Medical issues for the 21st century

Advances in modern technology have brought much convenience. Yet, along with the benefits, there are some health concerns. Take hearing loss for example. Some teenagers like to wear headphones for long periods of time and listen to music at a high volume. This might lead to hearing loss, a condition that commonly affects the elderly before.

Obesity is another health threat. Due to the use of computers, most people sit longer than previous generations. This means they have far less opportunity for physical activities than in the past. As one study found, people who work over 40 hours a week are about 8% more likely to be obese.

Of course, some health risks relate to smartphones. The smartphone has become such a necessity that many of us cannot imagine living without it. People spend an estimated 3.5 hours a day looking at their phones – something that can lead to back and neck pain. Smartphones may also cause stomach pain. A 2011 study found that 16% of smartphones are contaminated with E. coli大肠杆菌, a type of bacteria that can result in stomach pain. In addition to physical risks, psychological problems may emerge when people become overly attached to their phones. Constantly checking social media may cause stress, and people may feel anxious when unable to access their mobile phones.

Now that you know the health risks related to modern technology, try to use your electronic devices rationally. Don’t let them take over your life and damage your physical and psychological health.

Germ myths

HOST: Welcome to Health Beat. In this digital age, we’re constantly exposed to medical claims索赔, “Wonder drugs神奇药物” that cure disease, foods that can cause cancer … but which claims are true and which complete nonsense?

Joining us this month to talk about germs and disease is Dr. Mitchell of the Mayweather Institute in New York.

Dr. Mitchell, welcome to the show.

DR. MITCHELL: Thanks for having me.

HOST: OK, so to start us off, Dr.Mitchell, what exactly are germs?

DR. MITCHELL: By germs, we mean bacteria and viruses that can cause diseases. For example, tuberculosis肺结核 is caused by a bacterium. The common cold and influenza are caused by viruses.

HOST: …and is it true that dangerous germs are all around us?

DR. MITCHELL: While it is true that germs are everywhere, it’s a myth that all germs are dangerous. Most are not harmful, and, in fact, some “good” bacteria in our bodies help us to digest food.

HOST: So you mean that we don’t need to worry about germs so much? 

DR. MITCHELL: Erm …, no. To clarify, I’m saying we need to keep in mind that just because germs exist everywhere, this doesn’t mean that ALL germs we come in contact with cause diseases.

HOST: But many people think they will, don’t they? One of our listeners claims that money spreads diseases because it has a lot of germs on it. Is that true?

DR. MITCHELL: It is a classic myth that money is a major way that diseases are spread. Of course, any money we use – both banknotes and coins – might have picked up some bacteria or viruses as it circulates from person to person. How many bacteria a banknote has depends on how old it is, and this varies from country to country. However, you don’t need to worry about it too much. Just remember to wash your hands after handling money.

HOST: So, you either wash your hands all the time, or you get sick?

DR. MITCHELL: No,no…in actualfactyoucouldwash yourhandsallthetimeandstillgetsick.Justmakesure youwashyourhandsregularly…especially after you’ve comeintocontactwiththingsthathavebeenhandled bymany differentpeople, like banknotes…handrails on trains…

HOST: OK, good advice. Next, people claim that they get sick when they fly because the air is circulated and recirculated on the plane the whole flight. Is it true that breathing in recirculated air on flights makes passengers sick?

DR. MITCHELL: Actually, the air you breathe on a plane is pretty fresh. High-efficiency air filters remove about 99.9% of any bacteria and viruses in the air that’s pulled into the plane. What’s more, recirculated air is continuously released from the plane and replaced with fresh air from the outside. The average plane’s air is refreshed about 20 times an hour. In comparison,the air in an average office is only changed about 12 times an hour!

HOST: So why do people think that planes make them sick?

DR. MITCHELL: Well, let’s say a passenger comes down with a cold after a flight. This reinforces the myth that the air was the cause. In fact, the cold virus might have been spread from touching the seat tray, or it could have been spread by turning a door handle. Or it may have been spread by a passenger sitting nearby who was coughing and sneezing. We don’t know the true cause.

HOST: So, your main point is that the recirculated air isn’t the way that germs are spread on flights.

DR. MITCHELL: Exactly. There are lots of different ways to get sick on a plane, but it’s very unlikely to be caused by recirculated air.

HOST: Another listener believes the kitchen is the dirtiest room in the house. That isn’t true, is it?

DR. MITCHELL: Well, in fact, some say it is. Kitchens are, in fact, full of germs that can cause diseases. For example, many people use a wet sponge or cloth to clean up. They don’t realize that dangerous germs might have been spread as they cleaned. The kitchen table looks clean, but it isn’t. And,the kitchen floor is another place we know that can have a high concentration of germs. Here’s another myth related to the kitchen floor: the “five-second rule.” The rule is: If you drop some food on the floor, but you pick it up within five seconds,

then it’s still OK to eat it. That’s not valid, of course. As soon as the food touches the floor, it comes into contact with bacteria. This usually means it’s unsafe to eat.

HOST: We’re out of time. Thank you, Dr. Mitchell. To recap概括一下: Germs are everywhere; not all germs are dangerous. Money’s not likely to make us sick, but the kitchen might.