Myths
True or false: Honey is a healthier sweetener than regular sugar and high fructose corn syrup
False. Your body processes any sugar the same way no matter how you eat it, whether it is honey, sugar, or high fructose corn syrup. All are bad for diabetes and weight gain.
How many minutes of physical activity should you get a day?
You should be active for 30 minutes at least 5 days per week. Physical activity can be anything from cleaning the house to walking to your favorite sport.
How are infectious diseases, such as colds and influenza, most commonly spread?
The most common way to catch infectious illnesses is to touch the mouth, nose, or eyes with hands that are contaminated with germs such as virus or bacteria
Should you ask your doctor to prescribe you medical marijuana?
Some common uses for medical marijuana include treatment for pain, nausea, or glaucoma. Johns Hopkins policy is to not prescribe medical marijuana. If you are thinking about getting medical marijuana, talk to your PCP because there are risks associated with using it.
Do you have to call your doctor for a refill if you run out of pills in your pill bottle?
Check if there are refills listed on the bottle. If there are, then you can call the pharmacy for a refill.
How can you tell if you are drinking enough water?
Your body will tell you how much water you need. You should drink water when you are thirsty and enough so that your urine is a light yellow. However, if you have heart disease or kidney disease, your doctor will tell you if you need to limit the amount of water you drink.
Should you avoid carbs?
It depends. There are good carbs (like brown rice or whole wheat bread) and there are bad carbs (like potato chips or pizza). You should choose good carbs over bad carbs as much as you can.
Name 2 things that you can do to prevent diabetes
Getting physical activity, eating right, talking to your doctor about certain medicines to prevent diabetes
How can you tell if your testosterone level is low? DAILY DOUBLE
Symptoms of low testosterone include decreased muscle mass, decreased energy, decreased libido, increased body fat, erectile dysfunction, trouble concentrating, and depression. It can be treated with testosterone injections or topical gel.
Is it possible to get your medications delivered?
Yes. Some retail pharmacies, like Rite Aid, charge a delivery fee. Other pharmacies, like Johns Hopkins, can delivery for free.
True or false: Green snot means a bacterial infection and yellow snot a viral one.
False: any infection will cause a change in color in your snot. The color will not tell you if it is viral or bacterial or whether you will need antibiotics.
Which foods are better for you: regular or organic?
Organic foods are not necessarily healthier or more nutritious for you. The most important thing is to eat fruits and vegetables. Buying them at Aldi or Giant is just as good as Whole Foods and a lot cheaper!
Chronic stress has been linked to which of these health problems:
A. Headaches
B. Constipation
C. Depression
D. All of the above
D
Should you be worried if it takes you a long time to pee or takes a while to start.
This can be a sign of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is when the prostate is enlarged. This can often happen to men as they age, and the symptoms can be treated with medicine.
Name 3 phone or computer apps you can use to track your health
1. Weight loss apps (e.g., MyFitnessPal)
2. Diabetes apps (e.g., Sugar Sense)
3. My Chart
4. Exercise apps (Sworkit)
Will skipping meals help you lose weight? DAILY DOUBLE
No, skipping meals will not help you lose weight and might cause weight gain because it slows your body's metabolism.
Can you do "spot reduction" and reduce fat in one area, like your stomach?
No, if you do exercises like crunches, it will not reduce the fat in that area. You have to watch what you eat and be active regularly.
How often should men get screened for prostate cancer?
It depends. Men over the age of 55 should talk to their doctor about getting a PSA blood test every 2-4 years. Men who are African American or have a family history of prostate cancer are at higher risk of getting prostate cancer.
What causes erectile dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction at any age may relate to:
It can be treated by addressing the underlying problem and with medications
What is your favorite alternative to going to the Emergency Room for quicker care for less serious conditions, like tooth pain or colds?
Options include your PCP, urgent care clinics like Patient First, or pharmacy clinics like the CVS minute clinic
How many steps a day should you get for physical activity?
As few as 5,000 steps per day were shown to be beneficial for people.
What is the highest amount of added sugar (like in cake or soda) you should have per day?
You should eat no more than 37.5 grams (which is the same as 9 teaspoons) per day. Women should eat no more than 25 grams or 6 teaspoons per day. A 12 ounce soda has about 40 grams of sugar.
True or false: the flu shot will make you sick.
False: the flu shot will not make you sick after you get it. It cannot cause the flu because it does not contain a live virus. It may activate your immune system, which can make you feel a little under the weather (soreness, headache, fever, nausea) for a day or two. You also can still catch the common cold, even if you get the flu shot.
What are symptoms of depression in men?
Men are more likely to experience fatigue, irritability, and loss of interest in work or hobbies, rather than feelings of sadness or worthlessness, if they are depressed
List 3 things you can do with My Chart
1. Communicate with your provider
2. Check your test results
3. Check your upcoming appointments and schedule new ones
4. Request renewals of prescriptions.