Parents see their children sucking their thumb and may ask, “Will this cause problems later?” Thumb and finger sucking is a common behavior among children under 5 years of age. Thumb sucking normally does not cause a problem for young children and most children stop on their own. However, thumb sucking beyond the age of […]
Medical Myths
Will Eating too Much Candy or too Many Sugary Foods Cause Cavities?
The answer is yes, but not for the reasons you think. On its own, sugar won’t hurt your teeth. Sugar is naturally occurring in most foods and is used by our bodies for energy. However, there is a lot of bacteria in our mouths. And it’s the bacteria that actually causes cavities. Bacteria feeds on […]
Is Chocolate Milk a Good Post-Workout Drink?
Ever thought about drinking chocolate milk after a hard workout? It may be more beneficial than you think. Dr. Charles Smith, UAMS family medicine doctor, said that some new research seems to suggest chocolate milk as good post workout drink. Recent studies have shown that drinking chocolate milk after exercising is advantageous because of its […]
Does Licking Your Lips When They’re Chapped Really Help?
Licking your lips when they’re chapped will not make them better. In fact, according to the Dermatology Clinic at UAMS, licking your lips can actually make things worse. Chapped lips are caused by a number of factors. For most people, the weather is the main cause of chapped lips. Strong winds, extreme temperatures and sun […]
Will Cracking Your Knuckles Cause Arthritis?
The Department of Orthopedics noted there is no evidence that knuckle cracking causes arthritis. However, repeatedly cracking your knuckles may cause temporary soreness of the joint. Knuckles are the joints between your fingers and your hands. These joints are surrounded and lubricated by synovial fluid, a thick, clear liquid. When you crack your knuckles, you’re causing […]
Does Eating Chocolate Cause Acne?
“Acne diets” prohibiting chocolate and other high fat goodies were popular years ago. However, the Dermatology Clinic at UAMS has good news for acne patients. Modern dermatologists no longer recommend acne diets. There is no good evidence to link chocolate or other specific foods to acne, so restricting someones diet is not the best treatment. Acne […]
Can Blowing Smoke into a Child’s Ear Cure an Ear Infection or Is it Dangerous?
According to the Department of Otolaryngology at UAMS, the normal course of a middle ear infection is for the infection or puss to build up behind the ear drum, causing the ear drum to burst. Then the ear drum will heal. The pressure before the ear drum bursts causes severe discomfort. Antibiotics only decrease the healing […]
Can Wearing a Copper Bracelet Cure Arthritis?
Arthritis is a condition that results in deterioration and loss of the joint surface cartilage, where the repair process fails to keep up with the breakdown. Copper bracelets have long been sold as a cure for arthritis. Vendors propose that the metal is absorbed through the skin and helps cartilage regeneration. But there are certain facts […]
Is Spinach a Great Source of Iron?
Despite what Popeye led a lot of young people to believe, spinach is not particularly rich in iron. In reality, it has about the same iron content as many other green vegetables, according to Dr. Philip Kern, M.D., Department of Endocrinology/ Metabolism at UAMS. “Spinach also contains oxalic acid, which prevents more than 90 percent […]
Should you Feed a Cold and Starve a Fever?
Not only is it a bad idea to starve a fever, it will hinder your ability to recover from the cold according to Philip Kern, M.D., Department of Endocrinology/Metabolism at UAMS. “Drinking plenty of fluids is important since fever promotes fluid loss from the body and dehydration can result,” Dr. Kern says. While drinking or […]