Find whatyou need!Don’t be fooled by medicalmyths again! Get access to thelatest health headlines andreview tips for staying healthyat www.<strong>The</strong><strong>Christ</strong><strong>Hospital</strong>.com. Click on “Health A-Z” tolearn about everything fromabdominal pain to X-rays.medical misconceptionsWhat you don’t know can hurt youMedical misconceptions, old wives’ tales, fear of the unknown—no matter what you call it, this way of thinking preventssome people from getting the medical care they need. Maybeyou’re suffering needlessly because of a widely held beliefabout your ailment, not realizing old treatments have been improved upon.Here are seven common misconceptions or fears that should be put to rest:© 2009 Veer Images18Women’s Health Today
© 2009 Jupiterimages1234Treat back pain with bed rest. Bed rest is no longerrecommended for treating back pain. Expertsagree that you should stay active and take overthe-counterpain relievers such as acetaminophen(Tylenol) or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory(aspirin, Motrin, Aleve) as needed. In mostpeople, lower back pain goes away inabout a month. For severe pain orback pain that lasts longer, seeyour healthcare provider.A bland diet is the best way totreat an ulcer. Are you self-treatinga gastric ulcer by sipping on cream ormilk or eating a bland diet? That’s no way to managethe problem. Ulcers are most often caused byHelicobacter pylori, a type of bacteria that lives andreproduces in the stomach’s lining and the smallintestines, causing inflammation. Ulcers may bestbe healed with an antibiotic to kill the bacteria anddrugs such as acid blockers, antacids or protonpump inhibitors to reduce your digestive system’sacid level.A degenerative disk in the neck is best treated withspinal fusion surgery. Spinal fusion used to bethe standard operation to correct a diseaseddisk in the cervical spine, or neck. But spinalfusion leaves you unable to bend your necknormally after surgery. That’s because the surgeonremoves the damaged disk, and then fusestogether the surrounding vertebrae using bonegrafts and metal plates with screws attached.Fusion corrects the disk problem but raisesthe risk of damage to neighboring spine segments.New disks allow for more natural neck movement,which reduces the risk of damage to surroundingdisks. Talk with your physician to find out ifyou’re a candidate for this newer technology.Exercise isn’t safe for someone in my condition.Exercise is good for almost everyone, no matterhow old you are or what shape you’re in—evenif you have a chronic condition such as highblood pressure, arthritis or diabetes.In fact, exercise may improve yourcondition. Talk to your healthcareprovider for help finding567exercises that are right for you. Start slowly andbuild up to at least 30 to 60 minutes of exercise, fivedays a week, or as your provider recommends.Incontinence can’t be treated. Though bladdercontrol may be embarrassing to talk about, youdon’t have to suffer in silence. Incontinenceisn’t a normal part of aging and can be treated—even cured. Weak or overactive bladder muscles,an enlarged prostate, multiple sclerosis,Parkinson’s disease and arthritis can all causelong-term bladder control problems.Your healthcare provider can recommendtreatment based on the type of incontinence youhave and its severity. Treatment options includeKegel exercises to strengthen pelvic muscles, bladdertraining (scheduled urination) and medicine. Ifyour incontinence is more severe, surgery can help.Getting the blues is normal at my age. Occasionallyfeeling blue is one thing. But a loss of interest inpeople or activities that lasts more than two weeksis a sign of depression, which can strike at anyage. Other symptoms of depression may includefatigue or lethargy, prolonged or excessive worries,weight changes, new aches and pains andfeeling hopeless and worthless. If you’re experiencingany of these changes or feelings, don’taccept them as “normal.” Talk with your healthcareprovider. Counseling and medication may beneeded to get you back on a brighter path.I’ve smoked for so long, quitting won’t do me anygood. Quit smoking right now and in 20 minutesor less, your blood pressure and heart ratewill start to go down—no matter how manyyears you’ve been puffing away. Within a fewhours, carbon monoxide will leave your bloodstream.Keep it up and within two weeks tothree months you may be breathing easier—even if you already have mild to moderatechronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).By the end of your first year, your excess risk ofheart disease is cut by almost half; your stroke,lung disease and cancer risks are alsoreduced. Ask your healthcare providerabout the best way for you tokick the habit. WHTwww.womenshealthexperience.com 19
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