Most people have a perception that many problems or health issues are age related and there is no need to undergo any tests early in life. For instance, orthopaedic problems are often understood as an old age problem, but with the kind of lifestyle we are living — sedentary lifestyle, long hours of sitting, poor diet, excessive stress, many people are diagnosed with cervical problems, lower back ache and other rheumatoid conditions. Such conditions in the age group of 25-32 are on the rise.
Here are a few myths that have been busted.
MYTH 1: Blood tests are for unhealthy people and I don’t need them. They don’t mean anything and the levels are inaccurate.
Fact: There are many things that may not show any symptoms while in early stages and if you go for a diagnosis, only then the symptoms are prominent. Frequent checkups provide the body behaviour and a preventive care. The fact is that blood tests accurately shows clinical disease as well as indicates an idea of where your health is trending over the tested period. Regular tests can be a very effective tool for monitoring health for preventive reasons.
Myth 2: Illness or conditions like diabetes, thyroid or cholesterol are age-related.
Fact: People in the age group of 25-35 years have a common misconception that even diabetes, thyroid, cholesterol are not common in this age group. But upon conducting the tests, all the levels were abnormal. With changes in the living habits like sedentary lifestyle, poor dietary intake, excess office stress etc, people have become less immune to diseases, irrespective of the age factor.
Myth 3: Do not eat sugar one night before the diabetes check up for normal results.
Fact: Diabetes is a gradually developing process and it has nothing to do with rise in blood sugar levels if you consume sweet before the test. The test results will only indicate high glucose levels in the blood if one is actually having any disturbances in the sugar levels. It should be noted that people with a family history of diabetes must have this checkup on regular basis. When the condition is genetic, then even if you don’t eat sweets can also have adverse effects on the blood sugar levels. Regular diabetic screening will only help in knowing the trend of the blood sugar levels.
Myth 4: Kids under the age have a good diet, no stress, no sedentary lifestyle so they cannot be deficient in Vitamin D.
Fact: Vitamin deficiency is one of the most common problems and is not age related. Over 80-90 % of the people are Vitamin D deficient including kids under the age of 5. We also tend to believe that by providing enough balanced diet like milk, curd, calcium and other related supplements and minerals etc, deficiency cannot happen. But we tend to forget the fact that Vitamin D deficiency has very little to with diet. Many factors influence its deficiency like lifestyle, place you live at, etc.
Myth 5: All diagnostic imaging methods involve radiation and X-rays especially are dangerous for pregnant women.
Fact: Though it is true that certain imaging methods like X-ray, CT scan, catheterisation and mammography involves radiation, but other methods like ultrasound and MRI scans are radiation free. In case of pregnant women, it is advisable not to undergo abdominal scan during the first trimester when the fetal organs are still developing as the radiations can be harmful. But in emergency conditions, scans can be performed by taking necessary precautions. The thing is that the abdomen should be completely protected with lead apron and chest X-rays can be done freely. Depending on the situation and symptoms, quality labs and practitioners will suggest the best possible ways of diagnosis.
Myth 6: All radiologic diagnostics are dangerous.
Fact: Not all radiologic machines work upon the principle of radiations like MRI and ultrasound. But they may be a bit time taking procedures in cases where instant diagnosis is required the speed of reaction is less. Only in such cases other equipments like X-ray comes in. The physician obeys all the rules to ensure patient safety. Getting radiologic diagnosis once in a while doesn’t affect any organ.
The Writer Is Dr Ruchi Gupta Founder-CEO 3hcare.in