Medical Myths Surveys | What The Data Reveals

livewell
August 29, 2024
Noah Bennett

What are Medical Myths?

Medical myths are false beliefs about human health that people have accepted despite scientific proof debunking them. Moreover, these misconceptions are spread through social media platforms. Medical myths generally start from harmless misinformation to potentially harmful ideas that can negatively impact human health.

Furthermore, people pass these medical myths from generation to generation resulting in significant consequences, including several health conditions.

What are Surveys and why are they important to uncover Medical Myths?

Surveys help collect data by asking questions from a specific group of people. Moreover, they cover a wide variety of topics. Surveys play an important role in exposing medical myths, the number of people believing these myths, and why these myths persist. Let’s discuss their importance.

Unveiling Common Myths

It helps unveil common myths by asking people questions about their medical beliefs. The researcher analyzes the responses and identifies common myths. For instance, surveys reveal the myth that vaccines cause autism.

Pinpointing the Demographics Believing in Medical Myths

Surveys help understand which demographics are prone to believe certain medical myths. Additionally, this information helps target specific groups of people to debunk medical myths.

Measures the Impact of Myth

It helps assess the effectiveness of campaigns aimed to debunk myths, by identifying how people’s belief changes with time. If the myth persists, it signals a need for a change in strategy or approach to debunk it.

Increasing Awareness

Distributing the knowledge of the survey results to the public raises awareness about medical myths. Moreover, it motivates people to seek correct information.

What Are Some Common Medical Myths?

Some common medical myths are:

Misconception About Gums Staying In The Stomach

To understand the myth that chewing gum stays in the stomach for seven years, you must know how the human digestive system works. When a person swallows gum, it goes down the esophagus and reaches the stomach. The stomach uses different acids and enzymes for the breakdown of food.

Additionally, the digestive system can only break down the oil and sugar in chewing gum. However, the gum base containing resins, waxes, and elastomers, remains unaffected by these digestive enzymes. Despite this, the gum does not stay in the stomach for seven years. Researchers have found that gum can deliver bioactive constituents such as curcumin, known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics. Moreover, the indigestible part of chewing gum moves through the digestive tract unchanged and exits the body in the stool after a few days.

Exposure to Cold Weather Causes Sickness

Another medical myth is that exposure to cold weather causes sickness. However, cold weather does not directly cause sickness, it’s a factor in the spread of microbes. We prefer to stay indoors and are in close contact with others during cold weather, thus increasing the chance of disease. Additionally, viruses can survive longer in the air during cold weather. You can prevent illness or infections during cold weather by several approaches such as:

Regularly washing hands.
Maintaining a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle.
Getting vaccinated reduces infection and illness risks.

Vaccines tend to result in Flu and Autism

A researcher Dr. Andrew Wakefield conducted a study and suggested a link between vaccines and autism. His study was rejected later due to many flaws. Additionally, numerous researches reported no significant association between vaccines and autism. Another medical myth is flu vaccines result in flu. After receiving flu vaccines, some individuals can experience mild side effects like soreness, fever, muscle aches, etc. But these side effects disappear after one to two days. The vaccines are important as they protect you from various diseases and complications. Thus, getting vaccinated is crucial for a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

Cracking the Knuckles causes Arthritis

Some people believe that cracking the knuckles causes arthritis. Numerous researches have been conducted to check the association between knuckle cracking and arthritis. Dr. Donald Unger reported no significant association between knuckle cracking and arthritis. However, one should not crack his/her knuckles as it is not risk-free. Temporary joint inflammation and reduced gripping strength are potential risks of cracking knuckles. In severe cases, it can result in joint injury.

Sugar Intake Causes Hyperactiveness in Kids

The belief that sugar intake results in hyperactiveness in kids is another medical myth. This myth gained popularity because Dr. Benjamin Feingold conducted research suggesting that sugar results in hyperactivity in kids. Different scientific researchers debunked this study. Additionally, numerous researchers reported no significant association between sugar intake and increased hyperactivity in kids.

