Your most important health questions of 2023 answered
One thing I love about editing the Ask Well column is the camaraderie of it. Every week we answer a health question: why am I always so busy? (I’ve wondered that too!) Why does my sleep get worse as I get older? (I’m with you there.) Does my coffee habit need an intervention? (Pour another one while we figure it out.)
As I search our inbox, I’m amazed at what comes in: questions that touch on the joys, pains, confusions, and vulnerabilities of being human. And luckily for all of us, we can start looking for the answers.
Here are 10 of the most popular health questions of 2023.
1. Is it bad to wash your hair every day?
The answer depends on your hair texture, how oily it is, whether it is colored and more.
“Although it appears that the scalp is squeaky clean and oil-free is optimal,” says Dr. Murad Alam, a dermatologist at Northwestern University, “keep in mind that the scalp is a living part of your body, not dinner. plate in your dishwasher.”
2. Is Arthritis Preventable?
Pain, stiffness and swelling of the joints are common complaints in older adults – and may be the first sign of a dreaded diagnosis: arthritis. This umbrella term describes more than 100 conditions that cause inflammation in the joints. But it doesn’t have to be an inevitable consequence of aging. Here are some steps you can take to reduce your risk.
4. Can a nap compensate for a bad night’s sleep?
Maybe you stayed up too late doomscrolling, or whipped your sheets into a tornado while replaying an awkward conversation. Either way, you’re wondering: will an afternoon nap make up for those precious hours of lost shut-eye? The answer is complicated, we discovered. Here’s what naps can and can’t do for your health.
5. Why am I so busy all the time?
This way you wake up every morning completely stuffed and want to know what’s going on. Is it so cold that you (and everyone else) seem to have it? The anatomy of your nose? Allergies? Chronic congestion is difficult to treat, experts say, because a number of things can cause it. But there are some ways to find relief.
6. What should I eat or drink if I have a cold?
If that tightness is indeed caused by a cold, turn to foods and drinks that are hydrating, nourishing, and comforting (hello, chicken noodle soup!). Here’s how diet can help you fight your infection, and which foods and drinks to avoid.
7. Why does it become harder to sleep as I get older?
As a blatant thrower and turner, I’ve noticed that the older I get, the less likely I am to wake up rested. It turns out there are medical reasons for this: an aging brain, certain health conditions, hormones and lifestyle changes can all be the cause. The good news is that sleepless nights are not a fate you have to live with.
8. Why do I get constipated when I travel?
Any activity that interrupts your normal eating or sleeping schedule risks supporting you. Dehydration, immobility, changing time zones and a changed diet are usually to blame. Here’s how to make things run a little smoother when you’re on the road.
9. Do I really need all those skin care products?
If you spend any time on social media personal care, you’ll see video after video of influencers indulging in an entire medicine cabinet’s worth of products. But simpler is often better when it comes to caring for your face. Here’s what dermatologists say you really need.
10. How much coffee is too much coffee?
Raise your hand if you’re drinking coffee while reading this. Keep it high when you’re on your second (or third, or fourth) cup of the day. Coffee contains thousands of chemical compounds that may be linked to good health. But it is also an important source of caffeine, of which too much caffeine can cause problems such as nervousness, anxiety, nausea and sleep problems. Although experts say dangerous side effects from drinking coffee are rare, it’s still possible to overdo it. Here’s how to know if you’ve poured too much.
Do you have any questions for our health journalists? Ask well.