July 22, 2008
By JANE E. BRODY
In 45 years of writing about medicine and health, I’ve heard more than my share of myths and misinformation, from the merely nonsensical to the downright dangerous. And until I explored the evidence, I too occasionally fell for a “fact” that turned out to be less than met the eye.
Lately a number of medical writers have taken on these commonplaces and old wives’ tales.
Last year, Anahad O’Connor, who does so every week in his “Really?” column for Science Times, published “Never Shower in a Thunderstorm: Surprising Facts and Misleading Myths About Our Health and the World We Live In” (Times Books).
Now, Dr. Nancy L. Snyderman, a surgical oncologist at the University of Pennsylvania and a medical correspondent for NBC News, has a new book, “Medical Myths That Can Kill You — And the 101 Truths That Will Save, Extend, and Improve Your Life” (Crown).
The following myths owe something to both authors, and also to my own research. How well informed are you?
DRINK EIGHT GLASSES OF WATER A DAY I had long believed that eight glasses of plain water or caffeine-free beverages a day were important to keep the body hydrated and to prevent constipation. Perhaps the toilet paper manufacturers were behind this notion. Researchers have been unable to find scientific support for it.
The Institute of Medicine recently noted that you can meet your body’s need for liquids in many ways, including drinking coffee and tea (with or without caffeine) and eating fruits and vegetables with a high water content. Two clues that you may need to drink more are thirst and the color of your urine, which should be clear like, well, water.
If you are physically very active, especially in hot weather, repeatedly sipping cold water is helpful. But beyond two quarts, you may need to also replace the salts lost in sweat — for example, by drinking a diluted sports drink or eating foods with salt and potassium.
POISON IVY IS CONTAGIOUS The rash of poison ivy cannot be spread from person to person or even to another part of the body unless the plant’s resin is still on your hands or clothes. The rash, a contact dermatitis, may seem to spread because it often develops sequentially, depending on when and where the skin was exposed. Scratching does not spread the rash but can prolong it and cause an infection.
Over-the-counter anti-itch lotions and creams are not helpful, and those containing an antihistamine, like Benadryl, may complicate matters by causing an allergic reaction. The rash is best treated with a steroid, topically with hydrocortisone or, in more severe cases, orally with prednisone. Apply a cool wet wash cloth to oozing blisters to speed drying.
Mango skin contains a less potent form of urushiol, the allergen in poison ivy, and you can develop a rash around the mouth if you eat the flesh off the rind.
Those who think they are immune to poison ivy should know that sensitivity develops through repeated exposure.
USE COTTON SWABS TO CLEAN YOUR EARS Bellybuttons, perhaps, but not ears. My son wishes he had known this years ago, before his 2-year-old son copied his dad and punctured his eardrum with a Q-tip. The hole was so big it needed surgical repair.
Dr. Snyderman points out that a cotton swab can push wax farther into the ear, causing impaction and diminished hearing. I’ve long supported the medical adage: Put nothing smaller than an elbow in your ear. If accumulated wax is a problem, try ear wax softening drops or have your ears professionally cleaned now and then.
DON’T SWIM AFTER EATING My parents repeatedly warned us to wait an hour after a meal. It might have been good advice if I was planning to race, swim a long distance or battle a stiff current. Strenuous exercise on a full stomach is never a good idea, because it can result in stomach or muscle cramps. But experts find no harm in a gentle plunge or casual play in the water (pool or ocean) soon after eating.
What can be hazardous is swimming after drinking alcohol, because it can impair judgment and encourage undue risk-taking.
SHAVING MAKES HAIR GROW BACK FASTER AND COARSER This myth persists even though a study conducted 80 years ago disproved it. Hair that is shaved is dead, and shaving has no effect on the speed of regrowth, which comes from the living hair follicles below the skin’s surface. The new growth may appear darker since it hasn’t been exposed to the sun or chemicals for very long. Also, it may seem coarser since the ends have not been tapered by wear and tear.
COLON CLEANSING WASHES OUT POISONS Colonics, as the practice is called, has no known medical value and risks damage to the rectum or bowel. The bowel is not “dirty” and, unless disease or medication interfere, nature does a fine job of clearing out wastes. If you are concerned about unwholesome substances in your body, drink lots of water to help your body get rid of them.
NATURAL IS SAFER THAN MAN-MADE A woman recently asked me if it was safe to take “bioidentical hormone replacements.” These, I’m afraid, are estrogens, and there is no reliable evidence to support claims that they are safer than the ones made by chemists that have been linked to an increased risk of cancer and heart disease.
Remember, nature has produced some of the most dangerous substances known, including arsenic and botulinum toxin. And chemists have produced medications that can control or cure many life-threatening ills. Many important medications are derived from natural substances that not only have druglike actions but also druglike side effects.
