Feb. 18, 2013 | Most medical myths are exactly that, just a myth. For example, you’ve probably heard that eating late at night causes you to gain more weight than, say, eating in the middle of the day. Not so, according to Betsy Day, manager of the UAMS Weight Loss Clinic. It is not the time of day that makes the difference; it’s what you are consuming. And most people tend to veg out on high-calorie foods while unwinding in front of the TV after a long, stressful day. Our metabolism is a complex process. You might think that your metabolism slows down drastically at the end of the day and, therefore, your body does not burn off the calories you consume at night. But in fact, even though your metabolism is slower at night when you are stationary than when you are active, your metabolism never stops working, even when you are sleeping. In other words, calories consumed at night won’t change your metabolism or count more than calories consumed during the day.

Feb. 18, 2013 | Have you or a member of your family ever sleepwalked? If you, you’ve probably heard the medical myth about the dangers associated with waking a sleepwalker. Fortunately, waking a sleepwalker will not cause them to have a heart attack or cause any other serious trauma, says UAMS sleep medicine specialist Dr. Raghu Reddy. Sleepwalking itself does not cause any health problems but it can cause problems indirectly mainly due to safety concerns, such as walking out of the house, jumping out of the window, using lighters and kitchen knives or bumping into sharp objects. The best way to handle a sleepwalker is to try to ease them back to bed without making forceful attempts. If unsuccessful, just watch closely to assure their safety and try again after some time has passed. You should also know that sleepwalking rarely occurs among adults, usually beginning at the age of 4 and declining into the adolescent years, and is thought to be a genetic disorder.

Feb. 18, 2013 | Everybody knows that the human body needs water, but will drinking a lot of water cure dry skin or is that just another one of those pesky medical myths? It turns out that a normally hydrated person probably won’t see a difference in their skin after consuming an increased volume of water, says UAMS dermatologist Donna Pellowski, who adds that excessive water intake can lead to other health problems and is not recommended nor is effective for dry skin. Dry skin is an external problem and is best treated from the outside. External factors such as cleansing products, certain weather conditions and oil glands determine how dry your skin is or will become. The best solution for dry skin is to treat it from the outside with a moisturizer such as a lotion, cream, ointment or oil, which forms an effective barrier to water loss. Dr. Pellowski suggests applying the cream within a few minutes of bathing, when the skin is damp, because this will lock in moisture.

Feb. 18, 2013 | Can your toothbrush make you sick? Many people believe that using your old toothbrush after having the flu can cause you to become infected with the very germs that made you sick. Thanks to your immune system and good hygiene habits, it’s unlikely that your toothbrush will make you sick. Dr. David Stillwell, director of the UAMS Oral Health Clinic, says the problem doesn’t lie with the toothbrush but with how and where we store it. Bathrooms are the perfect place for bacteria to grow, moist and steamy. It’s also not helpful that most toothbrushes sit near the toilet. To avoid a germy toothbrush, store your brush away from the toilet, and close the lid before flushing. Do not share brushes and avoid storing toothbrushes together. Rinse your toothbrush thoroughly after every brush with hot water. For a more effective rinse, submerge your brush in hydrogen peroxide or an alcohol-based mouthwash. And wash your hands before and after brushing.

Feb. 18, 2013 | Have you ever found out that something you believed to be true was really a medical myth? Don’t sweat it. The popular belief that it’s possible to sweat toxins out of the body is one of those myths. Sweat is 99 percent water, combined with a small amount of salt, proteins, carbohydrates and urea, according to UAMS family medicine physician Dr. Charles Smith. Toxins such as mercury, alcohol and most drugs are actually eliminated by your liver, intestines or kidneys. The human body sweats in an effort to cool down to its normal temperature of 98 degrees. Some people have gone so far as to participate in something called a “sweat lodge” as a means of purifying their systems. But instead of being healthy, this can be dangerous and result in injury or, in severe cases, death. Forcing the body to perspire through heat exposure or heavy exercise can cause your kidneys to save water and actually hang on to any toxins that may be circulating in your system.