Every generation ushers in a new crop of medical myths and misconceptions about what is “healthy.” People used to give children a spoonful of castor oil every day, people used to not think twice about smoking, and we used to also give people an ice bath to bring down a fever.
Today, we have our own set of rumors and falsehoods that must be put to rest once and for all. Here are some of the biggest medical myths of the modern age:
1. Stay Away from Prescription Medicine
One poor piece of advice is to avoid prescription medications. The fact is that we are each in charge of our own good health, and your doctor will only prescribe a medicine that will not adversely interact with your existing medications.
That is also why it is so important to give your physician the full list of medicines and supplements you take on a regular basis. Your doctor will know whether a prescription medicine may not go well with another medicine you’re taking.
2. Everyone Should Take a Daily Multivitamin
While some multivitamins may help address specific needs, such as folic acid for pregnant women for a healthy pregnancy, many people think that they can forgo a healthy diet by just taking a multivitamin every day. Many people, therefore, think that they do not really need to eat their fruits and vegetables, but the best way to get nutrients is always through the food we eat.
Also, many people have pre-existing conditions whose health will actually suffer if they ingest too much of certain vitamins and minerals every day. For example, if you have an overly active immune system, supplements with vitamin B-6 and vitamin C should be avoided because they can strengthen the immune system even further. In this case, it’s best to get regular amounts of these elements via normal food intake, not an influx from a multivitamin.
3. Vaccines Cause Autism
Many parents believe that the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine can cause autism, so many parents refuse to have their children vaccinated. This false rumor began in the 1990s after a respected British medical journal published a report about this connection, but it has since been retracted by the journal.
The true reason for the rise in the number of autistic kids is due to advances in psychology and testing. Unfortunately, the rumor has taken hold, and we have seen long-eradicated deadly illnesses coming back due to so many people not being vaccinated.
4. The Flu Vaccine Causes the Flu
The flu virus in the vaccine is dead, so it cannot cause the flu. Those who receive the flu vaccine and report getting the flu afterward had already contracted the virus beforehand, or they have been infected by another strain not covered by the flu vaccine.
Family Medicine Doctors for Every Generation
Our family medicine physicians here at Texas Medical Institute can help you maintain good health through preventive care, treatment for common health problems, diagnosis of emerging conditions, and management of chronic illness. We can answer any and all questions you may have about medical rumors you have heard or certain assumptions you’ve always had.
To schedule a consultation, contact our friendly staff at the Texas Medical Institute by calling us today at (817) 615-8633 or request an appointment online now. It is our privilege to take care of you and your entire family!
