Merck Manuals Medical Myths

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, we lose about 50 to 100 strands of hair from our head every day. But some people will experience even more significant hair loss in their lifetimes, which can be a source of anxiety and in some cases, an indicator of more serious medical issues.

Kidney stones are becoming more common in recent decades. Today, one in 10 Americans will suffer from one at some point in their lives. Kidney stones are hard masses that form in the urinary tract and may cause pain, bleeding, infection, or block of the flow of urine. Given the extreme pain that often accompanies kidney stones, many people are worried about getting them. That’s led to a lot of myths and misconceptions around kidney stones, what causes them, and how best to prevent them.

Now that many COVID-19 travel restrictions are loosening and people are beginning to travel once again, we're thrilled to welcome back Dr. Christopher Sanford, author of “Staying Healthy Abroad: A Global Travel’s Guide”, to talk about some more myths about staying safe and healthy while traveling abroad.

Many of us want to look younger and have beautiful skin, but what kind of myths are we believing on how to achieve that? Do anti-aging creams actually work? Are the more expensive or luxury skincare products more effective than cheaper alternatives? Is sleeping in your makeup bad for your skin?

On this episode of the Merck Manuals Medical Myths podcast, we welcome back Dr. Jonette Keri, Associate Professor of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine. She is also Chief, Dermatology Service at Miami VA Hospital.

This is the final part of a three-part series on dermatology.

Most people (hopefully) know the dangers involved with smoking. But is vaping just as bad for your health as smoking? Is actually worse for you as some say? Is vaping more harmful for younger people than it is older people? Is there an effective way to quit? What’s the best way to kick this habit and talk to teens about why it’s dangerous?

On this episode of the Merck Manuals Medical Myths podcast, we welcome Dr. Judith Prochaska, Professor in the Department of Medicine at Stanford University with the Stanford Prevention Research Center and a member of the Stanford Cancer Institute. Dr. Prochaska is a licensed clinical psychologist with a focus in addiction medicine.

In Part 2 of our discussion on children's mental health, the Merck Manuals Medical Myths podcast welcomes back Dr. Josephine Elia, psychiatrist with a specialty in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Nemours, A.I. duPont Hospital for Children in Delaware.

On this episode, Dr. Elia discusses some ways parents can manage and address some of the mental health difficulties that children face, with practical tips anyone can use. 

In a brief break from the traditional look into medical myths, this episode of the Merck Manuals Medical Myths podcast will delve into the difficult and sometimes taboo topic of children's mental health. Especially during 2020 and into 2021, children were forced to confront challenges and disruptions that no one could've imagined. And while adults have their own way of dealing with trauma, stress and mental health in general, children can be much different.

To help us unpack some of the challenges children face, we welcome Dr. Josephine Elia, psychiatrist with a specialty in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Nemours, A.I. duPont Hospital for Children in Delaware.

This is Part 1 of a two-part series on children's mental health, with Part 1 focusing on identifying some of these issues. Part 2 will delve into how parents and guardians can manage and address some of the mental health difficulties that children face.

As the summer season approaches and many of us head outside to bask in the sun, what sorts of myths have we been telling ourselves about the best ways to protect our skin from the sun? Is 100 SPF really necessary? How long can you be outside before the sun starts to damage your skin? Do you only need sunscreen in the summer? How much is enough sunscreen to put on your skin?

On this episode of the Merck Manuals Medical Myths podcast, we welcome back Dr. Jonette Keri, Associate Professor of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine. She is also Chief, Dermatology Service at Miami VA Hospital.

This is Part 2 of a three-part series on dermatology. Stay tuned for the final episode of the series where we talk about skincare beauty myths.

Acne is a skin condition so many of us encounter during our lives. But the severity of the condition can differ greatly from person to person, and it's led to a number of myths surrounding what causes it? Is chocolate the culprit? Is fatty and unhealthy foods the issue? Is acne only something that pubescent teens have to deal with? 

On this episode of the Merck Manuals Medical Myths podcast, we talk all things acne with Dr. Jonette Keri, Associate Professor of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine. She is also Chief, Dermatology Service at Miami VA Hospital.

This is Part 1 of a three-part series on dermatology. Stay tuned for future episodes where we get into the topics of sun protection and skincare beauty myths.

Coming soon: the Merck Manuals, one of the world’s most widely used medical resources since 1899, will be releasing the 3rd season of the Merck Manuals Medical Myths Podcast!

All new episodes coming the week of May 10, 2021!

