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
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.
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66points
#2
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.
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46points
#3
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.
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43points
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
Honestly, the hours people have to work just to survive. You become fatigued , financially stressed which leads to mental health issues.
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41points
#5
I am a Ph.D. psychologist who works in primary care. Off of the top of my head:
-People relying on caffeine way too much, and not sleeping.
-Everyone thinks they have ADHD while simultaneously they don't sleep enough, have untreated trauma, use substances etc., these things need to be dealt with first.
-Anti-vax attitudes are through the roof. People are skipping things that frighten me.
-People relying on caffeine way too much, and not sleeping.
-Everyone thinks they have ADHD while simultaneously they don't sleep enough, have untreated trauma, use substances etc., these things need to be dealt with first.
-Anti-vax attitudes are through the roof. People are skipping things that frighten me.
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37points
#6
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.
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34points
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
Anti-Vax is now becoming Anti-medication. There are people in the heart attack groups I'm part of that are actively trying to get people to stop taking their meds. Its absolutely insane.
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34points
#8
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.
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32points
#9
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!
32points
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
Probably not the kind of doctor that you meant, but in the college students that I teach, I see an inability to problem solve due primarily to instant gratification via the internet. You want an answer? You click a button. If that doesn't work, a decent percentage of my students will simply surrender. Had an intern simply not do a project because the printer needed a paper refill and she didn't know where to go to get more paper. (It was in the cabinet behind her). Didn't mention it to anyone, ask anyone, or even tell me she wasn't going to do it so I knew. Just didn't do it and I found out the day I needed it. I get emails all the time from students asking questions that could easily be solved by reading the directions, syllabus, or even thinking "oh I don't remember this concept... I'm going to go back and check the reading again." Most of them don't do that. They email me and expect me to be their personal Google search or they don't do it at all. Which brings me to #2: because everything comes to them in bite-sized chunks, they struggle with things like reading (even directions) and lectures. The focus and concentration just isn't there. The internet did not do kind things to our current generation of kids and those of us who are seeing them for the first time as adults are seeing the results of it in real time.
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31points
#11
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.
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30points
#12
Parents refusing vitamin K shots for newborns, putting babies at risk for dangerous bleeding. It seems to gets lumped in with vaccine refusal. .
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30points
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
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).
29points
#14
1. Testosterone. I’m starting to think every guy will end up on roids now.
2. People blaming everything on ADHD because they watched some tiktok videos and think they have it too and that it explains everything wrong in their life.
3. People taking ozempic and then eating like trash and get surprise when they regain all their weight after stopping it.
2. People blaming everything on ADHD because they watched some tiktok videos and think they have it too and that it explains everything wrong in their life.
3. People taking ozempic and then eating like trash and get surprise when they regain all their weight after stopping it.
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29points
#15
Not a doctor (yes yes), but people saying sun doesn’t cause cancer and the whole anti sunscreen movement.
The beachiest, warm and sunniest climate in australia, Queensland, also happens to be the melanoma capital of the world.
The amount of cancers I’ve seen cut out of peers and parents from there is insane!
The beachiest, warm and sunniest climate in australia, Queensland, also happens to be the melanoma capital of the world.
The amount of cancers I’ve seen cut out of peers and parents from there is insane!
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28points
#16
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.
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26points
#17
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.
26points
#18
Not quite a new trend but my dad who’s a doctor is not a fan of e-scooters 😅he’s seen too many injuries from them . Therefore I never ride them.
26points
#19
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.
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23points
#20
Orthorexia.
Normal food is fine. Eat plants, mostly. Fresh things if you can. Your body will even things out over time. It evolved to do that, and has been quite successful at it for a few 100.000 years at least. It is NOT necessary to bombard it with daily supplements, high-dose micro-super-whatevers and huge amounts of protein.
Seriously, people eat as if they were in some extreme sports competition when they're just getting ready for a day at the office.
Wasting so much mental effort on eating *perfectly* every day is an eating disorder.
Normal food is fine. Eat plants, mostly. Fresh things if you can. Your body will even things out over time. It evolved to do that, and has been quite successful at it for a few 100.000 years at least. It is NOT necessary to bombard it with daily supplements, high-dose micro-super-whatevers and huge amounts of protein.
Seriously, people eat as if they were in some extreme sports competition when they're just getting ready for a day at the office.
Wasting so much mental effort on eating *perfectly* every day is an eating disorder.
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23points