Category Archives: Common Myths

All, Common Myths, Women's Health

Can Cranberry Juice Stop a UTI?

1 Comment

Image result for cranberry juice

Photo from Organic Facts

Vandana Dubakula

Around 65% of women will experience a urinary tract infection (UTI) in their lifetime. There are many myths about what will alleviate UTI symptoms or get rid of the UTI all together. At the top of this list is cranberry juice, which many women claim cured their UTI. Clinical studies however,  offer conflicting results on the effectiveness of cranberry juice.

UTI’s are caused by bacteria such as E.coli. They can affect the urinary system including kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The infection usually starts in the lower urinary tract (urethra and bladder) and causes symptoms such as a burning sensation during urination, frequent urge to urinate, and cloudy or strange-smelling urine. The real danger, however, is with untreated UTIs which can affect the kidneys and lead to kidney damage or–in very severe instances– infections spread through the blood. UTI’s tend to affect women more than men due to their anatomy.

Cranberries come into play through an active ingredient—A-type proanthocyanidins (PACs)—that can keep bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall. Since cranberry juice also increases urination, it might wash bacteria out of the bladder which might reduce the pain and burning associated with UTIs. However, the active ingredient usually does not stay long enough in the bladder to cure the infection. Thus, cranberries can help with the symptoms of a UTI but should not be depended upon to cure it.

Moreover, cranberry juice  has low concentrations of A-type proanthocyanidins (PACs), so it takes large amounts of juice to have an effect.  A major drawback is that cranberry juice contains substantial sugar. Even cranberry juice with no added sugar (such as Oceanspray 100% cranberry juice) has 28 grams of sugar in 8 fluid ounces of juice. Cranberry capsules are concentrated with the antioxidants and active ingredients and are thus a better alternative to cranberry juice.

However, don’t rely on cranberry juice/capsules to fully cure your UTI. It is important to consult with your doctor and you may need antibiotics.

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/can-cranberry-juice-stop-uti/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-tract-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20353447

https://www.webmd.com/women/news/20160225/cranberry-juice-for-urinary-tract-infection

All, Common Myths

Outside with wet hair

1 Comment

Related image

Andrea Hernandez

Your parents probably told you not to go outside with wet hair because you’d catch a cold. Having wet hair does not cause colds, colds are caused by a virus. There is no association of the virus with wet hair.

During below freezing temperatures, going outside with wet hair might increase the risk of hypothermia. So, if you were planning to go outside in cold weather with wet hair and without a jacket, you might want to reconsider.

Even though you do not get sick from wet hair, your hair becomes more prone to breakage in cold weather. Water expands in volume during freezing temperatures, so it forces the hair shaft to expand and lifts hair cuticles. Wet hair in freezing temperatures can be exposed to environmental damage which makes it easier for hair to get split ends.

The next time you decide to go outside in freezing temperatures with wet hair, you might want to think twice!

https://www.bustle.com/p/can-going-out-with-wet-hair-make-you-sick-this-is-why-the-old-wives-tale-has-stood-the-test-of-time-7588454

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/cold-wet-hair-germs_n_6739144

https://www.wellandgood.com/good-looks/cold-weather-damages-wet-hair/

https://www.thisisinsider.com/reason-for-not-going-outside-with-wet-hair-damage-winter-2018-11

 

All, Common Myths

Stifling a sneeze

2 Comments

Image result for kleenex tissues

Photo from Amazon

Madison McGuire

Many of us were warned as children to not hold in a sneeze, because our “heart would stop” or our “brain would explode.” While this seems like dramatic exaggeration, there may be a kernel of truth.

It might seem appropriate to pinch your nose and quiet the sneeze in certain social situations. However, recent research suggests it’s better to just let it out– while covering your mouth of course.

The diaphragm and chest muscles contract during a sneeze to clear mucus, irritants, and germs out of our system at approximately 100 miles per hour. According to ENT specialists from NYU, “suppressing the sneeze by holding the nose or mouth increases the pressure in the the sinuses, nasal cavity, or chest about 5 to 24 times of that during a normal sneeze.” Infected mucus can be pushed into the middle ear, causing infection or a ruptured eardrum. Blocking the nostril and mouth during a sneeze can also lead to air trapped in the chest, and in rare cases, the rupture of a cerebral aneurysm, a tear in the throat, or cracked cribs.

Although sneezing might seem embarrassing or unsanitary in a crowd of people, take care of your health and let your body’s natural reflexes take control. It best to sneeze or cough into the fold of your elbow.   

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/dont-hold-it-halted-sneeze-rips-hole-mans-throat-180967847/

https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20180116/hold-that-sneeze–maybe-not

https://www.menshealth.com/health/a19539150/can-holding-in-a-sneeze-kill-you/