|
|
|
|
7 great medical myths exposed
LAHORE, Dec 24, 2007: They are among medicine's most widely held beliefs –
drinking eight glasses of water a day is essential for health, reading in a dim
light ruins eyesight. Yet despite their popularity, they are myths, according to
an article published on December 21 in the Independent.
Medicine is
littered with false beliefs because doctors assume that if they have been held
for long enough they do not need re-examination.
In a review of widely
held medical beliefs – by public and professionals alike – two US doctors
selected several for critical examination and searched for evidence to support
or refute them.
Rachel Vreeman of the Indiana University School of
Medicine and Aaron Carroll of the Regenstrief Institute, Indianapolis, say they
could find no evidence to confirm the beliefs, or there was evidence that proved
them wrong, said the article. Writing in the Christmas issue of the British
Medical Journal, they say, "While belief in the described myths is unlikely to
cause harm, recommending medical treatment for which there is little evidence
certainly can."
The researchers stated that the following beliefs are
nothing more than just myths including the one to drink at least eight glasses
of water a day.
This advice derives from a 1945 recommendation that
adults should consume 2.5 litres of water daily, or one millilitre for every
calorie consumed. The crucial part of the recommendation – "most of this
quantity is contained in prepared foods" – is often ignored. What most people
don't know is that drinking too much water can be dangerous.
Reading in
dim light causes eye strain, difficulty in focusing and dries the eyes because
of reduced blinking while squinting but there is no evidence it causes lasting
damage.
Using 10 percent of brain: Studies of patients with brain damage
suggest damage to any area of the brain has lasting effects. Brain imaging
studies have shown no area of the brain is completely inactive and despite
"detailed probing" the non-functioning 90 per cent has not been located.
Shaving causes hair to grow back faster or coarser.
Shaved hair
lacks the finer taper seen at the end of unshaved hair. It has also not been
lightened by the sun, so it appears darker.
The belief that hair and
fingernails continue to grow after death is also just a myth.
The
illusion is caused by the dehydration of the body that results in the skin
retracting. Mobile phones are dangerous in hospitals.
Many hospitals
still ban them, despite the lack of evidence that they interfere with electronic
equipment, except in rare instances and at close quarters. Daily times
|
|
|
|
 |
| Post your Comments/ Views about the news. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Education News | | Updated: 23 May, 2012 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
