10 Medical Myths We Should Stop Believing. Doctors, Too. [View all]

Researchers identified nearly 400 common medical practices and theories that were contradicted by rigorous studies. Here are some of the most notable findings.

Peanut allergies occur whether or not a child is exposed to peanuts before age 3.

Fish oil does not reduce the risk of heart disease.

A lifelike doll carried around by teenage girls will not deter pregnancies.

Ginkgo biloba does not protect against memory loss and dementia.

To treat emergency room patients in acute pain, a single dose of oral opioids is no better than drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen.

Testosterone treatment does not help older men retain their memory.

To protect against asthma attacks, it won’t help to keep your house free of dust mites, mice and cockroaches.

Step counters and calorie trackers do not help you lose weight.

Torn knee meniscus? Try physical therapy first, surgery later.

If a pregnant woman’s water breaks prematurely, the baby does not have to be delivered immediately.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/01/health/medical-myths-doctors.html?