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KIRKSVILLE, MO -- For Monday’s Facebook Story of the Day, many of you wanted to debunk some health myths.

The first myth that we looked at is whether cracking your knuckles causes rheumatoid arthritis.

There is no evidence that knuckle cracking causes rheumatoid arthritis. When you crack your knuckles you’re causing the bones of the joint to pull apart. This causes a gas bubble to form in the joint and the cracking sound heard is the breaking of the adhesive seal within the joint. It can over time wear down the joints and their protective cushioning, but plays no role in rheumatoid arthritis which is caused when a person’s own immune system attacks the joints.

Another common myth believed to be true is that shortly after getting the flu shot, you will come down with the flu.

Depending on the type of vaccine, it is either a weakened or dead virus. Once your body is exposed to this it builds up antibodies to the virus to help prevent you from getting the flu. While it is still possible to contract the flu during the year, your chances are lower and they symptoms are milder. The flu shot, itself, can not directly give you the flu.

The final myth we looked into is all about water. It has always been said to drink at least eight glasses of water a day. The problem with this is that you generally need that amount of fluid. Fluids come from all types of beverages and from the food you eat. These greatly reduce the amount of actual water you need. It also depends on the type of activity you are doing in a day. So, in reality, if you are thirsty, drink some water. If you are not, don’t.