Comments on: Sick Myths

By: Byron

Byron — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 18:30:31 +0000

Owen- the Vick’s on the sole of your feet does work. It helps to wear socks when you do it.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 16:28:35 +0000

My dentist uses these huge contraptions to stick the x-ray films in place and they make everyone gag. The hygenist told me to breath through my nose and then pick my feet up off the dental chair and look at them. For whatever reason (distratction?), doing these things stopped me from gagging.

By: Stephanie Kelley

Stephanie Kelley — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 03:31:41 +0000

One remedy I’ve heard for fighting off a cough is to put Vick’s vapor rub on the soles of your feet (yes, I thought it was crazy, too).

Something about that area being more absorbent. I haven’t tried it out yet, but I’m almost excited to see if it’ll work.

By: Owen

Owen — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 17:44:35 +0000

In 1975 I took a first aid course offered by the Red Cross. At that time resuscitation consisted of pulling the prone patients arms over the head and then back to their side. It was believed to cause the thoracic cavity to expand and then relax thereby causing air to be exchanged. I never saw it used and don’t believe it to be that effective. Thankfully we now have CPR.

By: Sara

Sara — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 22:45:11 +0000

The back blows/abdominal thrusts for choking victims is only if they have an obstructed airway. If someone is still coughing, you shouldn’t hit their back or do the heimlich, just encourage them to keep coughing until they can breathe again. as for the arms in the air thing… my mom always said that and it may have helped but I don’t know if it’s medically acurate.

By: Kasee

Kasee — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 14:17:27 +0000

One day when I had a coughing fit my mom said, “Sniff really hard!” and it seemed to work. Ever heard of that one?

By: Sandy

Sandy — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 13:56:37 +0000

Cavalaxis — different sources have it shown different ways, but according to Cecil Adams, who’s done some research, Jason’s version is the original one.

Visit The Straight Dope online and search their archives for “feed a cold, starve a fever.” The explanation’s in there.

By: KJ

KJ — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 12:28:14 +0000

Just took my level 2 First Aid Training test last night from the American Red Cross. When the victim is choking you give 5 firm blows to the back and then 5 abdominal thrusts. Repeat until object is expelled or victim falls unconscious. If unconscious, begin CPR. Nothing was mentioned about lifting anyone’s arms.

By: greenstrawberries

greenstrawberries — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 05:02:37 +0000

Lifting your arms over your head while coughing actually works, it’s because when you lift your arms it’s easier to get air into your lungs. (or that’s how I understood it)

By: cavalaxis

cavalaxis — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 04:40:41 +0000

Actually, it’s “Starve a cold, feed a fever.” And it isn’t an either/or statement. The sentiment is that you need to keep your strength up by eating when you have a cold, when your sense of smell is depressed and food doesn’t taste as good. If you don’t keep your strength up, you’ll only sicker, i.e. a fever.

So to read the myth correctly, “If you starve a cold, you’re only feeding a fever.”