are gooey or chewy stick to teeth and stay there longer than foods that c...

Take the Lead Safety Quiz Test your knowledge of lead poisoning and how to protect your family. This quiz is based on information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 1. One of the most common places to find lead is in the home. You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Lead can leach into drinking water from certain types of plumbing materials (lead pipes and copper pipes with lead solder, for example). It can also be found on walls, woodwork, toys, and dinnerw...

Can You Control Workplace Interruptions? Having trouble concentrating on important tasks at work because of frequent interruptions? If so, knowing how to control and avoid them can increase your productivity. Here is a quiz to help you assess your knowledge of how to deal with interruptions. 1. It's efficient to check your e-mail every time you get a message. You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is It's more efficient to open your e-mail only twice a day, unless you're expect...

How Much Do You Know About Stinging Insects? Picnics and barbecues and pottering in the garden are some of the delights of summer. For some people, though, these pleasant pastimes are ruined by a fear of bees and wasps and other things that sting. Should you worry? Find out by taking this true-false quiz. 1. Most people are allergic to bee stings. You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Although many people fear bees and other stinging insects because they think they are high...

Take the Hypothermia Quiz Baby, it's cold outside! When winter weather arrives, you need to take extra precautions against hypothermia if you're an older adult. Test your knowledge of these cold facts from the National Institute on Aging. 1. Cold weather can be a problem for older adults because many seniors take medications that can interfere with the body's ability to regulate its temperature. You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Medications that increase the risk of acc...

What Do You Know About Household Poisons? Hair spray, antifreeze, house paint. These and other common items found in any home are useful products when used correctly. In the wrong hands, however, they can be deadly. Learn more about how to keep your home safe from accidental poisoning by taking this quiz, based in part on information from the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC). 1. One of the most dangerous poisons found in the home is antifreeze. You didn't answer this question. You ...

Take the Huntington's Disease Quiz It has been more than 40 years since singer/songwriter Woody Guthrie died of Huntington's Disease (HD). He had been misdiagnosed for years—he'd even been labeled an alcoholic. Since that time, much has been learned about HD. The following quiz, based on information from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, provides essential information on this devastating disease. 1. Huntington's Disease is also known as: You didn't answer this question. You an...

Take the Heat Stroke Quiz A hot summer day can be just as deadly as a chilly winter one for older adults. Take this quiz to see how much you know about heat stroke and heat exhaustion. It's based on information from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 1. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke mean the same thing. You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Heat exhaustion is a warning that the body is becoming overheated. Signs...

The Hemoglobin A1c Quiz If you have diabetes, you should know about the importance of hemoglobin A1c. Test your knowledge of hemoglobin A1c by taking this quiz. 1. A hemoglobin A1c test measures the average amount of sugar in your blood over the last three months. You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is The hemoglobin A1c test shows the average amount of sugar in your blood over the last 3 months. It's a simple lab test done by your doctor. The hemoglobin A1c test is the best...

Take the Heart Health Test How healthy is your heart? Find out more by taking this quiz, based on information from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the American Heart Association (AHA). 1. We've made only modest progress in reducing the toll of heart disease in the last 10 years. You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Heart attack deaths fell by one-third between 2000 and 2010. A. True B. False 2. Heart disease kills more women than all types of canc...

Take the Hearing Quiz Hearing loss can occur for many reasons. Sometimes it occurs as people age. Sometimes it occurs after a long exposure to loud sounds. Learn more about hearing and hearing loss by taking this quiz. 1. After years of exposure to a humming refrigerator, people can develop hearing loss. You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Although long-term exposure to certain sounds can cause hearing loss, sounds of less than 75 decibels are considered safe. A humming r...

What Do You Know About Preventing Heart Disease? You can take steps to reduce your risk for heart disease. Find out more about preventing heart disease by taking this quiz. 1. Which of these is a cause of heart disease? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is This condition is called atherosclerosis. Fat and cholesterol build up in the arteries. This buildup is called plaque. The plaque makes the inside of the arteries narrower and stiffer, and less blood can get to the heart...

How Much Do You Know About Hazardous Materials in Your Home? Bleach, ant killer, and gasoline are poisons commonly found in the home. But plenty of other toxic or hazardous chemicals fill our shelves and cupboards, and some of them may surprise you. Hairspray, for instance, is highly flammable. Learn more about these chemicals by taking this quiz. 1. Which of these are household poisons? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Most people know that toilet bowl cleaners contai...

What Do You Know About Headaches? When you get a headache, it's usually not the bones of the skull or the brain itself that's hurting. The pain comes from pain-sensitive nerves located near the muscles and blood vessels of the face, neck, and scalp, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Find out more about headaches by taking this quiz. 1. Which of these is the most common kind of headache? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Nine of 10...

Test Yourself on Halloween Safety Halloween can be full of fun and excitement for youngsters, but it’s also a time for trick-or-treaters to be careful. Take this quiz to learn more about this popular holiday and how to make sure your family’s celebration is safe this year. 1. The first popular Halloween candy in America was: You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is The Tootsie Roll was America’s first wrapped penny candy. It was created and sold by candy maker Leo Hirshfield i...