9 Health "Facts" Demystified

Learn the truth behind common health-related myths

Just because something is generally accepted as true doesn't make it so, especially when it comes to good health. Misinformation spreads easily, plus new research comes out all the time—so what was considered accurate five minutes ago may no longer be accepted as true. Read on as we debunk nine common (but incorrect) health "facts."

Common Wisdom: The More You Exercise, the Slimmer You'll Be
Reality: Move more, burn more calories, lose more weight—right? Maybe not. It turns out there really isn't much proof that doing lots of intense exercise is best for slimming down. "[It's] better to distribute the movements throughout the day," explains Hans-Rudolf Berthoud, PhD, a professor of neurobiology and nutrition at Louisiana State University, in a recent Time magazine story.

One problem is that when most of us go for a "workout," we tend to overestimate how much we're getting out it. To burn off a small chocolate milkshake, for example, you'd have to run for 50 minutes or walk for 120 minutes. A related issue, say experts, is that an extended bout of activity can stimulate your appetite so that you end up eating more than you normally would.

This doesn't mean that you shouldn't exercise; just don't feel bad if you're not a "gym" person. And remember: There's plenty of proof that physical activity helps prevent conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease, so making the numbers on the scale move isn't the only reason to do it.

Common Wisdom: Everyone Needs Eight Glasses of Water a Day
Reality: You only need to drink enough so that you're not thirsty. According to research led by Stanley Goldfarb, MD, at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, there's nothing magical about getting eight glasses. Of course, you don't want to get dehydrated, but some people need to drink more and some need less. Unless your doctor tells you otherwise (because of a medical condition), trust your thirst signals. And remember that water-rich foods (like fruit, soup, etc.) will also help keep you hydrated.

Common Wisdom: Use a Cotton Swab to Clean Out Your Ears
Reality: We've all done this, but the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery warns against it. In fact, using cotton swabs to try to clean out your ears can push wax farther into the canal and lead to hearing loss. "Under ideal circumstances, the ear canals should never have to be cleaned," according to the Academy.

Removing wax is only necessary if you have pain, fullness, a feeling that it's plugged, ringing or noises in your ear, itching, odor, discharge or coughing. When these things happen, try putting a few drops of mineral oil into the ear to soften it, and then clean the external part only with a washcloth. You can also buy an ear drop kit (at drugstores). If that doesn't work, see a doctor, who can use special instruments to manually remove the wax.

Common Wisdom: Stress Causes Ulcers
Reality: Your emotions won't make you develop a peptic ulcer—a sore in the stomach or small intestine—though it could make an existing one worse. Most ulcers are caused by bacteria (H. pylori) and can be treated with antibiotics. Smoking cigarettes or taking too many NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory) drugs, like aspirin and ibuprofen, may also contribute to the development of ulcers. No matter your state of mind, call your doctor right away if you feel a burning ache in your stomach, are vomiting or having bowel movements that are very dark or have blood in them.

Common Wisdom: A Heart Attack Always Causes Crushing Chest Pain
Reality: Chest pain is the most common heart attack symptom—but it's not the only one. What's more, some people (especially women) don't have any chest pain at all during a heart attack. Other symptoms to watch out for: shortness of breath; sudden, severe fatigue; nausea or vomiting; and back or jaw pain. Learn more at GoRedforWomen.org

Common Wisdom: The Thinner You Are, the Longer You'll Live
Reality: Experts have long debated this topic, but lately it seems that having a little meat on your bones may be better when it comes to longevity. Underweight people are more apt to be lacking various nutrients that keep you healthy. They're also more likely to suffer from osteoporosis and break a bone (which can lead to disability and even fatality in older people). On the other hand, obesity can be even more dangerous, since it increases the risk of serious conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes, which can lead to dying prematurely.

So who lives the longest? Most people think that a body mass index in the "normal" range is ideal, which may be true. But interestingly, a recent study in the journal Obesity found that people who were just slightly overweight seem to live the longest. The researchers say that this isn't an excuse to go out and gain weight, or to stop trying to lose it if you're overweight or obese, because there are just too many unknowns. The takeaway, for now: Worry a little less about how much you weigh (unless you're substantially overweight or underweight) and a little more about how healthy you are overall.

Common Wisdom: Elderly People are the Most Susceptible to the Flu
Reality: This is true for the traditional seasonal flu, but this year the H1N1 (swine) flu seems to be breaking all the rules. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, seniors seem to be less likely than children and adults under 60 to catch H1N1 and develop complications from it. One theory, confirmed by Anne Gershon, MD, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and a professor at Columbia University in New York, is that older people were previously exposed to a similar strain of flu many years ago, so they have developed some protective antibodies.

That said—we all need to watch out for both types of flu as we head into the fall and winter. So wash your hands often and stay home from work or school if you're sick. And anyone who wants to reduce her risk of seasonal flu should get vaccinated. Learn more about how to protect yourself at CDC.gov/Flu

Common Wisdom: Lean Back to Stop a Nosebleed
Reality: This seems to make sense, since leaning backward means fighting gravity. But Yosef P. Krespi, MD, professor of clinical otolaryngology at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, says that it's a bad idea because you can end up swallowing blood. "Instead, keep head level and pinch nostrils for three to five minutes," he says. "If it doesn't stop, gently insert a cotton ball inside the nostril." If you're still bleeding—or if you're getting frequent nosebleeds—see an ear, nose and throat specialist for help.

Common Wisdom: Eating Eggs Raises Your Cholesterol

Reality: The cholesterol found in food doesn't seem to impact the cholesterol in your bloodstream as much as experts once thought. According to UC Berkeley's Wellness Letter, eating cholesterol-rich foods only raises blood cholesterol in about a third of people. And some studies have shown that eggs in particular help raise HDL ("good" cholesterol), which may counter any effects of raising LDL (the "bad" kind). That doesn't mean you can eat an infinite number of eggs, but even the American Heart Association says an egg a day is perfectly fine.

Worried about your cholesterol numbers? The latest research shows that you should probably be more worried about limiting your intake of saturated and trans fats, since those kinds do seem to have a major impact. Trans fats are already being cut out of many foods, but read labels and be on the lookout for partially hydrogenated oils. You can avoid getting too much saturated fat by eating less meat and dairy (or by choosing lean cuts and lowfat varieties).

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