Everyone enjoys funny TikTok videos, but often people are turning to this medium of entertainment for advice. There are thousands of videos that promote unconventional health and wellness trends that have no scientific backing and can often be harmful if done incorrectly. “Social media should be used with extreme caution when obtaining information related to health and well-being,” says David Hill, MD, director of clinical research at Waterbury Pulmonary Associates.
“Health care professionals undergo years of education and have professional certification and licensure to ensure that the information they provide to patients is scientifically based and up to date.” But many people turn to the Internet for answers to their problems rather than discussing them directly with their healthcare provider.
We looked at some trendy topics to find out just how dangerous the TikTok drug can be.
Dangers of Dry Scooping
Dry scooping is the practice of putting a pre-workout supplement, creatine or protein powder directly into the mouth, without mixing it with water or any other liquid before consuming it. This trend started due to claims on social media that dry scooping before exercise leads to faster absorption and a greater increase in energy. But this is not only not effective but also extremely unsafe.
Most pre-workout powders are loaded with caffeine and other stimulants. When used traditionally – mixed with water and drunk over a period of time – they claim to supercharge your system and provide sustained energy as your body slowly absorbs the product. However, if swallowed directly, dry scooping can cause absorption of the powder into your lungs, potentially leading to pneumonia, airway swelling, coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. This can cause direct irritation of the throat and esophagus and worsen dental disease.
Dr. David Hill explains, “There are no proven benefits and no scientific evidence to support the claims of dry scooping.” “But there have been reports of heart attacks and other cardiovascular events due to taking high doses of the stimulants in some workout powders.” This is because caffeine has a very rapid and concentrated effect on the system, increasing heart rate and blood pressure.
“Supplements should always be used according to label directions and, ideally, the use of any supplement should be discussed with your health care professional.”
Dangers of Mouth Taping
Closing your mouth while sleeping has become a popular trend supported by celebrities and social media influencers. Claims of benefits range from improving your sleep to changing the appearance of your jaw. But no scientific evidence has validated any of these claims, and the risks are significant. The goal of mouth taping is to promote breathing through the nose instead of the mouth. But there are many reasons why a person may not be able to breathe through their nose and making mouth breathing difficult can be dangerous. Especially for people with sleep apnea, chronic nasal congestion or other structural airway problems, placing tape over your mouth can disrupt the flow of air to your brain and body. a study It was even found that closing your mouth in this manner could pose a “serious risk of suffocation.”
More than 30 million people in the US have sleep apnea, although many remain undiagnosed. This sleep disorder, which can cause snoring, results in a person’s breathing stopping when he or she is sleeping. “Sleep apnea is a significant chronic medical problem that can become life-threatening over time, and snoring may be a sign of sleep apnea in some patients,” says Dr. Hill. “The best way to address snoring and sleep-related complaints is to consult a medical professional before trying home remedies.”
Disadvantages of putting garlic in nose
Some influential people swear by home remedies for colds, and putting a clove of garlic in your nose to clear a blocked nose is one such suggestion. Although in the viral video mucus is seen coming out from someone’s nose after taking out a clove, the reason for this is worrying. Experts agree that garlic not only doesn’t help nasal congestion, it can also cause it.
Garlic contains ingredients that can irritate the delicate mucous membranes in your nose, causing your nose to produce more mucus as a defense mechanism. Additionally, inhaling garlic into the nose can damage the lining of the nose, causing inflammation, nose bleeding, and even infection. Garlic cloves can also get stuck in the nasal passages, causing difficulty in breathing.
Dr. Hill jokes, “There is no evidence that putting garlic in the nose or smelling garlic is beneficial (except maybe Transylvania). “There are approved over-the-counter medications that can help treat nasal congestion when used as directed. If symptoms such as nasal congestion persist, talk to your healthcare provider.”
The takeaway is clear. If you need health or wellness advice, it is best to discuss any issues directly with a health care professional. If you want to consult an online source, make sure it is reputable and that the information is based on scientific facts. Hospitals and healthcare systems, professional organizations, and non-profit organizations are good places to start.
Learn more here www.Lung.org.
