Some responses were pulled from this Reddit thread by u/Sea_Fig1387.
Note: Obviously, we can’t verify if these are real medical professionals; if you have a medical question, seek advice from your GP.
1. “Not taking care of your feet. I have regularly seen older patients come into the hospital with very long toenails and nail fungus that HAS to be a 20-year (at least) case. I know the older folks are often on a fixed income, but Medicare pays for a podiatrist to do nail trims. This is not a luxury. If you can’t reach your feet, see a podiatrist regularly. There are treatments that work.”
“As we age, often the blood vessels in our legs aren’t optimal, so it’s important to address issues early. Ingrown toenails and fungus can present — or indicate — other problems.”
—Anonymous, 63, Utah
2. “Not taking your blood pressure often. High blood pressure has no symptoms and will cause damage over time. If it’s common in your family, it doesn’t matter if you are ‘too young.’ It causes strokes, kidney damage, and increased strain on your heart. Knowledge is power!”
3. “Sit back and use the backrest in your chair. Your lower back will thank you for it.”
Oscar Wong / Getty Images
4. “Not wearing sunscreen. Sunscreen does not cause cancer!”
5. “Overly indulging in ultra-processed sweets. Yes, I know, they are delicious. But these ultra-processed foods are filled with stuff that will, yes, WILL, cause cancer, heart disease, etc. If you like them, make your own with honey or maple syrup (both harmless) as sugar substitutes.”
—Anonymous, 44, New York
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6. “Not flossing. We can tell you don’t floss. Always floss!!! Think of it this way: When you poop, you clean between your ass because you want to be clean. Floss between your teeth and get the gunk out. Because, yes. It stinks.”
—Anonymous
7. “I have a PhD in psychology/neuroscience. You NEED to get enough sleep and do so regularly. You’re setting yourself up for serious cardiac and neurological problems later in life if you’re constantly accumulating sleep debt now. If you’re one of those people who thinks they don’t need much sleep or are too busy to get enough sleep, try getting at least seven to eight hours per night for two straight weeks. You’ll see you’re more effective at work (less distracted, less error-prone) and emotionally centered.”
“If you have anxiety-related issues that keep you from sleeping, start exercising (elevated heart rate and preferably work up a bit of a sweat) at least three times per week.”
8. “I’m an ortho surgeon. Exercise. It’s the biggest difference I see in my patients — 90-year-olds who feel and act 65, and 65-year-olds who act and feel 90. I see it in my office every day. The difference is exercise. You don’t have to do anything wild. Just do something, and be consistent.”
“I will also add that in my opinion, the majority of arthritis is genetic programming (not age, weight, sports, etc.), and the only thing that slows it down is, you guessed it, exercise. No cure for arthritis, and nothing significant on the horizon for it.”
Juan Algar / Getty Images
9. “I’m a medical assistant in a gynecology office. Remember to get your pap smears and yearly exams! It takes about 10 years for cervical cancer to develop (from HPV), and it’s highly preventable. Most people avoid getting them because they’re scared of the pain. It’s one minute of discomfort! Early detection of atypical cervical cells is life-saving (and very treatable). Be kind to your nether regions!”
—Anonymous, 24, Colorado
10. “Oral health is often overlooked, so this is for anyone who uses a manual toothbrush: If you can afford it, buy a cheap electric toothbrush. Most people aren’t great with their toothbrush technique, and an electric toothbrush makes it much easier to get plaque off.”
“Just two minutes each time, twice a day. Point the bristles toward the gum line at a 45-degree angle, and let the electric toothbrush do its magic!”
11. “Use earplugs and preserve your hearing for as long as possible. Noise-induced hearing loss is the #1 preventable hearing loss. Untreated hearing loss is the #1 modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia.”
“Mowing the lawn? Earplugs. Attending a concert or even a loud bar with live music? Earplugs. Shooting a gun (yes, even just one shot)? Earplugs. Earplugs come in pretty styles and designs these days. Spend a few extra dollars on the musician’s earplugs to maintain good speech understanding. Earplugs are cool. Protect your ears!”
12. “Avoid stress! So many conditions/diseases are flared up by it, and the long-term effects of constantly elevated cortisol take a toll on the body. Meditation is a great way to do it: Just sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes, take some deep breaths, and really pay attention to your body. Also, doing some light to moderate exercise is the cherry on top. Sincerely, a friendly family med doc.”
13. “Family medicine doctor here! Please see your primary care doctor! Early detection of hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, and high cholesterol, among others, is crucial! The damage these conditions can do to your body is very serious! I have many patients with heart failure, kidney failure, or with serious diabetic complications due to these conditions being uncontrolled!”
“Never skip yearly checkups with bloodwork, along with regular diagnostics at various ages and risk profiles, including colonoscopy, EKG, chest X-ray, prostate check, mammogram, etc. There isn’t much that can kill you that pops up out of nowhere. There are usually signs that things are going south years in advance, and these risks can be mitigated with early intervention.”
14. “Wear your seatbelts and helmets! They’re ubiquitous for a reason, and you’re not too cool for a life-altering injury/injuries.”
And finally…15. “I’m a registered dietitian. People need more fiber!!! Fiber moves the bowels. It decreases your risk of colon cancer, increases satiety (increases’ fullness’), and feeds your gut microbiome (keeps your healthy bacteria thriving, which in turn keeps your immune system healthy and makes specific vitamins).”
Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Whew. Doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals, what other “bad” health habits do people not realize are seriously harmful? Tell us in the comments, or if you prefer to remain anonymous, you can use the form below.
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