18 Mind-Blowing Things Health Professionals Told Us This Year

Medical breakthroughs and newsworthy innovations are a mainstay at Columbia, but often dentists, doctors, nurses and other health care professionals share information that’s simply new to you, the patient of the moment.  

From when to brush your teeth to plant-based diets to people who cannot burp, here’s what we learned in 2022 that we can’t stop sharing.   

1. Candy can teach a child how to swallow a pill.

   • Read more: How to teach a child to swallow a pill

2. A consistent sleep pattern is better for your heart.

   • Read more: Sleep Is Good for Your Heart  

3. Among people over age 65, 22% have cognitive impairment and 10% have dementia. 

   • Read more: One in 10 Older Americans Has Dementia

4. Nasal congestion is about swelling, not snot.  

   • Read more: Everything you ever wanted to know about stuffy and runny noses

5. The chances you have prediabetes right now are high. 

   • Read more: You May Have Prediabetes and Not Know It   

6. If you have dense breasts (half of women do!), you have a slightly elevated risk of developing breast cancer and may benefit from additional imaging tests.

   • Read more: Dense Breasts Explained 

7. Migraine is not a headache.  

   • Read more: Why your head hurts

8. Dairy, eggs, beef, poultry, and fish are allowed on a plant-based diet. 

   • Read more: What is a plant-based diet, and is it healthy?

9. Lower back pain could be a sign of heart failure.  

   • Read more: Common Back Ailment Could Be Sign of Heart Failure

10. A prenatal genetic test may save time and thousands of dollars.  

    • Read more: New Prenatal Test Can Reduce Time, Cost of Detecting Chromosomal Abnormalities 

11. The worst candy for your teeth is so obvious. 

    • Read more: Trick or Treat: What a Dentist Gives Out for Halloween

12. Perimenopause can last four to 10 years.   

    • Read more: Everything you need to know about perimenopause

13. Some people in their 20s still see a pediatrician. 

    • Read more: How old is too old to see a pediatrician? 

14. Brainwave analysis could completely change management of brain injury.    

    • Read more: Hidden Consciousness Detectable with EEG Just Days after Brain Injury

15. Some people cannot burp.

    • Read more: This is what happens when you cannot burp, ever

16. Before the COVID pandemic 10% of adults and 20% of teens and young adults had depression.  

    • Read more: Nearly One in Ten Americans Reports Having Depression

17. Sugar alters the gut’s microbes. 

    • Read more: Sugar Disrupts Microbiome, Eliminates Protection Against Obesity and Diabetes

18. Brushing immediately after eating can damage your teeth.

    • Read more: Brushing immediately after meals? You may want to wait