Mental health affects every aspect of our lives: how we feel about ourselves and the world; solve problems, cope with stress, and overcome challenges. Mental health challenges can be difficult to define and address. Dr. Michael B. First joins this episode of the Merck Manuals Medical Myths podcast. Dr. First is a Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Columbia University and is the editor and co-chair of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental...

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, we lose about 50 to 100 strands of hair from our head every day. But some people will experience even more significant hair loss in their lifetimes, which can be a source of anxiety and in some cases, an indicator of more serious medical issues. On this episode of the Merck Manuals, Wendy S. Levinbook, MD, Hartford Dermatology Associates, breaks down the most common misconceptions about hair loss – along with the facts people should...

Kidney stones are becoming more common in recent decades. Today, one in 10 Americans will suffer from one at some point in their lives. Kidney stones are hard masses that form in the urinary tract and may cause pain, bleeding, infection, or block of the flow of urine. Given the extreme pain that often accompanies kidney stones, many people are worried about getting them. That’s led to a lot of myths and misconceptions around kidney stones, what causes them, and how best to prevent them. In a...

In this bonus episode, Dr. Richard Schwab, chief of the Division of Sleep Medicine and professor of Medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania discusses dreams. Dr. Schwab explains the nature of dreams as well as other sleep-related phenomena such as nightmares, sleep paralysis, sleepwalking, and lucid dreaming.

In this episode of Merck Manuals Medical Myths, Dr. Richard Schwab, the chief of the Division of Sleep Medicine and professor of Medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania discusses the importance of sleep health. Dr. Schwab shares insights on the numerous factors that can affect sleep patterns and tips for getting a good night's rest.

As we approach hot summer days, we are excited to welcome Dr. Diane Birnbaumer, Emeritus Professor of medicine at David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, to discuss some myths about heat strokes and staying healthy in extreme temperatures.   For listeners in the U.S. and Canada, visit MerckManuals.com to learn more. For those outside the U.S. and Canada, visit MSDManuals.com for more information. 0:00 – 0:54 Introduction of Dr. Diane Birnbaumer, Emeritus Professor of medicine at David...

Now that many COVID-19 travel restrictions are loosening and people are beginning to travel once again, we're thrilled to welcome back Dr. Christopher Sanford, author of “Staying Healthy Abroad: A Global Travel’s Guide”, to talk about some more myths about staying safe and healthy while traveling abroad. Click here to learn more about health and travel. For listeners in the U.S. and Canada, visit MerckManuals.com to learn more. For those outside the U.S. and Canada, visit MSDManuals.com for...

Many of us want to look younger and have beautiful skin, but what kind of myths are we believing on how to achieve that? Do anti-aging creams actually work? Are the more expensive or luxury skincare products more effective than cheaper alternatives? Is sleeping in your makeup bad for your skin? On this episode of the Merck Manuals Medical Myths podcast, we welcome back Dr. Jonette Keri, Associate Professor of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery at the University of Miami, Miller School of...

Most people (hopefully) know the dangers involved with smoking. But is vaping just as bad for your health as smoking? Is actually worse for you as some say? Is vaping more harmful for younger people than it is older people? Is there an effective way to quit? What’s the best way to kick this habit and talk to teens about why it’s dangerous? On this episode of the Merck Manuals Medical Myths podcast, we welcome Dr. Judith Prochaska, Professor in the Department of Medicine at Stanford...

In Part 2 of our discussion on children's mental health, the Merck Manuals Medical Myths podcast welcomes back Dr. Josephine Elia, psychiatrist with a specialty in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Nemours, A.I. duPont Hospital for Children in Delaware. On this episode, Dr. Elia discusses some ways parents can manage and address some of the mental health difficulties that children face, with practical tips anyone can use.  Click here to learn more about mental health disorders in...

In a brief break from the traditional look into medical myths, this episode of the Merck Manuals Medical Myths podcast will delve into the difficult and sometimes taboo topic of children's mental health. Especially during 2020 and into 2021, children were forced to confront challenges and disruptions that no one could've imagined. And while adults have their own way of dealing with trauma, stress and mental health in general, children can be much different. To help us unpack some of the...

As the summer season approaches and many of us head outside to bask in the sun, what sorts of myths have we been telling ourselves about the best ways to protect our skin from the sun? Is 100 SPF really necessary? How long can you be outside before the sun starts to damage your skin? Do you only need sunscreen in the summer? How much is enough sunscreen to put on your skin? On this episode of the Merck Manuals Medical Myths podcast, we welcome back Dr. Jonette Keri, Associate Professor of...

