15 health myths that make doctors cringe

You may be squeamish about discussing your stinky farts, genital discharge, or poo problems but that doesn’t mean your doctor is. In fact, failing to bring up “icky” symptoms with your doctor can make it harder to get the right diagnosis and treatment. “As a gastroenterologist, I have to frequently remind my patients that I talk about these ‘gross’ topics all day, every day – I am literally unshockable at this point,” says Roshini Raj, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine and author of What the Yuck, the Freaky and Fabulous Truth About Your Body. “Bottom line: Your doctor needs to hear everything so talk to them.” Find out the 14 things to NEVER lie to your doctor about.

Medically necessary x-rays, like those you get at the hospital or dentist’s office, will not give you cancer or harm you in any other way, says Gary Glassman, DDS., an endodontist. In fact, the chance of the doctor missing something important due to declining an x-ray is a much greater risk to your health than the tiny risk posed by the machines, he adds. “Standing outside in the sun for an hour exposes you to more radiation than you’d get from a full set of dental x-rays,” he explains.

It’s true that your body makes vitamin D, a vital nutrient, when your skin is exposed to the sun. It’s also true that sunscreen blocks the sun’s rays. But these two facts don’t have to be mutually exclusive and they definitely don’t give you a pass on wearing sunscreen, says Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. “Wearing sunscreen is still the best way to prevent deadly skin cancers and new studies have shown that wearing sunscreen does not cause vitamin D deficiency,” she explains. You can get easily get your recommended daily vitamin D dose through food, supplements, and small doses of sunshine. Discover how personalised medicine is bringing hope to people with melanoma.

This is one myth pretty much everyone knows on an intellectual level, yet we’re all likely guilty of going to “Dr. Google” for advice sometimes. “I hate hearing, ‘I read it on the Internet…’ Folks, Dr. Google is a really bad doctor!” says Josie L Tenore, MD, board-certified physician of My Fresh Skin. “While information from reputable sites may have validity, a lot of what’s out there is irrelevant, incomplete, or flat-out false.” You can use online info to start a conversation with your doctor but don’t use it as an authoritative source. Just don’t pretend you didn’t get it off the Internet.

Trying to have a little one? The majority of people believe that they should have sex the day the woman is ovulating or shortly thereafter to maximise their chances of conceiving, says Mary Jane Minkin, MD, OB/GYN and First Response spokesperson. In reality, the best time to have sex is just before ovulation, she explains. Also, forget about the special “baby making” sex positions – any position works for conception, she adds. Find out the 6 nutrition strategies for a stronger sex drive.

Cardiovascular exercise is great for your heart, lungs, and overall health but it’s not the magic bullet when it comes to weight loss and too much of it can even hinder your scale goals, Tenore says. “For all of you people out there spending 60 to 90 minutes on the treadmill every day, thinking you are burning fat, I’m sorry to say you are mistaken,” she says. “To lose weight and keep it off you need to build more muscle because the more muscle you have, the higher your basal metabolic rate.” Make sure that strength training is an integral part of your exercise routine. Can’t get started? Click here to find out how to bust exercise excuses.

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Source: RD.com