With so much easily accessible information online, you would think everyone would be an expert in physical and mental health, diet, and fitness. However, medical professionals are seeing a huge number of worrying trends these days, and they are genuinely getting scared for the future of humanity.
Doctors took to a very candid online thread to list all the health trends they’re watching become increasingly common, and they’re getting worried. Take a look at what keeps these professionals up at night. It’s a good reminder to always prioritize your health and look after your present and future self.
#1
I’ll preface this by saying that I’m Gen X so my view of this is through that lens.
I work in psychiatry. I have a lot of concerns about teens and young adults. Specifically:
-The impacts of social media/Tik Tok, AI, etc on attention span, overall cognition, independent problem solving, patience.
-Helicopter parents. This one is huge. This type of parenting really handicaps the kid long term. It creates a weird dependency on the parent and prevents individuation, self sufficiency and the development of the skills to live a full life.
I worry about what the future will look like.
I work in psychiatry. I have a lot of concerns about teens and young adults. Specifically:
-The impacts of social media/Tik Tok, AI, etc on attention span, overall cognition, independent problem solving, patience.
-Helicopter parents. This one is huge. This type of parenting really handicaps the kid long term. It creates a weird dependency on the parent and prevents individuation, self sufficiency and the development of the skills to live a full life.
I worry about what the future will look like.
Report
8points
#2
Med student here, the amount of people that take some sort of supplement, and don't even think to mention it to their doctor when asked about any medication they use regularly, is insane.
It may not be medication per se (it's often the exact opposite), but it can definitely have a big impact on your health, and your doctor should know about it!
It may not be medication per se (it's often the exact opposite), but it can definitely have a big impact on your health, and your doctor should know about it!
8points
#3
Honestly, the hours people have to work just to survive. You become fatigued , financially stressed which leads to mental health issues.
Report
8points
One major concern is the mass use and misuse of energy drinks among kids, not just young adults. In the United States alone, there are over 500 energy drink products on the market. Sales are expected to exceed $50 billion by 2033.
Johns Hopkins Medicine stresses that a whopping third of teenagers aged 12 to 17 consume energy drinks regularly. The worry here is that this will lead to a proliferation of health issues due to excess caffeine, sugar, and “energy booster” herbs and other substances.
Dehydration is just the tip of the iceberg. Energy drinks can also lead to elevated blood pressure, abnormal electrical activity in the heart, and general heart problems.
#4
The number one for me is the increasing influence of all the woo-woo alternative health stuff, but especially Anti-Vaxxers. Had to treat a case of freaking Diptheria not long ago. Diptheria has been gone for so long they didn't even really teach it to us at med school beyond "this used to be a big deal but you'll probably never see it".
F anti-vaxxers. I don't care so much if their choices only harm them, but when their kids are dying it pisses me off so much.
F anti-vaxxers. I don't care so much if their choices only harm them, but when their kids are dying it pisses me off so much.
Report
8points
#5
Energy drinks as a daily survival tool and people treating 3 to 4 hours of sleep like a personality trait is getting kinda scary. Bodies are not meant to run on that combo forever.
Report
7points
#6
Work in health tech and some of the notable themes coming through from our analysis work:
Referral to mental healthcare providers for work related stress
Output of templated letters for insurers and occupational health providers for stress leave attributed to the workplace
Referral to cardiologist/neuro specialists for high blood pressure, increased risk of cardiovascular disease and risk of stroke also attributed to workplace stress or sedentary lifestyle
Turns out that employers telling workers to “do more with less”, coupled with hybrid or fully remote work, as well as the general fear around the current job market has led to intense stress and burnout and the physiological and psychological impacts are brewing right now.
