Joey M.D.

I made this quiz for the things I usually tell my patients. I wonder how I would do in it.

1. Diet - 2 points for each “yes”. 1 point for each “sometimes I indulge”. 0 points for each “no”. Maximum 12 points.
   • Less sugar
   • Less fat and oils
   • Less salt
   • Less monosodium glutamate
   • Less processed foods
   • More fruit and veggies
2. Exercise. — Maximum 4 points. Refer below
   • Sedentary = 0 points
   • Low Active = 1 point
   • Active = 3 points
   • Very Active = 4 points
3. Do not smoke. = Maximum 5 points. Refer below
   • Non smoker = 5 points
   • 1-2 sticks/day = 3 points
   • 1 pack a day = 1 point
   • 2 or more packs a day = 0 point
4. Alcohol in moderation. - Maximum 5 points.
   1. No alcohol at all = 5 points
   2. Drinks 1 glass of red wine nightly, for health reasons. = 4 points
   3. Drinks only during social occasions, but only 1 serving of alcohol = 4 points
   4. Drinks only during social occasions, but gets tipsy = 2 points
   5. Drinks only during social occasions, but gets drunk = 1 point
   6. Weekly drinking sprees = 0 points
5. Practice hygiene.
   • Frequent handwashing = 3 points if “yes, I always bring soap around”, 2 points if “yes, if I’m home, but I bring alcohol/wipes/alcogel when I’m out”, 1 if “yes, but only with water, soap is too drying” and 0 if “no, I don’t bother”
   • Daily baths/showers = 2 points if “yes”, 0 if “no”
6. Take enough fluids. = 2 points if “yes, I take 8 glasses of water/fluids a day, on average”, 1 point if “I only drink when I’m thirsty”
7. Do not self medicate. = 2 points if “I only take medicine upon doctor’s prescription”, 1 point for “I only self medicate with over-the-counter medications, I consult the doctor if that doesn’t work” and 0 point for “why bother seeing a doctor? I’ll can cure myself”

My answers and score:

1. Diet - 2 points for each “yes”. 1 point for each “sometimes I indulge” or “I try”. 0 points for each “no”. Maximum 12 points.
   • Less sugar = sometimes I indulge = 1 point
   • Less fat and oils = sometimes I indulge = 1 point
   • Less salt = sometimes I indulge = 1 point
     
   • Less monosodium glutamate = yes= 2 points
     
   • Less processed foods = sometimes I indulge = 1 point
   • More fruit and veggies = I try = 1 point
   • MY TOTAL: 7 out of 12 points.
     
2. Exercise. — Maximum 4 points. Refer below
   • Sedentary = 0 points
   • Low Active = 1 point
   • Active = 3 points
   • Very Active = 4 points
3. Do not smoke. = Maximum 5 points. Refer below
   • Non smoker = 5 points
   • 1-2 sticks/day = 3 points
   • 1 pack a day = 1 point
   • 2 or more packs a day = 0 point
4. Alcohol in moderation. - Maximum 5 points.
   1. No alcohol at all = 5 points
   2. Drinks 1 glass of red wine nightly, for health reasons. = 4 points
   3. Drinks only during social occasions, but only 1 serving of alcohol on such occasions = 4 points
   4. Drinks only during social occasions, but gets tipsy = 2 points
   5. Drinks only during social occasions, but gets drunk = 1 point
   6. Weekly drinking sprees = 0 points
5. Practice hygiene.
   • Frequent handwashing = 3 points if “yes, I always bring soap around”, 2 points if “yes, if I’m home (or in the clinic), but I bring alcohol/wipes/alcogel when I’m out”, 1 if “yes, but only with water, soap is too drying” and 0 if “no, I don’t bother”
   • Daily baths/showers = 2 points if “yes”, 0 if “no”
6. Take enough fluids. = 2 points if “yes, I take 8 glasses of water/fluids a day, on average”, 1 point if “I only drink when I’m thirsty”
7. Do not self medicate. = 2 points if “I only take medicine upon doctor’s prescription”, 1 point for “I only self medicate with over-the-counter medications, I consult the doctor if that doesn’t work” and 0 point for “why bother seeing a doctor? I’ll can cure myself” (Well technically, my husband and I are doctors so we examine each other before taking medicine. But I only limit myself to those that I have knowledge about and consult one of my friends when I need to see a specialist.)

GRAND TOTAL: 24 points out of 35 possible points

Interpretation:

32 - 35 points = Wow! You’re pretty strict with yourself! You may indulge once in a while, but basically, you’re doing yourself a great service, health-wise.

25 - 31 points = You’re doing good. You manage to keep a fine balance between indulging yourself and keeping healthy habits.

18 - 24 points = You’re trying but you need to exert more effort! Just a little bit more exercise, or curbing of those vices, or diet modification will help.

17 points and below = You do need to make major changes in your health habits.

Aak! I am near to failing my own test! I do need to be less sedentary and to eat more fruits and veggies. They’re good for me anyway.

How did you do?

Disclaimer: This is not a legitimate, scientific, statistically accurate test. The author did this in the spirit of fun, but based it on the common things she admonishes patients to do.