Medical Myths
Sep 30, 2008 05:00PM ● By Super Admin
Medical information can be confusing. New data is continually released and is often appealing to the hopeful, the nervous and the health conscious. Style consulted with three local medical professionals and gathered some of the misperceptions they encounter on a regular basis, as well as the information to set the record straight.
Marshall Medical Center
11. Cracking your knuckles causes arthritis. The cracking or popping sound that you hear is simply the breaking of the adhesive seal in the joint, and there is no evidence to show that this causes arthritis.
12. Bed rest is a useful therapy. Studies have repeatedly found that early mobilization is better than bed rest for prevention and treatment of some medical conditions.
13. Antibiotics should be used to treat acute sinusitis. Patients with severe signs and symptoms of sinusitis lasting longer than 10 days may benefit from antibiotics, while less severe cases may do just as well without them.
14. Drink eight glasses of water per day. There has never been a scientific study to support this. Let your thirst guide your fluid intake unless there is a specific medical reason to do differently. The major exceptions are during exercise or when working out in the heat—drink plenty of water to remain hydrated.
15. You can get the flu from getting a flu shot. You cannot get the flu from a flu vaccine. Some people who get the vaccine might still get the flu, but they will usually get a milder case than people who are not vaccinated.
– Family Physician Lance Holtry, D.O.
For more Medical Myths numbers one through 10, be sure to pick up this month's copy of FoothillStyle. Click on the "Get Your Copy" link on the bottom of this page for some of our newsstand locations. Or, to order a copy of this issue, please email Gloria Schroeder at [email protected], or call her at 916-988-9888 x116.
Marshall Medical Center
11. Cracking your knuckles causes arthritis. The cracking or popping sound that you hear is simply the breaking of the adhesive seal in the joint, and there is no evidence to show that this causes arthritis.
12. Bed rest is a useful therapy. Studies have repeatedly found that early mobilization is better than bed rest for prevention and treatment of some medical conditions.
13. Antibiotics should be used to treat acute sinusitis. Patients with severe signs and symptoms of sinusitis lasting longer than 10 days may benefit from antibiotics, while less severe cases may do just as well without them.
14. Drink eight glasses of water per day. There has never been a scientific study to support this. Let your thirst guide your fluid intake unless there is a specific medical reason to do differently. The major exceptions are during exercise or when working out in the heat—drink plenty of water to remain hydrated.
15. You can get the flu from getting a flu shot. You cannot get the flu from a flu vaccine. Some people who get the vaccine might still get the flu, but they will usually get a milder case than people who are not vaccinated.
– Family Physician Lance Holtry, D.O.
For more Medical Myths numbers one through 10, be sure to pick up this month's copy of FoothillStyle. Click on the "Get Your Copy" link on the bottom of this page for some of our newsstand locations. Or, to order a copy of this issue, please email Gloria Schroeder at [email protected], or call her at 916-988-9888 x116.