Only carefully controlled clinical trials can assure the safety of a natural or man-made drug, and few natural substances have been tested in this way.
TAKE PAINKILLERS ONLY FOR SERIOUS PAIN In a doctor’s waiting room the other day, a woman sat groaning for an hour and a half before she finally asked the nurse for an over-the-counter pain pill to relieve her headache. Although many people see pills as the answer to every ill, others avoid medications at all costs, much to their disadvantage.
Pain medication works best if taken at the first hint of pain, and may not work well at all if you wait too long. Dr. Snyderman says to consider taking it before engaging in an activity, like heavy-duty gardening or chopping wood, that is likely to cause pain later. Before I had my arthritic knees replaced, I downed two ibuprofen tablets before every tennis match.
For the third (or fourth?) year we held Granny's traditional Christmas Eve breakfast at Melissa's ward building. The Fords did all the set up and much of the clean up. We had a good turn out. As usual I bought too much stuff for pancakes and we came home with a ton of buttermilk. LaRue and Louise turn 78 years old in February. None of Louise's children or grandchildren came, but all of LaRue's came except for Julie (She lives in Chicago.). Laurel and Kim and their children and grandchildren were there; Janet and her daughter Lisa and grandson Jesse came. (Jason lives in Seattle.) Fred and Andrean were in Florida with Jackson. Bill was sick, but Kandace came with all her children and grandchildren (a first).
We had eleven grandchildren overnight for a Christmas slumber party. We toured the neighborhood in the back of the truck to see the lights, we played basketball and other games at the church, we had a great dinner, Christmas stories and a Christmas movie. Santa came for a visit. The grandchildren went to sleep way too late, making for miserable children during the rest of the holidays, I think.
We took this photo to send to the McConkies who are in South Carolina for 3 years serving a mission. We've been meeting together monthly for 12 year or so with this group. On Friday we met at our house for dinner and some gospel study.
We spent conference weekend in Indianapolis with Brian and Natalie. We flew to Chicago and stayed in Brian's apartment for a night. He brought bikes for us to ride along Lake Michigan, which we did and enjoyed. We took a canal tour through the skyscrapers, and then drove to Indianpolis for the weekend.
Bob Short is my first high school friend to turn 60 years old. Somehow we have kept in touch for the past 50 years.
When Melissa was born 3X years ago it changed our lives forever (better). She has brought us much joy, and we love her with all our hearts.
I went with Andrew, Ashley, Elizabeth and Katelyn on the cog wheel train to the summit of Pikes Peak. There was snow and it was a long train ride for the little ones. I enjoyed the views.
I served as the quartermaster for district 25 at the scout jamboral. Thomas and Michael came for Friday evening. Our ward's boy scouts were selected to eat breakfast with the general authority celebrities.
Ian Barrett, our neighbor next to Seagers, was baptized last night. His mom, Kathy, was baptized a couple of years ago, but he has resisted. A week ago he decided to attend our ward services and the catholic church and afterwards decided to be baptized.
My neighbor and golfing friend, Ray Goodson, hit a hole-in-one on number 16 of the Gold Course at Soldier Hollow. We know this hole well since we tube down this golf course in the winter. With the hole-in-one he won a Porshe SUV worth $55,000. This is the first hole-in-one I ever witnessed.
At the top of the mountain we toured the cave. The cave was the highlight for a few grandchildren.
We hiked to the falls at Hanging Lake and had ample photo opportunities. 
We rode the tram to the top of the mountain and then some were able to ride the mountain coaster and zip line.
Paula enjoyed hugging her grandchildren.
Natalie arrived a week before Brian. They have pretty much stayed around our home - it's taken Greta a while to adjust to the new surroundings.
Greta looks and sounds a lot like Elsa. She is the girl of many faces and she will stick out her tongue at me if I stick out my tongue at her.
Greg Seal surprized Suzanne for her 60th birthday. Grandma is standing with Valerie Lindley, Lynne Buckner and Suzanne.
We had a fun party to celebrate Will's 5th birthday. Mindy brought a blow-up water slide and we had pizza and cake. Will said he is getting old - he needs a cane now. Will has a sense of humor. He's still working on the camera smile.
We enjoyed the Christensen children while Mindy and Coray were in Chicago for Linda Christensen's 60th birthday party. Doug Christensen was hospitalized so Linda and Doug missed the party. Mindy's flight to Chicago was delayed and she spent a night in Atlanta. She spent an extra day in Chicago because her flight back to SLC was canceled. Abby, Will and Jonathan made the channel 13 news on Saturday while we were at the This is the Place Heritage Park.
