There is so much you get to hear about health on a daily basis that sometimes it can be overwhelming to actually realize what is fact and what is just a myth doing the rounds as fact. As you grow older, your body goes through a lot of changes that are inevitable, and many of them can also increase your risk of certain health conditions.
While it is true that you cannot take over complete control of your health, it is true that you can definitely understand the facts and work towards keeping yourself and your loved ones healthy. Here are some of the most common health myths that are mistakenly believed to be true, but that you can work on and keep yourself protected.
Myth 1: You Cannot Prevent Cancer
Truth – It Is Possible To Prevent Cancer
Did you know that a large number of deaths that happen as a result of cancer are due to various unhealthy lifestyle choices that the patient has? In addition, there are various environmental and social reasons too that lead to the same. Some very common unhealthy lifestyle habits that increase a person’s risk of cancer include smoking, whether active or passive, poor eating habits and unhealthy food choices, less amount of sleep, lack of exercise and so on. These unhealthy lifestyle habits are one of the biggest reasons for cancers that are related to the skin, colon and lung.
What You Can Do: Reduce or quit smoking and drinking, inform your doctor if you know of anyone in your family, even distant family, has had cancer, wear sunscreen and keep yourself protected in the sun, eat fresh foods and improve your sleeping hours. Also, irrespective of whether you are a man or a woman, perform regular home examinations to check for breast cancer.
Myth 2: You Cannot Reduce Risk Of Diabetes
Truth: It Is Possible To Reduce Risk Of Diabetes
Most people feel that diabetes only happens to those who have a family history of it, or to those who eat a lot of sweet foods. While eating too much of sweet based foods is not good for your overall health, it is not the cause for diabetes. In fact, diabetes is also a result of unhealthy lifestyle habits and starting to live healthy can significantly reduce your risk for the same.
What You Can Do: Make sure you drink at least 2 to 4 liters of water a day, and reduce or cut down your sugar consumption. Exercising is a very good way to avoid diabetes and eating fresh fruits and vegetables can also keep you protected.
Myth 3: Grown Ups Don’t Need Vaccines
Truth: Grown Ups Need Vaccines
Now that you are grown up, you probably feel you are through with any type of vaccines, but in reality there are certain vaccinations that can keep you protected, especially if you plan to travel. Getting the right vaccination at the right time will help prevent the occurrence of any health condition in the future.
What You Can Do: Check with your doctor about vaccinations for influenza, hepatitis A and B, MMR, Varicella and more.
Myth 4: STD Will Always Have Symptoms
Truth: STDs Do Not Always Have Symptoms
Many people feel they are safe from any type of sexually transmitted disease because they do not have any telling signs. In reality, it takes a lot of time for any symptoms of STDs to show up, and by the time they do, it is often too late to do anything about it. In most cases, by the time the STD symptoms are apparent and diagnosed, there is already damage done to the organs.
What You Can Do: Use protection when you indulge in sexual activity and have sexual contact with one partner. Speak to your doctor if you have indulged in sex with multiple partners, at the same time or separately, and inform about any changes in health, no matter how inconsequential. Get yourself tested at least every 6 months.
