Buzz
During a recent visit to a bookstore, I came across a book that instantly reminded me of a highly popular list we released last year. This prompted me to create a follow-up list of medical myths. These are widespread misconceptions often encountered by medical professionals, and this list aims to debunk them once and for all—or at least, that’s the intention! Don’t forget to share your favorite myths in the comments section.
10. Lost Contacts
Many of us likely know someone who insists they have a contact lens permanently lodged behind their eye. They often cite the fear of their eyeball being popped out during retrieval as the reason for leaving it there. Here’s some good news for those who believe they’re experiencing this frustrating side effect of wearing contacts: it’s impossible for a lens to get stuck behind your eye. There’s no space there for it to go. If you’ve misplaced your lens, it’s most likely either folded up in your eyelid or lying on the bathroom floor after a late-night removal attempt!
9. Lost Tampons
This one is for the ladies (and gentlemen might want to skip this part). It’s surprisingly frequent for women to rush to the emergency room because their tampon string broke off, and they can’t locate the tampon. In nearly every instance, the examining doctor finds nothing inside. Why? Because there’s nowhere for it to go. The vaginal walls remain closed unless something is inserted (like a tampon). At the top of this potential space lies the cervix. If a tampon seems missing, it’s likely because you forgot you already took it out.
8. Flu Vaccinations
There’s a common myth that flu shots can give you the flu. Let’s put that rumor to rest—it’s impossible. Flu vaccines contain viruses that are either deactivated or dead. Even though the virus isn’t alive, your immune system can still recognize it and mount a defense. That said, there was an incident where a large batch of swine flu vaccine had to be recalled because the lab accidentally forgot to deactivate the virus. Oops.
7. Heart Injection Myth
The iconic film *Pulp Fiction* unfortunately popularized a medical myth: the idea that injecting someone directly into the heart is a quick way to deliver drugs. In the movie, it’s a shot of adrenaline to counteract a drug overdose. However, this is entirely fictional. Doctors never inject directly into the heart. Adrenaline is administered during heart attacks, but it’s delivered into a vein, not the heart. Additionally, adrenaline isn’t used for heroin overdoses—narcan is. The closest doctors get to inserting a needle near the heart is when they drain excess fluid from the surrounding sac.
6. Sleep Patterns in the Elderly
There’s a widespread belief that as you age, you need less sleep. This, however, is nothing more than a myth. In reality, the amount of sleep required remains fairly consistent throughout adulthood. Once you pass the age of sixty-five, you might even need a bit more sleep. The myth likely stems from the fact that older individuals often struggle with falling asleep, which reduces their total sleep duration. The issue isn’t a reduced need for sleep—it’s the difficulty in achieving it.
5. Chocolate and Acne
Countless children are scolded daily with the warning that eating too much chocolate or greasy food will cause acne. However, meticulously conducted scientific studies reveal that the likelihood of these foods causing acne is extremely low. In one study, a control group was given chocolate-free bars, while another group received chocolate with ten times the usual amount. Neither group showed any changes in acne. That said, overindulging in these foods can still lead to weight gain.
4. The Sneeze Myth
This myth has a slight connection to reality, but it’s still a myth. The idea that your heart stops when you sneeze is completely false. However, the misconception likely arose because sneezing can sometimes cause a temporary, irregular heartbeat. This is simply due to a sudden change in chest pressure.
3. Ulcers and Contagion
Anyone who has experienced a cold sore knows how painful they can be. They’re also highly contagious, so kissing is off the table! However, unlike cold sores, mouth ulcers are not contagious, despite what many believe. The exact cause of mouth ulcers remains unclear, but viruses and bacteria have been ruled out. The most likely explanation is an immune system imbalance.
2. Sleep After a Concussion
Once again, movies are to blame for this misconception. Falling asleep after a concussion is not dangerous in most cases, and there’s no need to frantically slap someone to keep them awake after a head injury (unless they’ve been misbehaving). Concussions rarely lead to comas. However, if you or someone you know suffers a severe head injury, it’s crucial to seek medical attention to ensure everything is fine.
1. Sucking a Wound
I’m sure everyone reading this has, at some point, cut their finger and instinctively put it in their mouth. This is a terrible idea. The mouth is teeming with bacteria—far from a sterile environment. Placing a cut finger in your mouth is essentially inviting an infection. The origin of this odd habit is unclear, but let’s hope we all remember this advice the next time we get a cut.
