Myth #4: There's A Pill For Every Ill

Unfortunately, there isn't. The sad medical truth is that less than half of all known diseases have a definite cure, and that most of the drugs available today merely provide symptom relief. What's worse is that this kind of thinking tends to encourage reckless behavior and poor health habits.

For example, some individuals with diabetes cheat regularly on their recommended diet, thinking that glucose-lowering drugs will bring them back in shape, anyway, when in fact all they do is give the body's sugar-metabolizing capacity a little boost. When pushed too far, our natural protective mechanisms can easily break down, leading to complications that are even harder to treat.

In short, every person should know his or her limits. Do not count on drugs to take care of your health problems because one, in all likelihood their effects will be temporary, and two, drug dependence is not without its own dangers.

Believe it or not, an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure. Stay tuned.