This podcast has covered a handful of travel health myths before, but the way people travel has changed drastically in the COVID-19 world. While the world is beginning to work its way back to normal thanks to increasing vaccinations, that only means there are more questions as people look to resume their travels once again. What is the safest way to travel? Are airplanes really cleaning out air better than we think? Are masks enough on public transit? DO we need to wear masks inside our own...

Acne is a skin condition so many of us encounter during our lives. But the severity of the condition can differ greatly from person to person, and it's led to a number of myths surrounding what causes it? Is chocolate the culprit? Is fatty and unhealthy foods the issue? Is acne only something that pubescent teens have to deal with?  On this episode of the Merck Manuals Medical Myths podcast, we talk all things acne with Dr. Jonette Keri, Associate Professor of Dermatology and Cutaneous...

Coming soon: the Merck Manuals, one of the world’s most widely used medical resources since 1899, will be releasing the 3rd season of the Merck Manuals Medical Myths Podcast! All new episodes coming the week of May 10, 2021! Season 3 once again dispels common medical myths and misconceptions through revealing conversations with nationally recognized physicians. These new episodes encompass just the first half of Season three and address a number of topics that are top of mind for today’s...

Spending a fun night out has no regrets until it's met with that dreaded familiar feeling the next morning. Can coffee cure hangovers? What about the old “hair of the dog” trick? Is the saying “beer before liquor never been sicker” really true? Dr. Rika O’Malley, physician at Albert Einstein Medical Center joins us to debunk some of these myths and tells us how to deal with (or prevent) a hangover after drinking alcohol. For listeners in the U.S. and Canada, visit MerckManuals.com to learn...

From questions about how to get the whitest teeth to what the proper brushing and flossing techniques are, there are a number of questions out there surrounding dental care. Is flossing good or unnecessary? Does charcoal toothpaste clean your teeth or do the opposite? Is it really necessary to remove our wisdom teeth? And why do they call them that anyway? On this episode, we welcome Dr. David F. Murchison, a practicing dentist for more than 40 years and a professor at the Texas A&M...

The entire world is grappling with how to deal with COVID-19, from what precautions we should take to how it affects each of us differently. But children are different. From the way COVID-19 affects childrens' bodies to how parents should approach the virus in kids, there are a lot of myths out there. On this episode, we talk to Dr. Catherine Soprano, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, about what parents should think about when it comes to Coronavirus and their children. For...

Eyesight is extremely valuable, and we are constantly being told what is bad and what is good for our eyes. Well, how many of those myths are true? Dr. Sunir Garg, retina physician and surgeon, debunks those myths with us and provides us with some much-needed clarity on the subject. For listeners in the U.S. and Canada, visit MerckManuals.com to learn more. For those outside the U.S. and Canada, visit MSDManuals.com for more information.

Stomachs can be very sensitive. Factors such as what you eat and how fast you eat can cause issues from indigestion to ulcers and more. Dr. Jonathan Gotfried joins us to share his insights and help us digest some of the biggest myths around gastrointestinal problems, while also sharing tips for how to keep a healthy gut. For listeners in the U.S. and Canada, visit MerckManuals.com to learn more. For those outside the U.S. and Canada, visit MSDManuals.com for more information.

High blood pressure can often be associated with aging or with being a hot head, but there are a number of other causes of high blood pressure that should not be overlooked. Dr. George Bakris joins us to share some insights and breaks down the biggest myths around high blood pressure, cholesterol and hypertension. For listeners in the U.S. and Canada, visit MerckManuals.com to learn more. For those outside the U.S. and Canada, visit MSDManuals.com for more information.

You’ve heard of “Vertigo” the movie, and it’s likely that everyone has experienced the sensation before. But do you know what it is and why we feel it? Dr. David Kaylie discusses the differences in dizziness and vertigo, hearing loss and treatments that can help and the myths associated with Vertigo. For listeners in the U.S. and Canada, visit MerckManuals.com to learn more. For those outside the U.S. and Canada, visit MSDManuals.com for more information.

Cracking your joints can often bring a feeling of relief or satisfaction, but are you doing damage to your joints? And while the term arthritis is typically used as a catch-all for joint issues, rheumatoid arthritis and osteo arthritis are not interchangeable, and in fact, they’re quite different. Dr. Brian Mandell explains these differences as well as addressing the many myths that surround joint pain and stiffness. For listeners in the U.S. and Canada, visit MerckManuals.com to learn more....

When traveling to foreign lands, you want to embrace local customs and “do as the locals do.” But is it safe? Dr. Christopher Sanford, author of “Staying Healthy Abroad: A Global Travel’s Guide”, discusses common myths about staying safe and healthy while traveling abroad.