The most common medical myths
The top medical mythsDr Keith Hopcroft, The Times, April 18, 2008
Translation: Inopressa
Men can have a heart attack from sex
How wrong is this? Completely wrong. The danger is greatly exaggerated by books, films and plays about men giving up the ghost at the crime scene.
What are the facts? Studies show that a 50-year-old non-smoking man has a one in a million chance that a heart attack may occur at some point. During sexual intercourse, the probability increases to two chances out of a million. But doubling the virtually non-existent risk means that the risk is still negligible.
Related myths? That sex is a form of exercise. In fact, sex by load is identical to overcoming two flights of stairs.
High blood pressure causes headaches
How wrong is this? Pretty much. Astronomically high blood pressure can cause headaches, but this is a rare case.
What are the facts? High blood pressure (hypertension) usually has no symptoms at all. It is not a disease, it is a risk factor, so treatment is aimed at reducing the likelihood of a future stroke or heart attack, and not at improving well-being.
Related myths? High blood pressure causes dizziness. No, dizziness is a side effect of the treatment.
Diabetics crave sugar
How wrong is this? Completely wrong. Diabetics actually have to reduce the amount of sugar consumed, and sometimes they urgently need a dose of sugar when the blood glucose level drops too much. But the conclusion that the need for sugar is the same as diabetes is understandable, but wrong.
What are the facts? Diabetes is not caused by excess sugar, it's just that the body of a person with diabetes cannot digest sugar.
Related myths? Diabetics need to buy special foods and drinks with low sugar content. Not true, a healthy diet is enough.
Women need breast self-examination
How wrong is this? Pretty much.
What are the facts? Studies show that regular self-checks are useless when it comes to cancer, because they are not accurate enough to detect tumors. In fact, self-examinations can even cause harm. How? Causing increased anxiety in those who conduct them.
Related myths? There is a clear parallel with the regular self–check of male testicles - another questionable activity that still has fans, because it seems like a good idea.
Diets help lower cholesterol levels
How wrong is this? Completely. Doctors rarely recommend a diet alone if your cholesterol level really needs to be lowered.
What are the facts? A healthy diet is good. But, if you want to lower your cholesterol, you will be disappointed. Because even if you torture yourself with diets, the most you will be able to achieve is a 10% reduction. When you lower your cholesterol intake through dieting, your liver starts producing more cholesterol. Treatment of high cholesterol is usually carried out with the help of statins.
Related myths? High cholesterol provokes panic. In fact, this is just a risk factor, like high blood pressure, which can increase the likelihood of problems in the future.
Headaches themselves can be a symptom of a brain tumor
How wrong is this? Absolutely wrong.
What are the facts? Simple statistics can save you a headache. After all, your therapist is confronted with this symptom every day, but discovers a brain tumor a few times in his entire practice. Similar troubles almost always cause other symptoms: seizures, personality changes or anxiety.
Related myths? What should be done tomography. The chances of detecting a minor but worrisome deviation are quite high.
Do not mix antibiotics with alcohol
How wrong is this? Absolutely wrong, except for the antibiotic metronidazole.
What are the facts? The interaction of alcohol with almost all antibiotics is negligible or so little that it does not affect anything. The antibiotic metronidazole, used to treat various infections, is an exception. When mixed with even small doses of alcohol, it causes nausea.
Related myths? The course of treatment with antibiotics should always be completed. Usually it doesn't matter.
Fatigue can be caused by anemia
How wrong is this? Completely.
What are the facts? Fatigue is a common phenomenon, and in the absence of other symptoms, it is usually explained by lifestyle costs such as stress and lack of exercise. A mild form of anemia caused by a lack of iron is also common, especially in women. When tired, a blood test is often taken, and anemia may be detected, which is mistakenly considered the cause of fatigue.
Related myths? You can get rid of fatigue with the help of vitamins – chemists will tell you the opposite.
You can get the flu by getting a flu shot
How wrong is this? Absolutely wrong. You may have a slight pain in your arm, or, in the worst case, a slight fever.
What are the facts? There are no live viruses in the vaccine, so it cannot cause the flu. But usually the vaccination is done in the fall, which accounts for the peak of colds, and many patients can catch the virus before or after vaccination. They mistakenly think it's the flu, blaming vaccination for the disease.
Related myths? The idea that if you are healthy, then you don't need a flu shot. In fact, it is recommended for all people over the age of 65, even if they are in good shape and healthy.
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23.04.2008