Medical myth vs medical facts.

After reading my buddies post, actually other than the unclear concept of disease among the patient. Actually that is a lot of myth among the patient also.
For example , for fits patient. A lot of patient's family believe that when their kids got fits especially during generalised tonic-clonic fits, they should be giving something to bite. It can be chopstick for chinese, spoon for Malay or modern chinese (do not have chopstick),plastic comb for those can neither find spoon nor chopstick, Parker pen for one of my patient previously . A more educated one will use handkerchief wrapped the comb, spoon ,chopstick or what so ever for patient to bite. Pity patient occasionally break their tooth or got more serious injury in oral cavity. Luckily still not see people put in their little finger inside and got swallowed.
When i try to tell them not repeat it again.
The answer is: Dr, you know or not . If i don't do this. He is dead by now.
Dr: Why?
Patient's friend:He will bite his tongue and it will cause dead. When the tongue breed , sure dead one.
dr: which doctor or which book tell you this facts?
Patient's friend: Everyone also know this . You don't know meh? This is common sense.
See what they so called common sense actually is what i called a medical myth. Something no medical based but everyone believe. It takes a lot of time to educate them about coma position and not to put thing in the mouth. Sad to say that only the epilepsy patient 's family with frequent fits attack for the patient will convince after the recurrence enforcement education to them.
This is the first medical myth i encountered.
Second myth normally in TB clinic.
Dr: Pakcik, look at the X-ray ,see white spot at apical region like cotton wool(soft spoT) . Sputum AFB positive, You got TB (tuberculosis) and need treatment. Don't worry, it can be cured.
Pakcik: Dr, this is not TB . this is santau(black magic). That's why i got hemoptysis.Taking the medication will kill me. I need to see Bomoh.
Dr: If you don't seek treatment, you may be dead and endanger your family.They may got TB from me
Pakcik (a bit agitated):you are not malay. You don't know santau. Don't argue with me . I need Bomoh now . If cannot cure than may be TB.
Dr: I ask my chest physician explained to you. It is expect and is malay too.
Specialist told the same story.
Pakcik very angry: you all trying to kill me by asking to take medication. You know or not, I delayed to find Bomoh, i maybe dead.
this is the biggest challenge in chest clinic. To convince them they actually got TB. No people will believe you if they think they got black magic(charmed) even you are chest physician.
This again is medical myth in Malaysia.
Funny thing is they may involve a highly educated people (Uni graduated) among them. I just attempted one uni graduated high rank officer in 2 month back and refused treatment even signed the letter refused for treatment.
Medical myth is very strong in this part of the world. When medical myth contradict the medical management, they will opt for medical myth. I dicussed it previously in my previous post.