Pain and Health Myths Debunked

There are many myths in medicine that are considered by many to be actual facts. This is due to misinformed individuals who have no idea on the real research involved in the many areas of health. Here, we explore some of this myths and the evidence to set the record straight.
Recently, several medical journalists have been studying these myths.

For example, Anahad O’Connor, published “Never Shower in a Thunderstorm: Surprising Facts and Misleading Myths About Our Health and the World We Live In,” in Time books.

Also, an oncologist at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Nancy Snyderman with a health correspondent for NBC news, published the book, “Medical Myths That Can Kill You- And the 101 Truths That Will Save, Extend, and Improve Your Life.”

Try these myths and test your knowledge:

1). The Need to Drink Eight Glasses of Water per Day. It is widely believed that in order to maintain the body hydrated, a person should drink at least eight glasses of beverages or water on a daily basis. So far, no studies have proven that the average human body actually needs this much amount of liquid.

The Institute of Medicine advises that the body can acquire its daily liquid requirement from other sources like fruits and vegetables, which contain a high percentage of water mass. People are instructed to drink liquids when they feel thirsty.

For the very active persons, a higher intake of water might be necessary. It is recommended, in these cases, to combine the intake of some sports drinks, mainly in hotter climates, to replace electrolytes.

2). Contagious Poison Ivy. Poison Ivy’s rash is not spread from one person to another. Only the remnant of the plant’s resin can be passed unto another person, causing a new rash. This is called “contact dermatitis,” and its spread is related to the actual exposure to the plant by the skin, and, not by, the scratching. But, the scratching can extend the infection.

This rash should be medicated with a steroid ointment, not with anti-itch lotion or with creams containing antihistamines. The steroid could be a hydrocortisone. It is recommended the use of Prednisone for more severe situations. The use of a wet towel may be used to achieve a faster drying.

People even become more sensitive to poison ivy by repeated exposure to it. This even increases the symptoms after each new contact with the plant.

3). Cleaning Your Ears with Cotton Swabs. You may actually puncture the tympanic membrane with a cotton swab. This could even require an operation to correct the resulting fissure.

Cotton swabs may cause an obstruction and damage of the ear by pushing any wax present further inside the external auditory channel. Ear wax cleaning drops are recommended to safely remove it.

4). Swimming after Eating Should Not be done. All of our parents have told us not to swim with a full stomach sometime in our lives. Researchers have not found any evidence to support this. Only if, someone is to perform a strenuous and long swim workout after eating, it is then recommended that the person rests to avoid a possible stomach cramp.

For obvious reasons, it is advised not swim while under the influence of alcohol as injury can easily result from the lack of coordination.

5). Painkillers should only be Medicated for Extreme Pain. Painkillers, like Oxaforte, work better if used at the onset of the pain symptoms. Research indicates that pain medication may have a lesser impact in reducing pain, if used after an extended period after having it.

6). Shaved Hair Will Grow Thicker and Faster. Many studies have confirmed that this idea is not true, because, shaved hair is basically dead cells and do not influence the rate of growth. The new growth’s speed is only influenced by the new hair follicles found underneath the first layer of skin. The darker tone of the new hair is mainly due the extended exposure to sunrays and to chemicals found in soaps.