Antiperspirants Cause Breast Cancer

Another myth is antiperspirant causes breast cancer. This myth stemmed from the idea that certain chemicals in antiperspirants can be absorbed by the skin thus affecting breast tissue. Some individuals believe that these chemicals can interfere with different hormones or can cause mutations that eventually lead to cancer. However, numerous scientific research debunked this medical myth.

People must Drink at least 8 glasses of Water Daily

The belief that people must drink at least 8 glasses of water daily is a medical myth. It is essential to stay hydrated, however, a rule to drink “8 glasses a day” has no scientific evidence. Additionally, the amount of water an individual needs varies and depends upon several factors like age, weight, level of physical activities, gender, diet, weather, etc. Instead of following the 8-glass water drinking rule, it’s better to listen to your body’s needs. Drink when you feel thirsty, increase water consumption in hot weather and during physical exercises or activities.

We use 10% of Brain

This medical myth persisted for centuries despite advancements in neuroscience. Studies on brain imaging, microstructural analysis, and other brain-related studies prove that people use more than 10% of their brains. Moreover, numerous studies on brain imaging show that no part of the brain is completely inactive. Similarly, metabolic studies also reveal no inactive regions. Thus using 10% of the brain is a medical myth among other health misconceptions.

Hair and Nails Grow Even After Death

Hair and nails keep growing even after the person’s death is another medical myth. However, in reality, after an individual dies, his/her body undergoes various physiological changes, among these changes is dehydration. The dehydration results in shrinking and retracting skin around nails and hair. This makes hair and nails appear like they have grown. Moreover, the growth of hair and nails requires proper cell functioning, so after death, these cells stop working. Keratinocytes are the cells responsible for hair and nail growth, after a person’s death, these cells stop working.

Sitting very close to the Television affects eyesight

So many people believe in this myth. However, sitting very close to the television can result in eye strain, but it does not result in permanent vision loss. Additionally, with the advancements, modern television has certain features that reduce eye strain risk. It’s important to take precautionary measures to maintain healthy eyes. These measures include:

Sitting at least an arm’s length from the television.
After 20 minutes divert your focus for 20 seconds and look at objects at approximately 20 feet distance.
Adjust the screen brightness, color, and, contrast to ideal settings.

What are the steps for Debunking Health Myths?

Some steps for debunking medical myths are as follows:

Identify the medical myths that require debunking. Moreover, know its origin and factors that contribute to its spread.
Collect scientific evidence from medical myth surveys, research, and more. Moreover, consult professionals to gain their insight into the medical myths and ensure your knowledge is accurate and up-to-date.
It’s important to use simple language, to debunk medical myths.
Additionally, based on proof give advice to help individuals adopt healthy behaviors.
Use different platforms like social media, public talks, etc. to debunk medical myths.

By following these guidelines, you can debunk medical myths effectively.

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What is meant by medical myths?

Medical myths are false beliefs about human health that people have accepted despite scientific proof debunking them.

What are surveys?

Surveys help collect data by asking questions from a specific group of people. Surveys play an important role in exposing medical myths, the number of people believing these myths, and why these myths persist.

Why health misinformation surveys are important?

Health misinformation surveys are important for identifying the existence and origin of medical myths. These surveys help assess public response to these medical myths. Moreover, it helps target the desired audience who believes in these myths.

What are some common medical myths?

Some common medical myths include: vaccines cause autism and flu, gum stays in the stomach for seven years, cracking the knuckles results in arthritis, we use 10% of the brain, sugar consumption makes children hyperactive, sitting too close to television affects eyesight, antiperspirants cause breast cancer, etc.

Why debunking medical myths are essential?

Debunking is essential to educate people to make health decisions based on correct and accurate information. Thus, debunking promotes a healthier lifestyle.