[IMG]http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/rsrc/i/1/_/april_false_6_medical_myths_debunked__358115712/4.gif?f=3dcb3160-01dc-11dc-32a2-0019bbc55f7f&s=AewyNia7NTvDvhaDemju5DEsbnVsbCwwLDA *[/IMG] April False: 6 medical myths debunked
In honor of April Fools Day, we?re giving you the realities behind 6 quirky health myths. But these follies and facts are not just meant to make you giggle, some can cut your risk of illness, prevent safety mishaps, and help you avoid being less foolish when it comes to your well being.
Myth: Men who lose their hair have more testosterone than other men and are better lovers.
Reality: The fact that eunuchs never become bald may have spawned this myth. They keep their hair because they lack the male sex hormone that causes male-pattern baldness, the common kind. But that hormone isn't testosterone-it's DHT, a testosterone derivative that causes hair follicles to shut down. Bald men don't have more testosterone than men with more hair; instead, their follicles are genetically more susceptible to the effects of DHT. (Women have small amounts of DHT, which causes hair loss for them, too.) The experts we consulted say there's no evidence linking baldness with sexual potency. Read more bald facts.
Myth: If you don't quit smoking on your first attempt, you may never quit at all.
Reality: It?s easy to throw in the hat after the first failed attempt at quitting smoking. But don?t be discouraged. Some people need a few tries before they can successfully quit?after all, the nicotine in cigarettes is very addictive. And remember that what may have worked for your friends or relatives may not work for you. While some people can stop smoking cold turkey, others may fare better using medication, going to counseling, or doing both. Read more on how to quit smoking (subscribers only).
Myth: Snoring is perfectly normal.
Reality: Snoring is common, especially as we age?but it may be an indicator of some serious health problems. Snoring on a regular basis might make you sleepy during the day and more susceptible to heart disease and type 2 diabetes, according to growing evidence. Loud snoring could be a sign of sleep apnea, a serious condition when left untreated, can lead to high blood pressure and other cardiovascular disease, headaches, impotence, memory problems, and weight gain.

Myth: You can catch head lice from a hats or pillows.
Reality: There's no evidence that you can catch head lice from clothing, headgear, or a pillow. A louse has a firm grip on the hair, and it needs to be near the scalp for food, shelter, warmth and moisture. When head lice do fall off the scalp, they do not survive for long. You may want to wash or clean your clothes and bed linen for peace of mind, but not all experts advise this. In England, for example, doctors do not recommend washing pillows and clothing. Find out how to spot lice.


Myth: Mayonnaise at picnics can easily cause food poisoning.

Reality: That notion stems from the days when people often made mayonnaise and salad dressings from scratch, with raw eggs, which can harbor salmonella bacteria. Commercially prepared products use pasteurized eggs. And the acidity of their vinegar, salt, and citric juice kill some types of bacteria. In fact, a review article published in the Journal of Food Protection in 2000 found no case of food-borne illness linked directly with commercial mayonnaise or dressing. Far more likely to make you sick: unwashed fruits and vegetables and undercooked meats. Read more on how to prevent foodborne illness.
Myth: To remove chiggers or ticks, apply nail polish, oil, alcohol or a burnt match to the pest.
Reality: Home remedies to kill or make bugs "let go" are, at best, ineffective and can even be dangerous. By the time a chigger bite is visible and starts to itch, the bug itself is typically long gone. More worrisome: Applying irritants to an infected tick can cause it to expel more of the virus into your blood. The best way to remove an embedded tick is to grasp it with tweezers close to the skin and slowly but firmly pull it off. Chiggers, or redbugs, are nearly impossible to see, but a thorough scrub in a hot soapy shower will get rid of them. Lotions with anesthetics or itch relievers or creams with 1 percent hydrocortisone can relieve itching. If intense itching persists, try an over-the-counter topical antihistamine containing diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Caladryl and generic). If that doesn't help, oral diphenhydramine (Benedryl Allergy, Genahist and generic) or loratadine (Alavert, Claritin and generic) usually will.
?Ginger Skinner
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