Every day we hear in the media of new and frightening health risks – but how much is actually true? Are these recent health claims fact or just fiction?
1. Night light/artificial light causes health problems
Investigations were carried out on studies concerning the effect of night-light for night-shift workers and artificial lights such as LED lights in the bedroom. The researchers claim the results indicate a link between artificial light and the rise of certain Cancers, depression, and obesity.
Researchers claim there has been a surge in cases of these health issues over the past 50 years. They found a possible cause being LAN (light at night) disturbing our body clock enough to bring about the onset of illness.
There is no need to panic, however, as the evidence is purely circumstantial, with there being no definite proof. This appears to be a case of media hype.
2. Epilepsy drug can cure Alzheimer’s
Various newspapers recently reported that the drug, levetiracetam, used to treat epilepsy, can actually slow down the symptoms of dementia, apparently improving brain function.
Firstly, this report was based on one very small study of people with mild symptoms of dementia. The results were encouraging as those who were tested whilst taking 125mg, twice per day for two weeks, demonstrated a marked improvement. However, the results cannot be conclusive, as this was only one study. There are many types of dementia, and different levels of cognitive impairment.
This study is promising, but being in initial stages of research, is nowhere near conclusive.
3. Antibiotics can be correctly prescribed with the help of a new blood test.
The BBC reported that a new blood test could ascertain whether an infection is borne from bacteria or a virus, thus preventing unnecessary use of antibiotics.
Researchers carried out the test on 1002 hospitalised patients, and the results were a success. Unfortunately, more tests need to be administered before this blood test can move forward, for use on the general public.
4. An extra hour of sleep boosts women’s’ libido by 14%
An article was published in the journal of sexual medicine, stating that an extra hour of sleep for women, could increase their sex drive by up to 14%
The study involved 171 women, carried out for two weeks. The results showed that those who had an extra hour than their average 7 hours sleep, claimed to have increased arousal, with a 14% increase of sexual activity.
Again, this study is too small to make any definite assumptions. However, it goes hand in hand that when we are well rested, we are generally in a better frame of mind; therefore the likelihood of a higher sex drive is improved.
5. Loneliness can lead to premature death
Recent media platforms alarmed many people by claiming loneliness is as serious a physical health threat as heavy smoking or obesity. Allegedly, loneliness can raise the chances of premature death by nearly 30%
The studies consisted of over 3.4million people who were socially isolated. Clearly, research of this capacity cannot be ignored. However, the test cannot be conclusive, as it is uncertain whether these people were isolated due to an underlying disease.
Image sources: streetwise, dementiasos