Referral to mental healthcare providers for work related stress
Output of templated letters for insurers and occupational health providers for stress leave attributed to the workplace
Referral to cardiologist/neuro specialists for high blood pressure, increased risk of cardiovascular disease and risk of stroke also attributed to workplace stress or sedentary lifestyle
Turns out that employers telling workers to “do more with less”, coupled with hybrid or fully remote work, as well as the general fear around the current job market has led to intense stress and burnout and the physiological and psychological impacts are brewing right now.
Report
7points
Most healthy adults can safely consume up to 400 mg of caffeine per day. Meanwhile, teenagers should not consume over 100 mg per day.
Research shows that from 2022 to 203 there was a 24.2% increase in cases of kids and teens being exposed to energy drinks. In the vast majority of cases (78%), children did not even realize they were consuming energy drinks. In other words, their exposure was unintentional.
In the meantime, between 2017 and 2023, doctors saw a doubling of emergency room visits related to consuming too much caffeine or adverse effects.
#7
The number of younger people showing up with preventable health issues from being sedentary is way higher than most people realize. Sitting all day is becoming the new smoking in terms of long term damage.
Report
7points
#8
I’m a family doc and frankly the thing that scares me the most that’s cropped up quite significantly (in my patient population, at least) is people using online services to get prescription meds then not telling me or any of their other doctors. I’ve had patients tell me they only take the blood pressure med I give them, then later find out they’re also on testosterone, viagra, Ozempic, and all kinds of other stuff. Makes giving any medical advice really tough when I’m not certain what someone is on.
Report
7points
#9
Pediatrics resident here. I see a concerning amount of vaccine preventable illnesses. Rotavirus (this is an oral vaccine. Not even a poke) and pertussis are becoming increasingly common.
I’ve had the same conversation about vaccinations with so many of these parents and I’m met with the same pretentious smile and stare. They just wait for me to finish and then spew some nonsense about what they know of vaccines. Often times they are incredibly rude about it too. Some parents have responded very positively though. Sometimes it’s genuine fear and lack of information that led to that decision and at the end of the day, they are trying to look out for the health of their child (as am I).
When I sense one of the types that I know won’t listen to a word I say, I’ve begun to just start with a “this is a vaccine preventable illness. Is there anything I can say that might change your mind about getting your child vaccinated?” Most of the time they just say “No.”
We are at a point that people are unwilling to listen to evidence. They’ve made their “informed” decision based on “research” they’ve done online, and are unwilling to hear anything that contradicts it. Not even the fact that their kid could be admitted for days to weeks on end is going to sway their opinion.
It’s absolutely mind-boggling to me the way some of their minds work. Feels like they’re putting their pride over their own children’s health.
I’ve had the same conversation about vaccinations with so many of these parents and I’m met with the same pretentious smile and stare. They just wait for me to finish and then spew some nonsense about what they know of vaccines. Often times they are incredibly rude about it too. Some parents have responded very positively though. Sometimes it’s genuine fear and lack of information that led to that decision and at the end of the day, they are trying to look out for the health of their child (as am I).
When I sense one of the types that I know won’t listen to a word I say, I’ve begun to just start with a “this is a vaccine preventable illness. Is there anything I can say that might change your mind about getting your child vaccinated?” Most of the time they just say “No.”
We are at a point that people are unwilling to listen to evidence. They’ve made their “informed” decision based on “research” they’ve done online, and are unwilling to hear anything that contradicts it. Not even the fact that their kid could be admitted for days to weeks on end is going to sway their opinion.
It’s absolutely mind-boggling to me the way some of their minds work. Feels like they’re putting their pride over their own children’s health.
Report
7points
The Harvard Medical School warns that it is safest to avoid energy drinks if you are underage, have heart problems, or suffer from blood pressure issues.
It’s much safer to opt for a cup of tea or coffee if you need energy. But the healthiest alternative is to live an active, healthy lifestyle where you get plenty of movement and proper sleep, and eat a varied, balanced diet.
Meanwhile, Johns Hopkins Medicine adds that you should choose water over other drinks to stay hydrated. If you’re not a big fan of water, you can also opt for diluted fruit juice, low-fat milk, or unsweetened coconut water.
