Health and weather myths

Arab Weather - People transmit many myths related to health and weather, due to the transmission of erroneous information from parents or grandparents. But times have changed now and the science of weather prediction has developed greatly, so that the available information about health and weather has become more and more accurate.

Myth: Drinking alcohol feels warm

In fact, alcohol lowers the body temperature, and the feeling of warmth results from the increased blood flow to the skin away from the internal organs, which reduces sensitivity to cold, and thus reduces shivering.

All of these effects increase the risk of experiencing hypothermia.

Myth: Cold weather causes illness

It is viruses that cause illness, not cold weather. But cold days may make people more susceptible to infection if they are exposed to pathogenic germs, as the cold weather constricts the blood vessels in the nose, which causes dryness and low immunity in this area, and thus it facilitates the picking of viral infections, such as cold and flu.

And because staying indoors is a convenient solution in winter, people tend to gather in one place to feel warm, which helps the spread of diseases easily.

Myth: You don't need to use sunscreen in the winter

The skin is more sensitive to sunlight in winter, because ultraviolet radiation increases melanin production in the skin in summer, which protects the skin cells from damage by radiation.

In winter, however, the ultraviolet radiation decreases, and the melanin production in the skin decreases accordingly, which increases the risk of damage to the skin cells. Therefore, one must stick to using sunscreen even on cloudy days.

Myth: a cold makes migraines worse

Many migraine or migraine sufferers are affected by the weather changes, but the cold weather is not a trigger for migraine attacks. But there are other weather factors that may trigger migraine attacks, such as:

1. The percentage of humidity in the air.
2. Atmospheric pressure.
3. Major weather changes over a period of one or two days.
4. Migraine sufferers should discuss the causes that trigger the attacks with the attending physician.

Myth: You must wait at least half an hour after eating before swimming safely

Most people go swimming in the summer, and many believe this myth is correct, as people believe that eating food immediately before swimming may cause strong muscle cramps, which may cause drowning.

Although blood circulation is actually directed to the digestive system away from the muscles after eating, no cases of drowning due to a full abdomen have been documented.

Theoretically, a person might get cramps if swimming immediately after eating, but if this occurs while swimming in a closed public swimming pool, or in a swimming pool that is subject to regulation, one can get out of the water without problems.

Swimming immediately after eating a heavy meal causes discomfort and discomfort, just like exercising immediately after eating.

Myth: Sunburn turns tan

This information is not correct at all, as sunburn is not an initial stage of tanning.

Sunburn causes skin damage, redness, and eventual skin peeling, and excessive exposure to sunlight increases the risk of sunburn, or skin cancer.

Myth: People with darker skin don't need sunscreen

People with lighter skin have less melanin than people with darker skin, and melanin absorbs UV rays and protects against skin damage.

While fair-skinned people are more sensitive to UV rays and more susceptible to sun damage, people with darker skin are at risk of skin damage from UV rays as well.

That is why all people are advised to use sunscreen, regardless of skin tone.

Myth: Watermelon seeds grow in the stomach if swallowed

This is not true. Watermelon seeds do not sprout and grow in the stomach if they are swallowed, but swallowing seeds of any kind is not good either.

There is a small chance that the intestines will be damaged by swallowing the seeds, as they may become infected, obstructed, or injured and torn.

But the danger is that a watermelon seed, or any other type of seed, gets stuck in the appendix, which could lead to appendicitis, but the chance of this happening is very small.

The benefits of adding fruits and vegetables to your diet are far greater than the risks of eating them, so you should not hesitate to eat them.

Source: Cura