6. The main reason to brush your teeth is to remove food debris.
Brushing is a great way to get the gunk out of your teeth after a meal. But the real benefit of brushing is to eliminate the bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. Bacterial plaque constantly forms on teeth and gums and is one of the main causes of tooth decay and gum disease. Since plaque-building bacteria thrive on foods that contain sugars and starches, you need to brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes each time and floss once a day. If calcified plaque, known as tartar, starts to get under your gum line, it's time to head to the dentist for a professional cleaning, usually every six to nine months.
7. Once you've had a caesarean section, you'll always have to have one.
Not so. Fifty to 80 per cent of women who deliver by C-section because their labour failed to progress (known as dystocia) or their babies were in a breech position can successfully have vaginal deliveries for the next baby. This is known as vaginal birth after caesarean. There are, however, some circumstances under which a woman would always have to have another C-section; these include a vertical incision for the original C-section or extensive uterine surgery. Both can increase the risk of uterine rupture during a subsequent labour and delivery.
8. A heart attack is always accompanied by significant pain.
While men having heart attacks typically feel a crushing, squeezing pain in their chests, often accompanied by sweating, shortness of breath and light-headedness, women experiencing heart attacks are more likely to complain of vague chest discomfort and nausea. Since these symptoms can come and go, many women chalk them up to heartburn. When they do have significant chest pain, women are more likely than men to describe it as radiating from their chests up their necks, jaws or backs, whereas men describe it as just pain in their chests. Whatever the symptoms, if you're concerned that you may be having a heart attack, call 911 for an ambulance to the nearest emergency department and chew on ASA en route. Medical therapy for a heart attack is most beneficial during the first two hours, when risk of death is highest.
9. Starve a fever; feed a cold.
At some point in history, people may have believed that stuffing your face while you had a cold would get rid of it, but modern doctors say that's a lot of hooey. Colds are caused by viruses, and the only way to feel better is to rest and drink lots of fluids. These fluids replenish those used by the immune system to fight off the virus. If you have a fever that's higher than 38 C for more than 48 hours, then it's not about whether to eat; it's about consulting a doctor to find out what's causing the fever. If you feel that having something soothing, such as chicken soup, will comfort you, then go ahead. Hey, if it makes you feel better, why not? But it's not going to cure you.
10. Ulcers are caused by stress.
Doctors used to think that a peptic ulcer — a sore on the lining of the stomach or the top part of the small intestine (known as the duodenum) — was the result of too much stress or spicy food or both. However, research has pinned the blame on Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a spiral-shaped bacterium that causes more than 90 per cent of ulcers by weakening the protective mucus coating of the stomach and duodenum, allowing acid to get through to the sensitive lining underneath. While it's not clear how people get infected with H. pylori, researchers suspect that it's from person-to-person contact, either through infected saliva, vomit or fecal matter that comes into contact with hands, food or water. Some people who have used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or ASA, for a long time are also prone to developing ulcers. In a few cases, ulcers are caused by cancerous tumours in the stomach or pancreas.