#10
I was at a kids' birthday party the other day, and this "dad" brought his 7 year old kid. The hostess (mom of the birthday boy) said "You look tired little Billy, everything okay?" He just had this kind of dazed stupefied look and said "yeah, I'm okay, just tired." His dad says "don't worry, I brought some Red Bull for him."
I looked at the dad to see if he was joking, nope. Kid chugged a Red Bull and was off the rails for the next 3 hours.
I looked at the dad to see if he was joking, nope. Kid chugged a Red Bull and was off the rails for the next 3 hours.
6points
#11
Family doc here.
General distrust of medicine.
I recommend starting a statin to reduce cholesterol and lower heart attack/stroke risk? “Oh, I read online statins cause cancer, I’ll just try to eat better, doc” (spoiler: they never do)
I recommend getting pneumonia/shingles vaccines now that you’re over 50? “I don’t trust that stuff, do you know what they put in them?”
Then in the same breath they’ll ask for a GLP-1 but not want to actually make any lifestyle changes.
General distrust of medicine.
I recommend starting a statin to reduce cholesterol and lower heart attack/stroke risk? “Oh, I read online statins cause cancer, I’ll just try to eat better, doc” (spoiler: they never do)
I recommend getting pneumonia/shingles vaccines now that you’re over 50? “I don’t trust that stuff, do you know what they put in them?”
Then in the same breath they’ll ask for a GLP-1 but not want to actually make any lifestyle changes.
Report
6points
#12
Influencer medicine …
What I cannot fathom is how readily people trust, “I’m oBsEsSeD with this XYZ,” “my hair/skin/sleep has never been betterrrrr,” delivered in a haze of vocal fry by someone with a financial incentive, whose last obsession was 15 minutes ago and whose next one is already on deck being negotiated.
We routinely struggle to convince people with large, independently funded, multicentre, double-blind trials involving thousands of participants. As if all they hear is one person’s recommendation. Yet an N=1 anecdote from a stranger with a discount code and the speech affectation of an adolescent seeking belonging cuts straight through. Psychologists have known for decades that vivid stories are more persuasive than statistics, and that confidence often masquerades as competence. We are wired for anecdotes, not evidence. And for those who forego their logical brains and give in to that “wiring” as feels and vibes in some preferential fashion of a truth test, it can be absolutely exhausting to attempt to challenge their literally baseless pointless belief system.
I will admit, I understand how difficult it is. We spend countless hours teaching even medical residents how to critically appraise research. And to those without knowledge, complex machines and thoughts can appear as magic. But the growing rejection of the scientific method is deeply troubling. Science is not a belief system. It is a process designed to find the truth, test it, challenge it, replicate it, and keep testing it again.
A civilisation that loses faith in that process is not progressing. It is drifting back toward the dark ages, one influencer recommendation at a time with their cancel culture and attacks on science being no different that past inquisitions. A fitting punishment would be to have every tool and comfort provided to them by science removed ….
What I cannot fathom is how readily people trust, “I’m oBsEsSeD with this XYZ,” “my hair/skin/sleep has never been betterrrrr,” delivered in a haze of vocal fry by someone with a financial incentive, whose last obsession was 15 minutes ago and whose next one is already on deck being negotiated.
We routinely struggle to convince people with large, independently funded, multicentre, double-blind trials involving thousands of participants. As if all they hear is one person’s recommendation. Yet an N=1 anecdote from a stranger with a discount code and the speech affectation of an adolescent seeking belonging cuts straight through. Psychologists have known for decades that vivid stories are more persuasive than statistics, and that confidence often masquerades as competence. We are wired for anecdotes, not evidence. And for those who forego their logical brains and give in to that “wiring” as feels and vibes in some preferential fashion of a truth test, it can be absolutely exhausting to attempt to challenge their literally baseless pointless belief system.
