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Misconceptions in Medicine
- officialjustmed
- Mar 5, 2023
- 4 min read
Medicine is a field that is steeped in tradition and scientific rigor, but even the most careful and dedicated medical professionals can fall prey to misconceptions about the human body and its many intricacies. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the most common misconceptions in medicine, and debunk them one by one!
Misconception #1: The five-second rule applies to dropped food
You've probably heard the old adage that if you drop food on the floor, it's safe to eat as long as you pick it up within five seconds. This is a common misconception that has been debunked by science. The truth is that bacteria can contaminate food as soon as it touches a surface, and the length of time it spends on the floor has little to no effect on its safety. In fact, a study was performed to actually disprove the five-second rule. During a six-week internship in the food science and nutrition department at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Meridith Agle, high school senior Jillian Clarke performed this experiment. Cookies and gummy bears were placed on the floors of the university and scientists still found a large amount of germs on the food before five seconds. Now, some of you may be thinking, “Well, as long as the floor is clean, food should be safe to eat, right?” Nope! In the same study, Clarke cleaned all the floors throughout the university. Afterwards, she swabbed the ground in different locations and some germs still went onto the swab.
Misconception #2: Antibiotics can cure the common cold
Antibiotics are a powerful tool in
the fight against bacterial infections, but they are completely ineffective against viral infections like the common cold. Taking antibiotics for a cold not only won't help, but it can also contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Also, it is important to mention that there is no cure for the common cold. You cannot force it to go away in a day, you have to take care of yourself whenever you are feeling sick. The side effects of antibiotics may bring some harm as well as some of their side effects could be serious, such as giving you allergic reactions or giving you a Clostridium difficile infection (or C. diff).
Misconception #3: Vaccines cause autism
This is perhaps one of the most dangerous misconceptions in
medicine, as it has led some parents to refuse to vaccinate their children. The idea that vaccines cause autism has been thoroughly debunked by multiple studies, and the overwhelming consensus among medical professionals is that vaccines are safe and effective. One such study was conducted by the CDC in 2013. This study focused on the number of antigens, disease-fighting antibodies, given during the first two years of life. The results showed that the total amount of antigen from vaccines were the exact same between children with autism and those without. Once again, there are TONS of other studies proving that vaccines do not cause autism, but that is for you to research on your own time.
Misconception #5: Eating carrots improves your eyesight
Carrots are a nutritious vegetable that are good for your overall health, but they won't necessarily improve your eyesight. This myth likely originated during World War II, when the British government claimed that their pilots had excellent eyesight because they ate lots of carrots. In reality, the pilots' superior eyesight was due to the use of radar technology. Another thought process is that carrots contain a nutrient called beta-carotene, which your body converts to vitamin A which is important for healthy eyesight. However, only a tiny amount is needed in order to maintain good vision. The only way for foods rich in beta-carotene and vitamin A to make an impact on your vision is when your body is deficient in those nutrients.
Misconception #6: Cracking your knuckles causes arthritis
Many people believe that cracking their knuckles can lead to arthritis later in life, but there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. Rather, many studies have shown that the rates of hand arthritis among people who crack their knuckles and people who don’t are relatively the same. Cracking your knuckles may be annoying to those around you, but it does not lead to arthritis. However, it is still a good habit to break as knuckle-cracking can lead to reduced grip strength and other types of injuries.
How can we avoid further misconceptions in medicine?
For some people, it is easy to spot out misconceptions and for others, they could fall for them fairly easily. That’s why we need to make sure the information we learn things from is credible. After all, let’s face it, some of us have probably believed in some of the misconceptions listed above. So, how can we avoid spotting more of these misconceptions? Well, one way is being a healthy skeptic! If something sounds too good to be true or too unbelievable, then it probably is! If someone tells you that a cure for cancer suddenly exists with no further information to back it up, it’s most likely false. Additionally, check the sources you learn this information from. Make sure you are learning information from people who are credible so that it is less likely to be invalid.
In conclusion, it's important to be aware of common misconceptions in medicine so that you can make informed decisions about your health. Always consult a qualified medical professional if you have any questions or concerns about your health or medical treatment. And next time someone tries to convince you that vaccines cause autism or eating carrots improves your vision, you'll know better!
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