8
Eating too much sugar will
give you diabetes.
Myth! Sweet foods don’t directly lead
to chronically high blood sugar. But
they can contribute to obesity, which
is a risk factor for diabetes, so keep-
ing a well-balanced diet and limiting
treats is still the right idea.9
You shouldn’t let someone with
a concussion sleep right away.
Truth! For several hours after the
initial blow, it’s a good idea to keep
the person awake and monitor
symptoms. But after that, taking naps
and getting plenty of sleep at night
are recommended to aid recovery.10
Tilt your head back if you
have a nosebleed.
Myth! Tilting your head back might
make you swallow blood, which
could irritate the stomach and po-
tentially make you vomit. Instead, tip
your head slightly forward and pinch
your nose shut for ten minutes.11
You should eat several small
meals throughout the day
instead of three big ones.
Myth! While some people who are
natural grazers might do better on
a small-meal eating plan, others
won’t feel satisfied, and the diet will
backfire. The goal should be to pay
attention to the overall nutrients
and calories you’re getting in your
meals, not to how you’re spreading
them out.12
Waking up sleepwalkers
will give them a heart attack.
Myth! Sleepwalkers might be dis-
oriented or distressed if you manage
to wake them up, but you won’t put
them at risk of a heart attack or coma.
Your best bet is to guide the person
back to bed or wake the person
gently so he or she won’t be startled.13
Coffee will dehydrate you.
Myth! The idea that caffeine is
a diuretic that leaves your body short
of fluids doesn’t hold water. In fact,
studies show that coffee and tea
drinkers don’t use the bathroom any
more than water drinkers. A cup of
joe counts as part of your fluid intake
and can actually help you hydrate.14
A person having a seizure
is at risk of swallowing his
or her tongue.
Myth! Following conventional
wisdom and putting a spoon in the
person’s mouth won’t prevent
tongue swallowing, but it could harm
the teeth or jaws. Instead, turn the
person on his or her side to prevent
choking on saliva or vomit, and
cushion the head with a pillow.15
Frostbitten skin shouldn’t
be warmed up by a heater.
Truth! Frostbite numbs the skin,
so it could be burned without your
realizing it if it’s next to a radiator,
fire, or heating pad. Instead,
immerse the area in warm water.70 march 2019
Reader’s Digest