Introduction
We all grew up listening to some myths. With time, some of them were busted as we gained more knowledge. Sometimes, other people and social media help us correct them, but some myths are still with us, which we continue to believe and have not gotten rid of yet. I myself have a lot of such misinformation, which is slowly clearing up.
A Medical Discussion
A few days back, I was hanging out with my medico friend who just graduated from medical school. Though we usually do not talk about health stuff, this time we did. When we started discussing old sayings and the myths attached to them, I got to learn some new information through that discussion. It really cleared up a few of my concepts and busted some myths.
However, I am a firm believer in the fact that our older generation’s sayings had something special and that they always had some truth because they came after years of experience. Well, in today's blog, I will be busting some health-related myths which have no real value and which, in evidence-based medicine, are considered scientifically wrong. At the end, there is also a surprising myth that is very prevalent here in the subcontinent. I do not know if people from other regions can relate, but I personally find it very funny and illogical.
Health Myths Busted
Flu Is Caused by Cold Temperature
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Growing up, I always heard family members say that going out in cold weather will cause flu and that extreme cold can even lead to pneumonia. Let's understand what actually causes flu or pneumonia. These illnesses are caused by viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens. Cold temperatures do not cause them directly. However, cold weather can help these pathogens attack the body more easily by weakening the immune response. So, cold temperature itself is not the cause, but it can be a contributing factor because it helps pathogens invade more successfully.
Natural Is Always Safe
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This may be a worldwide myth that anything natural is always safe. People believe that if something comes from plants or any natural source, it must be safe. Even medicines made from organic substances are often assumed to be harmless. However, this is not true. Natural substances can be very harmful if used without proper knowledge or guidance. Nature produces many toxic substances too, and using anything blindly just because it is natural can cause real harm to the body.
Predicting Gender Through Pregnancy Symptoms
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This myth is very prevalent in my part of the world. Many people try to predict the baby's gender through the mother's symptoms, like the shape of the belly or the severity of vomiting. For example, they say if the mother is having a hard pregnancy with excessive vomiting, then it must be a boy. Medically, this severe vomiting is called hyperemesis gravidarum, and its severity varies from woman to woman. It does not predict gender. Similarly, they say if you crave sweets, it is a girl, or if you have pigmentation, it is a girl. Pigmentation during pregnancy mainly occurs due to hormonal changes, not because of the baby's gender. The list goes on, and only our subcontinental aunties can guide you better on this.
Drinking Water with Watermelon Causes Cholera
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Cholera is a disease in which severe diarrhea occurs after drinking water contaminated with Vibrio cholerae bacteria. It is not caused by eating watermelon and drinking water together. This myth probably arose because someone in the past ate watermelon and drank contaminated water at the same time and developed cholera. The real cause is the dirty water, not the watermelon.
Smelling a Slipper During an Epilepsy Attack
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This one is the most hilarious one because I have directly heard people believe this myth and insist that it is true. In reality, epilepsy occurs due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain, which presents as a fit or seizure. Usually, the attack stops on its own after a few minutes. By the time people put a slipper under the patient's nose, the fit is already about to end naturally. They think it was the holy slipper that saved the patient, which is definitely not true.
Conclusion
These were some of the interesting myths that became part of my discussion with my friend, and I felt they were worth sharing. I am sure there are many more myths still left to bust. You can mention more of them below, especially those that are common in your part of the world.
Myths like these are everywhere. Some are harmless, but some can be very harmful. The important thing is that we should not blindly believe in them anymore. Medical science is now so advanced that there are hundreds of research studies available on most topics. We can easily clear our confusion with simple, thorough research.
In the end, I would like to say, "Jaan kar jiyo," which means live with knowledge.