Read Don't Cross Your Eyes...They'll Get Stuck That Way!: And 75 Other Health Myths Debunked Online
Authors: Aaron E. Carroll
Nelson, S. “How to Prevent Cancer.”
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Celery has negative calories
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“Does Chewing Celery Consume More Calories than It Provides.”
StraightDope.com
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“Myth or Fact: Celery Has Negative Calories.”
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http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/myth-or-fact-celery-has-negative-calories.html
. (Accessed 10/6/10.)
Cell phones cause brain tumors
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Betts, K. S. “Electromagnetic Fields: Conference, Hearing Call Up Cell Phone Use.”
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Hardell, L., and M. Carlberg. “Mobile Phones, Cordless Phones and the Risk for Brain Tumours.”
Int J Oncol
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Hardell, L., M. Carlberg, and K. Hansson Mild. “Use of Cellular Telephones and Brain Tumour Risk in Urban and Rural Areas.”
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Hepworth, S. J., M. J. Schoemaker, K. R. Muir, A. J. Swerdlow, M. J. van Tongeren, and P. A. McKinney. “Mobile Phone Use and Risk of Glioma in Adults: Case-Control Study.”
BMJ
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Kundi, M. “The Controversy About a Possible Relationship Between Mobile Phone Use and Cancer.”
Environ Health Perspect
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Mead, M. N. “Strong Signal for Cell Phone Effects.”
Environ Health Perspect
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Myung, S. K., W. Ju, D. D. McDonnell, Y. J. Lee, G. Kazinets, C. T. Cheng, and J. M. Moskowitz. “Mobile Phone Use and Risk of Tumors: A Meta-Analysis.”
J Clin Oncol
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Soller, K. “Kids, Put Down Your Cell Phones!”
Newsweek
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Takebayashi, T., N. Varsier, Y. Kikuchi, K. Wake, M. Taki, S. Watanabe, S. Akiba, and N. Yamaguchi. “Mobile Phone Use, Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field, and Brain Tumour: A Case-Control Study.”
Br J Cancer
98, no. 3 (2008): 652–9.
Thun, M. J. “Jury Still Out on Cell Phone-Cancer Connection.”
Cancer
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Cheese makes you constipated
Anthoni, S., E. Savilahti, H. Rautelin, and K. L. Kolho. “Milk Protein Igg and Iga: The Association with Milk-Induced Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Adults.”
World J Gastroenterol
15, no. 39 (2009): 4915–8.
“Constipation.” National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC),
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. (Accessed 6/18/10.)
Corkins, M. R. “Are Diet and Constipation Related in Children?”
Nutr Clin Pract
20, no. 5 (2005): 536–9.
“Foods That Cause Constipation.” Colon Cleansing & Constipation Resource Center,
http://www.fairyshare.com/watch-d418daca26b74d750#
.
Greene, A. “Milk and Constipation.”
DrGreene.com
,
http://www.fairyshare.com/watch-d418daca26b74d750#
. (Accessed 6/19/10.)
Sandler, R. S., M. C. Jordan, and B. J. Shelton. “Demographic and Dietary Determinants of Constipation in the US Population.”
Am J Public Health
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I have just the thing for that cold … Chicken Soup—TRUE
Hopkins, A. B. “Chicken Soup Cure May Not Be a Myth.”
Nurse Pract
28, no. 6 (2003): 16.
Ohry, A., and J. Tsafrir. “Is Chicken Soup an Essential Drug?”
CMAJ
161, no. 12 (1999): 1532–3.
Rennard, B. O., R. F. Ertl, G. L. Gossman, R. A. Robbins, and S. I. Rennard. “Chicken Soup Inhibits Neutrophil Chemotaxis in Vitro.”
Chest
118, no. 4 (2000): 1150–7.
Saketkhoo, K., A. Januszkiewicz, and M. A. Sackner. “Effects of Drinking Hot Water, Cold Water, and Chicken Soup on Nasal Mucus Velocity and Nasal Airflow Resistance.”
Chest
74, no. 4 (1978): 408–10.
Chocolate or fried foods cause acne
“Acne Myths.” AcneNet,
http://www.skincarephysicians.com/acnenet/myths.html
. (Accessed 6/24/10.)
Davidovici, B. B., and R. Wolf. “The Role of Diet in Acne: Facts and Controversies.”
Clin Dermatol
28, no. 1 (2010): 12–6.
El-Akawi, Z., N. Abdel-Latif Nemr, K. Abdul-Razzak, and M. Al-Aboosi. “Factors Believed by Jordanian Acne Patients to Affect Their Acne Condition.”
