Medical 'Truths' That May Be False
Drink a lot of water and get plenty of bed rest -- these are just some of the things we believe will keep us healthy. However, some of these medical "truths" may be false.
Women need a Pap smear every year -- false.
All women should have Pap smears yearly from age 21 until age 30.
After age 30, if the results are good for at least three years in a row, women can skip the test for two to three years.
We need to drink six to eight glasses of water a day -- false.
Men need 15 and a half cups of liquid a day, and women need 11 and a half cups of liquid a day.
To stay hydrated, you can drink water, coffee or any other liquids.
Depression can be treated safely and easily by correcting a chemical imbalance -- false.
For years, doctors have been treating depression with pills like Prozac to balance seratonin levels in the brain.
Some research shows these drugs are no more effective than those used years ago to treat depression.
And talk therapy may be more helpful than drugs.
Bed rest can help recovery time -- false.
Often doctors prescribe bedrest to help a patient heal quickly.
But research doesn't always back this up.
In the case of heart attacks and back pain, bed rest can make things worse.
If your doctor suggests bed rest, ask if it's really necessary.
Impacted wisdom teeth should be removed -- false.
Rather than preventing problems, surgically removing wisdom teeth can cause pain, swelling and possible nerve damage.
Unless your wisdom teeth are decaying, infected or hurting other teeth, you don't need to get them removed.
Talk to your doctor before you make any of these health changes.
