Common Medical Myths and Misconceptions

Medical myths are all over the place. No one can really be sure as to where these medical myths got their start, some think they were invented by parents to try inspire good behavior in their children, but that's just a theory. There are many things that people just accept as true without question simply because they are told repeatedly the same thing, but that the fact that a lot of people believe something false doesn't make any more true. Some very common medical myths are some that the majority of people believe and have accepted, but a lot of them are just not factual. Some of the most common medical misconceptions are:

Medical Myth #1- Eating turkey makes you sleepy
I've heard of numerous coaches telling their athletes to stay away from turkey before a game, but there is no real reason for this. This by far one of the most commonly heard and most believed medical myths there is, but it is just that, a myth. Turkey does contain tryptophan, which is probably how this myth got its start, but it does not contain nearly enough to actually make a person sleepy or drowsy.

Medical Myth #2- Touching frogs or toads gives you warts
Warts have the same gross texture that toads and frogs have, but that doesn't mean that they are contracted through them. Frogs and toads are not the most loveable animals, but if you have some deep desire to hold on, don't be afraid of getting warts. Warts are contracted to human contact and have absolutely nothing to do with frogs or toads.

Medical Myth #3- Cracking your knuckles gives you arthritis
Cracking, or popping, your knuckles is not a particularly great habit, but it definitely won't be the cause of your arthritis if you happen to develop it. If you do pop your knuckles, there is a possibility that you could damage one of your joints, but that's as far as it goes. Arthritis has to do with your immune system and there is most research will tell you that there is nothing you can do to prevent it.

Medical Myth #4- We only use 10% of our brains
This could not be more false. If you have a normal functioning brain, then all of it is being used on a daily basis. There is not much else to say rather than this is just untrue.

Medical Myth #5- Reading in little light will damage your eyesight
They say that reading in dim light or in the dark strains your eyes and therefore damages them, but this is not so. Your eyes are not changed enough by reading in dim light that it will effect your vision. It might give you a headache, but it won't be the cause of your need for glasses or contacts.

ref-www.webmd.com