It is one thing to believe in something completely harmless.
But health myths are often not harmless: they can trick you out of your money or, worse, harm you and others physically.
Here are some health myths that we no longer have to believe in. It’s time.
Vaccines cause autism
Let’s just get this out of the way. In 2010, Lancet withdrew a 12-year-old Andrew Wakefield newspaper that claimed a link between the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps and rubella) and autism.
Scientists had long questioned the study, claiming that its sample size was too small and they couldn’t repeat the results. It also turned out that Wakefield carefully selected the children he reported on and some of his research was funded by lawyers who acted for parents who sued vaccine manufacturers.
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Since then, he has lost his medical license.
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How a decade-old, fraudulent vaccine study still affects public health
Unfortunately, the damage was done. Measles has made a big comeback with recent outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ukraine, the Philippines, Greece and many, many other countries.
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Samoa says that almost 90 percent of people are vaccinated against measles after a fatal outbreak
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At the beginning of December, the World Health Organization announced that more than 140,000 people worldwide died from measles in 2018, which the director-general of the organization described as “outrage”.
The WHO also called vaccination hesitation one of the world’s greatest public health threats.
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Another study found no association between MMR vaccine and autism
And despite extensive research, scientists have found no link between vaccines and autism. Study after study, including one this year that nearly every child in Denmark was born over an eleven-year period, has shown that there is no relationship between the two.
However, this belief has not disappeared and it is time for this to happen.
Vaping is risk free
By December 4, 2019, 2,291 Americans had been hospitalized for an illness that could be related to their steaming habits, the Centers for Disease Control reported. Forty-eight people have died.
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In Canada, 13 cases of steam-related illness were reported by December 3.
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According to the CDC, these vape brands are linked to the outbreak of vaping diseases in the United States
It is still unclear exactly what is causing the problem. Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has suggested that it is a chemical called vitamin E acetate that is found in certain liquids, especially those that contain THC, one of the active ingredients in cannabis.
Public health officials have since advised people not to smoke if they are not.
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An Ontario teenager develops a popcorn-lung-like steam disorder
An Ontario teenager develops a popcorn-lung-like steam disorder
Please note the following: Vaping is definitely safer than smoking. According to a study by the Conference Board of Canada, around 45,000 deaths are associated with smoking in Canada each year. No deaths have been associated with vaping in Canada to date.
Just because something is safer than smoking is far from good. Since smoking is one of the most risky things you can do for your health, pretty much everything is safer than smoking.
You’ll find sponsored contents promoting vaping as safe and healthy. However, you should scrutinize what you read online and check if vaping is good for you or not. While many online resources show some research findings, but nothing is conclusive. Abstinence is still the safest way to prevent the ill effects of smoking. Of course, keep yourself away too from second-hand smoke.
Rest helps your back pain
It will not. This also applies to neck pain – several studies have now found that regular, gentle training is the best way to get back on your feet if you have back pain or neck pain.
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Bed rest is the worst thing you can do, Doug Gross, professor of physiotherapy at the University of Alberta, who co-authored an important study published in the Lancet, told Global News in 2018.
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We treat back pain completely wrong. Here’s how to do it right
Regular exercise can also help prevent back pain.
Unfortunately, his research has shown that even clinicians often suggest that someone stays at home and rest until they feel no pain.
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Opioids are no better than acetaminophen, ibuprofen for chronic back pain and arthritis pain
Prescription pain relievers are also not a good idea: Some studies have shown that opioids are no better than ordinary Tylenol or Advil in the treatment of back pain and can be associated with additional side effects and a risk of addiction.
Pillows can help too in indirect ways. Choose a high-quality pillow when sitting down or sleeping in a bed for a good night’s rest. Using a travel pillow can help you feel more comfortable when you’re suffering from back pain on a long trip.
Cannabis can cure everything
Cannabis is now legal, and that means the drug and its derivatives, like cannabidiol (CBD), are found in all types of products that are said to help you relax, develop dull anxiety symptoms, pain alleviate and much more.
The problem is that from a scientific point of view we just don’t know if these things are true.
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Four myths and misunderstandings about pot and your health
Since cannabis has been illegal for so long, there has not been much medical research into its properties. We haven’t done the studies, experts say, so we don’t know so much about what cannabis does and what doesn’t.
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Earlier this year, a review of the literature more or less came to the conclusion that cannabis or CBD can be used to treat anxiety and depression: doctors definitely don’t know enough to recommend it as a general treatment, and there is even evidence of it that this is the case could be detrimental to these conditions.
CBD oil is not a medicine. It’s a food supplement product, like vitamin C capsules and grape seed extract. When you take CBD, you won’t feel pain-free instantaneously. Instead, you’ll experience subtle effects like calmness and relaxation 15 to 45 minutes after consumption.
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Study shows that there is little evidence that cannabis can be used to treat mental illness
Don’t worry, researchers definitely think so. Two large research centers have recently been set up at McMaster University and McGill University, and many people across the country are exploring the medical potential of cannabis.
Takeaway
Bust the myths away and welcome the new year with newfound knowledge from this article. Don’t be fooled with advertisement gimmicks. In addition, don’t hesitate to ask health experts if you have health-related concerns. Empower yourself with the correct information before buying a product or practicing an activity to improve your overall health.
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