Season 3 once again dispels common medical myths and misconceptions through revealing conversations with nationally recognized physicians. These new episodes encompass just the first half of Season three and address a number of topics that are top of mind for today’s medical consumers:

Topics for the podcast were developed based on the most popular web searches for key medical topics, along with common questions physicians received when talking to patients. The podcast is the latest offering in support of the Manuals’ ongoing commitment to make the best current medical information accessible globally and in relevant formats.

Spending a fun night out has no regrets until it's met with that dreaded familiar feeling the next morning. Can coffee cure hangovers? What about the old “hair of the dog” trick? Is the saying “beer before liquor never been sicker” really true? Dr. Rika O’Malley, physician at Albert Einstein Medical Center joins us to debunk some of these myths and tells us how to deal with (or prevent) a hangover after drinking alcohol.

From questions about how to get the whitest teeth to what the proper brushing and flossing techniques are, there are a number of questions out there surrounding dental care. Is flossing good or unnecessary? Does charcoal toothpaste clean your teeth or do the opposite? Is it really necessary to remove our wisdom teeth? And why do they call them that anyway?

On this episode, we welcome Dr. David F. Murchison, a practicing dentist for more than 40 years and a professor at the Texas A&M College of Dentistry. He'll explain to us some of the best ways to care for our teeth and gums and debunk some common myths about dentistry.

The entire world is grappling with how to deal with COVID-19, from what precautions we should take to how it affects each of us differently. But children are different. From the way COVID-19 affects childrens' bodies to how parents should approach the virus in kids, there are a lot of myths out there. On this episode, we talk to Dr. Catherine Soprano, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, about what parents should think about when it comes to Coronavirus and their children. 

Eyesight is extremely valuable, and we are constantly being told what is bad and what is good for our eyes. Dr. Sunir Garg, retina physician and surgeon, provides us with some much-needed clarity on the subject.

Stomachs can be very sensitive. Factors such as what you eat and how fast you eat can cause issues from indigestion to ulcers and more. Dr. Jonathan Gotfried joins us to share his insights and help us digest some of the biggest myths around gastrointestinal problems, while also sharing tips for how to keep a healthy gut.

High blood pressure can often be associated with aging or with being a hot head, but there are a number of other causes of high blood pressure that should not be overlooked. Dr. George Bakris joins us to share some insights and breaks down the biggest myths around high blood pressure, cholesterol and hypertension.

You’ve heard of “Vertigo” the movie, and it’s likely that everyone has experienced the sensation before. But do you know what it is and why we feel it? Dr. David Kaylie discusses the differences in dizziness and vertigo, hearing loss and treatments that can help and the myths associated with Vertigo. 

Cracking your joints can often bring a feeling of relief or satisfaction, but are you doing damage to your joints? And while the term arthritis is typically used as a catch-all for joint issues, rheumatoid arthritis and osteo arthritis are not interchangeable, and in fact, they’re quite different. Dr. Brian Mandell explains these differences as well as addressing the many myths that surround joint pain and stiffness.

When traveling to foreign lands, you want to embrace local customs and “do as the locals do.” But is it safe? Dr. Christopher Sanford, author of “Staying Healthy Abroad: A Global Travel’s Guide”, discusses common myths about staying safe and healthy while traveling abroad.

Hearing loss is often thought of as an inevitable part of getting older. But how much do things such as noisy entertainment venues, audio devices, and powered recreational equipment expose people to damaging levels of sound– especially the younger generation? Dr. Lustig is here with us today to discuss and break down the biggest myths around hearing loss and how consumers can prevent it.

Trying to lose weight can be extremely frustrating. With so many new diet myths and trends hitting the market, it’s hard for anyone to determine which are right for them. Some of these fad diets and weight-loss myths are not only unhealthy ways to quickly lose weight, but could actually cause long-term problems for your health. Dr. Adrienne Youdim is our guest today to break down today’s most popular diet myths and share tips for healthy, sustainable weight loss.

When you're pregnant it seems like everyone you know has advice, and it can be overwhelming. You may expect some of the changes that occur during your pregnancy, but others may seem fascinating or even surprising. The internet is full of conflicting information about how to stay healthy during your pregnancy and today we invite Dr. Lara Friel to dispel some of the biggest pregnancy myths and help listeners have the healthiest possible experience for them and their future baby.

Knowing whether that red bump is a serious issue or merely an irritation can be difficult. Dr. Gerald O'Malley shares the importance of identifying bites and stings in order to get the right treatment. Join us as we debunk common myths related to spider bites, snake bites, jellyfish stings, and more.