East Mediterr Health J
12, no. 6 (2006): 840–6.
Ferdowsian, H. R., and S. Levin. “Does Diet Really Affect Acne?”
Skin Therapy Lett
15, no. 3 (2010): 1–2, 5.
Magin, P., D. Pond, W. Smith, and A. Watson. “A Systematic Review of the Evidence for ‘Myths and Misconceptions’ in Acne Management: Diet, Face-Washing and Sunlight.”
Fam Pract
22, no. 1 (2005): 62–70.
Wolf, R., H. Matz, and E. Orion. “Acne and Diet.”
Clin Dermatol
22, no. 5 (2004): 387–93.
Cold weather (and being underdressed for cold weather) will make you sick
Brenner, I. K., J. W. Castellani, C. Gabaree, A. J. Young, J. Zamecnik, R. J. Shephard, and P. N. Shek. “Immune Changes in Humans During Cold Exposure: Effects of Prior Heating and Exercise.”
J Appl Physiol
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Douglas, R. G., Jr. “Pathogenesis of Rhinovirus Common Colds in Human Voluteers.”
Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol
79, no. 3 (1970): 563–71.
Eccles, R. “An Explanation for the Seasonality of Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Viral Infections.”
Acta Otolaryngol
122, no. 2 (2002): 183–91.
Lee, G. M., J. F. Friedman, D. Ross-Degnan, P. L. Hibberd, and D. A. Goldmann. “Misconceptions About Colds and Predictors of Health Service Utilization.”
Pediatrics
111, no. 2 (2003): 231–6.
Lowen, A. C., S. Mubareka, J. Steel, and P. Palese. “Influenza Virus Transmission Is Dependent on Relative Humidity and Temperature.”
PLoS Pathog
3, no. 10 (2007): 1470–6.
Melone, L. “Can the Cold Give You a Cold?”
EverydayHealth.com
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Mirkin, G. “Catch a Cold.”
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.
O’Connor, A. “The Claim: You Lose Most of Your Body Heat through Your Head.”
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Pretorius, T., G. K. Bristow, A. M. Steinman, and G. G. Giesbrecht. “Thermal Effects of Whole Head Submersion in Cold Water on Nonshivering Humans.”
J Appl Physiol
101, no. 2 (2006): 669–75.
Proud, D. “Upper Airway Viral Infections.”
Pulm Pharmacol Ther
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“U.S. Army Survival Manual: FM 21–76.” In
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Wimer, G. S. “Wearing a Cap, Thermoregulation, and Thermal Sensation During Running in a Hot Environment.”
J Sports Med Phys Fitness
49, no. 3 (2009): 272–7.
Zuger, A. “You’ll Catch Your Death!’ An Old Wives’ Tale? Well…”
NYTimes.com
(2010),
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/04/science/you-ll-catch-your-death-an-old-wives-tale-well.html
. (Accessed 10/7/10.)
I have just the thing for that cold … Over-the-Counter Cough and Cold Medicines
Arroll, B. “Non-Antibiotic Treatments for Upper-Respiratory Tract Infections (Common Cold).”
Respir Med
99, no. 12 (2005): 1477–84.
Bell, E. A., and D. E. Tunkel. “Over-the-Counter Cough and Cold Medications in Children: Are They Helpful?”
Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg
142, no. 5 (2010): 647–50.
Bhatt-Mehta, V. “Over-the-Counter Cough and Cold Medicines: Should Parents Be Using Them for Their Children?”
Ann Pharmacother
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Chang, A. B., L. I. Landau, P. P. Van Asperen, N. J. Glasgow, C. F. Robertson, J. M. Marchant, and C. M. Mellis. “Cough in Children: Definitions and Clinical Evaluation.”
Med J Aust
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Chang, A. B., J. Peake, and M. S. McElrea. “Anti-Histamines for Prolonged Non-Specific Cough in Children.”
Cochrane Database Syst Rev
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“FDA Statement Following CHPA’s Announcement on Nonprescription Over-the-Counter Cough and Cold Medicines in Children.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 2008.
“Infant Deaths Associated with Cough and Cold Medications—Two States, 2005.”
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep
56, no. 1 (2007): 1–4.
Johnson, G., and C. Helman. “Remedy or Cure? Lay Beliefs About Over-the-Counter Medicines for Coughs and Colds.”
Br J Gen Pract
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“Nonprescription Cough and Cold Medicine Use in Children.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 2007.
