This is something near and dear to my heart, by way of my profession. I'm always amazed by the stories that circulate when it comes to our health, that people will believe at face value, without investigating further. And the best part is when they tell it as though they are an expert on the subject. However, when you press further and ask for references, they stutter and stammer, and try to remember if it was in the Farmer's Almanac, or in their Aunt Ruth's biography.
Anyway, let's share some of the medical urban legends that you have heard.
Here is one of my favourites.
When my daughter was in grade 4, she came home one afternoon and said "Daddy, guess what I learned in school today. Your blood is blue, until it mixes with oxygen, and then it turns red."
"Who told you that?" I asked, trying to hide my shock.
"My teacher." she replied.
You can imagine my amazement and shock. Here was a person that children look up to, who is supposed to "teach" them, and provide them with facts, and this person was spreading misinformation.
So, I sat my daughter down, pulled out the medical books, and proved to her that human blood is not blue, and that it comes in two shades of red... bright red and dark red.
The next day she went to school, and in the middle of class, put up her hand. When the teacher called on her, she proudly announced "My dad said you are wrong, blood is not blue, it's red"
The teacher was a little red faced and apologetic at the next parent-teacher interview
That's my girl
The funny thing is, I recall hearing this same thing, and believing it when I was a youngster.
So, what medical stories have you heard that are generally accepted but are in fact, false?
This post has been edited by Justa: May 16 2007, 07:04 PM
Medical Myths and Urban Legends
May 16 2007, 07:02 PM
Hair and nails keep "growing" even after you die 