I will admit, I understand how difficult it is. We spend countless hours teaching even medical residents how to critically appraise research. And to those without knowledge, complex machines and thoughts can appear as magic. But the growing rejection of the scientific method is deeply troubling. Science is not a belief system. It is a process designed to find the truth, test it, challenge it, replicate it, and keep testing it again.
A civilisation that loses faith in that process is not progressing. It is drifting back toward the dark ages, one influencer recommendation at a time with their cancel culture and attacks on science being no different that past inquisitions. A fitting punishment would be to have every tool and comfort provided to them by science removed ….
Report
6points
What do you do to stay healthy, fit, and educated? What unhealthy habits do you struggle with the most?
What are some creepy and scary health and lifestyle trends, pushed by influencers, celebrities, or companies, that you personally think are the most dangerous, and why? How do you protect yourself from hyped up new health trends these days?
Share your experiences, insights, and wisdom with all of us in the comments at the bottom of this post.
#13
Parents who don't give their kids the proper vaccinations. I mean the standard ones, MMR, polio ect.
I can understand not wanting a flu shot or covid shot, but these full anti vaxxers are putting so many young lives at risk its crazy.
I can understand not wanting a flu shot or covid shot, but these full anti vaxxers are putting so many young lives at risk its crazy.
Report
6points
#14
I swear if i see one more patient coming in with liver failure from "parasite cleanses" they bought on tiktok im gonna lose my mind.
6points
#15
Freebirthing is on the rise because the body knows what to do (really is that why maternal/infant passings were so high in the good old days?), most get away with it, every now and then you get a passed or seriously ill baby and mother.
Oh we're worried about the cascade of medical interventions that might happen if we get monitored in labour. Well congrats, your obstructed labour and sepsis means we're going to suggest them all so you don't pass away.
Oh we're worried about the cascade of medical interventions that might happen if we get monitored in labour. Well congrats, your obstructed labour and sepsis means we're going to suggest them all so you don't pass away.
Report
6points
#17
I had a discussion on a related topic with my GP. He had added a PSA check to my labs and didn't want to "scare me" into thinking he suspected prostate cancer.
Then out of nowhere, he mentioned that he had a lot of older patients who were refusing to get routine cancer checks like colonoscopies or endoscopies (or PSA level checks). But the justification wasn't that they didn't want the procedures. It was that
"didn't want to spend money on treatment because they needed to leave it to their kids and grandkids."
In essence, Boomers are refusing to even *check* for cancer because they don't want to spend money on treatment because their kids and grandkids are struggling financially.
Someone in the hospice industry is going to figure out how to capitalize on this trend. I guarantee it.
Then out of nowhere, he mentioned that he had a lot of older patients who were refusing to get routine cancer checks like colonoscopies or endoscopies (or PSA level checks). But the justification wasn't that they didn't want the procedures. It was that
"didn't want to spend money on treatment because they needed to leave it to their kids and grandkids."
In essence, Boomers are refusing to even *check* for cancer because they don't want to spend money on treatment because their kids and grandkids are struggling financially.
Someone in the hospice industry is going to figure out how to capitalize on this trend. I guarantee it.
Report
6points
#18
People working long hours and/or several jobs to afford bare bones living, and then having no energy to exercise, cook healthy meals or socialize afterwards. Society may praise "hustle culture" but that is going to catch up to everyone eventually.
(I'm a therapist, not a doctor).
(I'm a therapist, not a doctor).
Report
6points
#19
The whole "only need 4 hours of sleep and a monster to function" thing is wild, like congrats on the badge of honor but your heart's about to unionize and walk out. anti-vax stuff terrifies me too, especially the parents who skip the basics and just gamble with their kid's life for clout. and honestly the burnout pipeline from work straight to a cardiologist is way too real, we're all just ignoring the warning signs until something pops.
Report
6points
#20
Everyone buying the $500 vitamin supplements that do nothing.
Report
5points