I asked my doctor this exact question. They said most of what you read about this is overblown and the actual risk is small for a normal healthy person. The news loves a scary health headline. Ask your own doctor before you panic.

Stress does more damage to your health than people give it credit for. Half the physical symptoms I used to worry about turned out to be tension and anxiety. Sometimes the best medicine is a vacation and a good night's sleep.

The evidence on this is actually mixed. Some studies show one thing, others show the opposite. When the science is unclear, I default to common sense: eat a varied diet, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, and don't stress too much about individual health fads.

Talk to a pharmacist — they're an underrated resource and they're free to talk to. They know a ton about medications and interactions and can tell you whether something is worth a doctor visit or whether an over-the-counter remedy will do.

I had this same concern and went to see a specialist. It turned out to be much less serious than I thought. But getting professional medical advice gave me peace of mind. If you have insurance, use it — that's what it's for.