When it comes to your health and well-being, what you don’t know can very much hurt you. Indeed diseases, infections, and other dangerous conditions present a more-or-less constant risk for individuals, and unless you take the time to educate yourself about serious health issues, you could inadvertently put yourself in an adverse situation. Of course, some health and healthcare myths are graver than others. That’s why we’re going to focus on five of the most dangerous, yet very common, misconceptions regarding health and healthcare in 2019. Check them out here:
Vaping is a Safe Alternative to Smoking
Here’s the good news: vaping is better for you than traditional smoking. However, that’s not to say that e-cigarettes are good for you, safe to use, or non-addictive. In reality, none of those things are true. E-cigarettes still contain nicotine, and it’s speculated that they can also contribute to lung diseases just like regular cigarettes. What’s more, chewing tobacco and other alternatives to cigarettes aren’t safe to use either. If you’re looking for a new fad to piggyback on, you’re much better off trying CBD oil, for instance.
Mental Health Isn’t Important
There are still lots of high-profile groups who openly question psychologists and the field of psychology. Yet, the truth remains that mental health is a massive, serious concern for many people. And if you’re feeling anxious, depressed, or even overly stressed, you shouldn’t hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional near you. Issues like suicide are particularly pertinent for young people. Though stigmas around certain mental issues –– such as bipolar disorder –– have lessened with time, sadly many still dismiss mental-health issues unjustly.
STDs are Rare
It’s understandable that most people would probably prefer to never speak about STDs again if they could. STDs are simply gross and off-putting. Delicate sensibilities aside, though, STDs are also extremely common. Millions of Americans contract STDs every year, and millions more do so without even realizing it. That’s right; the majority of STDs can remain asymptomatic for long periods of time. What’s worse, when symptoms do manifest, they often appear similar to other, more innocuous conditions.
Vaccines Cause Autism
So many words, blog posts, and websites have already been devoted to vaccines and their value/perceived danger that it seems futile to write anything about it now. Still, we’re going to give it a try. According to virtually every credible report from the medical community, there is no link between vaccines and autism. In fact, vaccines don’t have anything to do with what causes autism. Moreover, skipping vaccines –– especially ones for children –– is a dangerous practice in and of itself that could expose young people to diseases that can cause everything from infertility to death in extreme circumstances.
Visits to the Doctor Are Detrimental to Health
For some reason, young individuals have decided to forgo regular visits to the doctor’s office. True, doctors’ offices can be intimidating places; doctors also have to deliver bad news from time to time. However, the truth is that doctors use sophisticated medical equipment like micropipette tips and stethoscopes to ensure that their patients are as happy and healthy as possible. There is no good reason to skip regular check-ups. So even if you’re “feeling fine,” go see your doctor anyway. They’ll be able to help you stay in tip-top condition!
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, no one should take big chances with their health and wellness. That’s why it’s crucial to stay educated and to understand the best ways for dealing with difficult medical choices. Keep these tips in mind the next time you hear disinformation and, above all else, seek the advice of a medical professional if you’re ever unsure how to proceed.
