15 “Bad” Health Habits You Probably Do Allll The Time (But Really Shouldn’t), Straight From Doctors And Nurses
Some answers were taken from: This Reddit topic written by: u/Sea_Fig1387.
Note: Obviously, we cannot verify whether these are actual medical professionals; If you have a medical question, consult your doctor.
1. “Not taking care of your feet. I regularly see elderly patients come into the hospital with very long toenails and nail fungus, and this is a 20-year occurrence (at least). I know seniors are often on a fixed income, but Medicare pays for a podiatrist to trim their nails. It’s not a luxury. If you can’t reach your feet, see a podiatrist regularly. There are treatments that work.”
“As we get older, most of the time blood vessels Our legs are not optimal, so it is important to address problems early. “Ingrown toenails and fungus may reveal or signal other problems.”
—Anonymous, 63, Utah
2. “Not measuring your blood pressure frequently. High blood pressure no symptoms and will cause damage over time. It doesn’t matter if you’re ‘too young’ if it’s common in your family. It causes strokes, kidney damage and puts more strain on your heart. Knowledge is power!”
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3. “Sit back and use the back of your chair. Your lower back will thank you for it.”
Oscar Wong/Getty Images
4. “Not wearing sunscreen. Sunscreen does not cause cancer!”
5. “Overindulgence in overly processed sweets. Yes, I know, they are delicious. But these overly processed foods are full of things that, yes, IT WILL happen. From where cancer, heart disease etc. If you enjoy these, make your own using honey or maple syrup (both harmless) instead of sugar.”
—Anonymous, 44, new York
6. “I don’t floss. We can tell you not to floss. Always floss!!! Think of it this way: When you poop, you clean between your butt because you want to be clean. Floss between your teeth and remove the gunk. Because, yes. It stinks.”
-Anonymous
7. “I have a PhD in psychology/neuroscience. You MUST get enough sleep and do it regularly. You are setting yourself up for serious heart and neurological disease.” problems If you’re constantly accumulating sleep debt now, later in life. If you’re one of those people who think they don’t need much sleep or are too busy to get enough, try getting at least seven to eight hours of sleep per night for two weeks. You will find that you are more effective at work (less distracted, less prone to errors) and more emotionally focused.”
“If you have anxiety-related issues that keep you from sleeping, start exercising (with a high heart rate and preferably some sweat) at least three times a week.”
8. “I’m an ortho surgeon. Exercise. That’s the biggest difference I see in my patients; 90-year-olds who feel and act like a 65-year-old, and 65-year-olds who act and feel like a 90-year-old. I see it every day in my office. The difference is exercise. You don’t have to do anything crazy. Just do something and be consistent.”
“I should also add that the majority of arthritis is genetic programming (not age, weight, sports, etc.) and the only thing that slows it down is, you guessed it, exercise. There is no cure for arthritis and nothing major on the horizon.”
Juan Algar/Getty Images
9. “I am a medical assistant at a gynecology office. Don’t forget to get your Pap smears and annual exams! 10 years For the development of cervical cancer (from HPV) and is highly preventable. Most people avoid taking them because they are afraid of pain. One minute of discomfort! Early detection of atypical cervical cells is lifesaving (and highly treatable). Be gentle with your nether regions!”
—Anonymous, 24, Colorado
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10. “Oral health is often overlooked, so this goes for anyone who uses a manual toothbrush: If you can afford it, buy a cheap electric toothbrush. Most people aren’t very good with toothbrush technique, and an electric toothbrush makes getting rid of plaque much easier.”
“Twice a day, just two minutes each time. Point the bristles at the gum line at a 45-degree angle and let the electric toothbrush work its magic!”
11. “Use earplugs and preserve your hearing for as long as possible. Noise-induced hearing loss #1 preventable hearing loss. Untreated hearing loss is the #1 replaceable hearing loss risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia.”
“Mowing the lawn? Earplugs. Going to a concert, or even a loud bar with live music? Earplugs. Shooting a gun (yes, even just one shot)? Earplugs. Earplugs come in great styles and designs these days. Spend a few extra bucks on musician earplugs to ensure good speech understanding. Earplugs are great. Protect your ears!”
12. “Avoid stress! Many conditions/diseases flared up The long-term effects of constantly rising cortisol damage the body. Meditation is a great way to do this: Just sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes, take some deep breaths, and really pay attention to your body. It is also most important to do light to moderate exercise. Best regards, a friendly family practice doctor.”
13. “Family physician here! Please see your primary care doctor! Early detection of hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, and high cholesterol, among others, is crucial! The damage these conditions can do to your body is very serious! I have many patients who have heart failure, kidney failure, or serious complications of diabetes due to uncontrolled conditions of these conditions!”
“Never skip regular diagnostics as well as annual blood test checkups across a range of ages and risk profiles, including colonoscopy, EKG, chest x-ray, prostate check, mammogram, etc. There aren’t many things that come out of the blue that can kill you. There are often signs that things are getting worse years in advance, and these risks can be reduced with early intervention.“
14. “Wear your seat belts and helmets! There’s a reason they’re everywhere, and you’re not very cool with life-changing injuries/injuries.”
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And finally…
15. “I’m a registered dietitian. People need more fiber!!! Fiber moves the intestines. It reduces your risk of colon cancer, increases satiety (increases “saturation”), and nourishes your gut microbiome (allows your healthy bacteria to thrive, which keeps your immune system healthy and produces certain vitamins).
Note: Some answers have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Wow. What other “bad” health habits do doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals have that people don’t realize are seriously harmful? Let us know in the comments or you can use the form below if you prefer to remain anonymous.
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