Doctors Warn: Stop These Habits Now

  "Harmful" Habits That Are Seriously Impacting Your Well-Being, According to Medical Experts

Recently, we reached out to physicians, researchers, and various health professionals from the BuzzFeed Community to share insights about habits that many underestimate in terms of their detrimental effects on health. The revelations were profoundly enlightening—and I won't sugarcoat it; some were quite alarming. Here’s what they shared:

1. "Get a sleep evaluation if you snore.  Sleep apnea can be lethal. It's not just an annoyance to those nearby; it can actually KILL YOU. Why? Hypertension, excessive daytime fatigue leading to more accidents, depression, anxiety... and hypertension paves the way for heart, kidney, and other vascular problems that can result in organ failure and stroke.

"Neglected sleep apnea can induce excessive daytime drowsiness, risking car collisions, high blood pressure, and potentially heart failure over time.  Talk to your healthcare professional if you snore or feel tired all the time.   

2. "Mixing over-the-counter medications with identical active ingredients, like cough syrup and cold medicine can be hazardous. Both might contain acetaminophen, leading to serious liver damage."

3. "As obvious as it may seem, excessive alcohol consumption is harmful. We all know the repercussions, but let me share an insight from my experience in the ICU: succumbing to alcohol is one of the most painful ways to die. Few contemplate dying slowly, continuously seizing while inebriated. Rarely does anyone consider their entire body turning yellow as they drink after work.

"Very few understand that chronic heavy drinking can cause substantial body swelling, making them unrecognizable after consuming an entire 12-pack nightly."

"As an internal medicine physician, I see numerous repercussions from heavy drinking: severe liver disease with associated neurological conditions, such as hepatic encephalopathy and abdominal fluid accumulation. Alcohol can also lead to cardiomyopathy, early-onset alcohol-induced dementia, and impairments especially affecting the frontal lobe, resulting in issues with impulse control and executive functioning beyond typical Alzheimer's symptoms. Let’s not forget Korsakoff’s psychosis."

4. "Nail biting!!! It introduces loads of bacteria into your system, can damage your teeth, and in extreme situations, may lead to stomach pain and obstructions."

5. "Secondhand smoke. You absorb all the negatives of smoking, just in smaller amounts. But gradually, they accumulate. I’ve encountered individuals with severe lung conditions due to years of living with smokers!"

6. "Without a doubt, the most damaging thing you can do to yourself is smoking. The images on anti-tobacco campaigns hardly convey the true impact on the body.  My coworkers and I see a wide range of illnesses and internal injuries that are associated with smoking, such as tremors, appetite loss, lung cancer, internal bleeding, and more. 

"The dangers of long-term smoking are vast, and we also need to consider environmental repercussions. Please, look at the statistics and CONSIDER QUITTING."

7. "Neglecting to floss as part of oral hygiene is risky. The bacteria can cause bleeding gums and potential tooth loss, and they can also enter your bloodstream. If that happens, significant heart problems or even dementia could arise."

8. "Being underweight is equally unhealthy, if not more so, than being overweight. Underweight individuals are often at a higher risk for severe injuries compared to average or overweight individuals, and recovery times extend. Additionally, they tend to get ill more frequently and experience more pronounced symptoms because their bodies have limited resources to fend off sicknesses, including respiratory infections. Fatigue is also a prevalent issue for those who are underweight."

"Many criticize overweight individuals under the guise of 'concern for their health,' which is hypocritical. Celebrating thinness is deeply damaging."

9. "As a mental health worker, I can attest that the push for overachievement is detrimental to your mental wellness. While achievement ideally boosts self-esteem, the relentless pursuit of excellence can be harmful to both mental and physical health.  It can wear you out and cause burnout. It is common for high-achieving students to have breakdowns.. There is a limit to how much your body and mind can take. It’s better to channel efforts into being your best while balancing that with self-care practices—like ensuring adequate sleep, maintaining a nutritious diet, and allocating time to unwind."

"No one wants to exist as a human doing instead of a human being; it’s vital to be present in the moment without adhering to ceaseless internal demands for greater accomplishments."