Sharfstein, J. M., M. North, and J. R. Serwint. “Over the Counter but No Longer Under the Radar—Pediatric Cough and Cold Medications.”
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Simasek, M., and D. A. Blandino. “Treatment of the Common Cold.”
Am Fam Physician
75, no. 4 (2007): 515–20.
Smith, S. M., K. Schroeder, and T. Fahey. “Over-the-Counter Medications for Acute Cough in Children and Adults in Ambulatory Settings.”
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“Use of Codeine- and Dextromethorphan-Containing Cough Remedies in Children.” American Academy of Pediatrics. Committee on Drugs.
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Cool mist will help your child’s croup
Bourchier, D., K. P. Dawson, and D. M. Fergusson. “Humidification in Viral Croup: A Controlled Trial.”
Aust Paediatr J
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Henry, R. “Moist Air in the Treatment of Laryngotracheitis.”
Arch Dis Child
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Lenney, W., and A. D. Milner. “Treatment of Acute Viral Croup.”
Arch Dis Child
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Moore, M., and P. Little. “Humidified Air Inhalation for Treating Croup: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.”
Family Practice
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Neto, G. M., O. Kentab, T. P. Klassen, and M. H. Osmond. “A Randomized Controlled Trial of Mist in the Acute Treatment of Moderate Croup.”
Acad EmergMed
9, no. 9 (2002): 873–79.
Scolnik, D., A. L. Coates, D. Stephens, Z. Da Silva, E. Lavine, and S. Schuh. “Controlled Delivery of High vs Low Humidity vs Mist Therapy for Croup in Emergency Departments: A Randomized Controlled Trial.”
JAMA
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Skolnik, Neil S. “Treatment of Croup: A Critical Review.”
Am J Dis Child
143, no. 9 (1989): 1045–49.
Wolfsdorf, J., and D. L. Swift. “An Animal Model Simulating Acute Infective Upper Airway Obstruction of Childhood and Its Use in the Investigation of Croup Therapy.”
Pediatr Res
12, no. 11 (1978): 1062–5.
If you are sick, you should stay away from dairy products (milk makes you phelgmy)
Arney, W. K., and C. B. Pinnock. “The Milk Mucus Belief: Sensations Associated with the Belief and Characteristics of Believers.”
Appetite
20, no. 1 (1993): 53–60.
Bartley, J., and S. R. McGlashan. “Does Milk Increase Mucus Production?”
Med Hypotheses
74, no. 4 (2010): 732–4.
Haas, F., M. C. Bishop, J. Salazar-Schicchi, K. V. Axen, D. Lieberman, and K. Axen. “Effect of Milk Ingestion on Pulmonary Function in Healthy and Asthmatic Subjects.”
J Asthma
28, no. 5 (1991): 349–55.
Lee, C., and A. J. Dozor. “Do You Believe Milk Makes Mucus?”
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med
158, no. 6 (2004): 601–3.
Nguyen, M. T. “Effect of Cow Milk on Pulmonary Function in Atopic Asthmatic Patients.”
Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol
79, no. 1 (1997): 62–4.
O’Connor, A. “The Claim: Milk Makes You Phlegmy.”
New York Times
, 12 April 2010.
Pinnock, C. B., and W. K. Arney. “The Milk-Mucus Belief: Sensory Analysis Comparing Cow’s Milk and a Soy Placebo.”
Appetite
20, no. 1 (1993): 61–70.
Pinnock, C. B., N. M. Graham, A. Mylvaganam, and R. M. Douglas. “Relationship Between Milk Intake and Mucus Production in Adult Volunteers Challenged with Rhinovirus-2.”
Am Rev Respir Dis
141, no. 2 (1990): 352–6.
Spock, B.
Spock’s Baby and Child Care
. New York: Pocket Books, 1998.
Woods, R. K., J. M. Weiner, M. Abramson, F. Thien, and E. H. Walters. “Do Dairy Products Induce Bronchoconstriction in Adults with Asthma?”
J Allergy Clin Immunol
101, no. 1 Pt 1 (1998): 45–50.
Wuthrich, B., A. Schmid, B. Walther, and R. Sieber. “Milk Consumption Does Not Lead to Mucus Production or Occurrence of Asthma.”
J Am Coll Nutr
24, no. 6 Suppl (2005): 547S–55S.
Kids in day care catch more colds
Collet, J. P., P. Burtin, and D. Floret. “Infectious Risk in Day-Nursery Children.”
Rev Prat
42, no. 14 (1992): 1797–803.