Below are some popular medical myths along with their realities:
Myth 1: The flu vaccine causes the flu.
Reality: One cannot catch the flu from a flu vaccine.
In the earlier days of medical history, vaccines were less pure, resulting in brief reactions such as chills and fever. New flu vaccines, instead of containing the whole virus, use only parts of the influenza virus to create an immune response in the body. New vaccines are highly recommended, unless you have an allergy to eggs, which are used to make them.
Myth 2: One should not swim immediately after eating.
Reality: One can swim after eating without waiting for a period of time.
It makes sense to avoid strenuous activities for a short period immediately after a heavy meal to avoid abdominal cramping, but it is not dangerous.
Myth 3: Drinking hot, black coffee will help you sober up after consuming a lot of alcohol.
Reality: Coffee cannot reverse the effects of intoxication, as it does not rid the body of alcohol.
This myth might have originated because one can experience a partial reversal of the sedating effect of alcohol after drinking a beverage with caffeine. If you drink coffee while intoxicated, you may become more alert, but you will still be under the influence of alcohol.
Myth 4: Drinking eight glasses of water a day is good for your health and prevents the formation of kidney stones.
Reality: There is no scientific study to justify this eight-glass rule.
Let your thirst guide you regarding fluid intake unless otherwise advised by a doctor. Fluid intake does reduce kidney stone formation. Nevertheless, the answer to the question "How much water?" depends on one's environment and physical activity. A simple guide could be to drink enough water to keep your urine looking like water. It should not turn dark yellow.
Myth 5: Taking vitamin C helps prevent catching the common cold.
Reality: Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, helps prevent scurvy but plays no role in preventing colds.
Intake of vitamin C, an antioxidant, may reduce the intensity or duration of cold symptoms, but there is no evidence to suggest it prevents colds. In fact, large doses of the vitamin may be harmful in some cases. The explanation for actual improvement in some cases may be the placebo effect, which occurs in one of every five people.
Myth 6: Reading in dim light damages our eyesight.
Reality: Normally, with some exceptions such as looking directly at sunlight or a laser, we cannot damage our eyes by using them.
When we read in dim light, it may be uncomfortable to focus, but it has no permanent effect on the health of our eyes. Because of poor lighting or close proximity, eye muscles get strained or tired. This effect is temporary, and lubricating eye drops can easily treat it.
