Some things are too disgusting to discuss with your doctor
You may be squeamish about discussing your stinky farts, genital discharge, or poo problems but that doesn’t mean your doctor is. In fact, failing to bring up “icky” symptoms with your doctor can make it harder to get the right diagnosis and treatment. “As a gastroenterologist, I have to frequently remind my patients that I talk about these ‘gross’ topics all day, every day – I am literally unshockable at this point,” says Roshini Raj, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine and author of What the Yuck, the Freaky and Fabulous Truth About Your Body. “Bottom line: Your doctor needs to hear everything so talk to them.” Find out the 14 things to NEVER lie to your doctor about.
Medical x-rays will give you cancer
Medically necessary x-rays, like those you get at the hospital or dentist’s office, will not give you cancer or harm you in any other way, says Gary Glassman, DDS., an endodontist. In fact, the chance of the doctor missing something important due to declining an x-ray is a much greater risk to your health than the tiny risk posed by the machines, he adds. “Standing outside in the sun for an hour exposes you to more radiation than you’d get from a full set of dental x-rays,” he explains.
Wearing sunscreen will make you deficient in vitamin D
It’s true that your body makes vitamin D, a vital nutrient, when your skin is exposed to the sun. It’s also true that sunscreen blocks the sun’s rays. But these two facts don’t have to be mutually exclusive and they definitely don’t give you a pass on wearing sunscreen, says Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. “Wearing sunscreen is still the best way to prevent deadly skin cancers and new studies have shown that wearing sunscreen does not cause vitamin D deficiency,” she explains. You can get easily get your recommended daily vitamin D dose through food, supplements, and small doses of sunshine. Discover how personalised medicine is bringing hope to people with melanoma.