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 congested all the time? (I’ve wondered that, too!) Why does my sleep get worse as I get older? (I’m right there with you.) Does my coffee habit need intervention? (Pour me another one while we think about it.)
When I check our inbox, I’m amazed at what comes in — questions that cover the joys, pains, confusions and vulnerabilities of being human. And luckily for all of us, we can get 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 the texture of your hair, how oily it is, whether it’s color-treated and more.
“Although it seems that cleansing the scalp without any oils is best,” says Dr. Murad Alam, a dermatologist at Northwestern University, “remember that the scalp is a living part of your body, and not a dinner plate in your dishwasher.”
2. Can arthritis be prevented?
Joint pain, stiffness and swelling are common complaints for older adults — and they can 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 result of aging. Here are some steps you can take to reduce your risk.
4. Can sleep make up for a bad night’s sleep?
Maybe you stayed up late doomscrolling, or you turned your sheets into a tornado replaying an uncomfortable conversation. Either way, you wonder: Can a midday nap make up for those precious hours of lost eye control? The answer is complicated, we found. Here’s what naps can — and can’t — do for your health.
5. Why am I always crowded?
So you wake up every morning feeling full and wanting to know what’s going on. Are you (and others) feeling this cold? The anatomy of your nose? Allergies? Chronic congestion is difficult to treat, experts say, because any number of things can cause it. But there are some ways to find relief.
6. What should I eat or drink when I have a cold?
If a cold does bring on that discomfort, turn to foods and drinks that are nourishing, nourishing and comforting (hello, chicken noodle soup!). Here’s a look at how nutrition can help fight your infection, along with what foods and drinks to avoid.
7. Why does it become harder to sleep as I get older?
As an outspoken tosser and turner, I’ve noticed that the older I get, the less likely I am to wake up refreshed. It turns out there are medical reasons for that: An aging brain, certain health conditions, hormones and lifestyle changes can all be to blame. 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 disrupts your regular eating or sleeping schedule risks supporting you. Dehydration, immobility, time zone change and altered diet are usually blamed. Here’s how to make things run smoother when you’re out and about.
9. Do I really need all the skin care products?
If you spend any time on the personal care side of social media, you’ll see video after video of influencers dousing themselves with an entire medicine cabinet’s worth of products. But simpler is often better when it comes to taking care of 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 up if you’re on your second (or third or fourth) cup of the day. Coffee contains thousands of chemical compounds that can be linked to good health. But it’s also a major source of caffeine, too much of which can cause issues like anxiety, restlessness, nausea and trouble sleeping. Although experts say that harmful effects from drinking coffee are rare, it is still possible to overdo it. Here’s how to know if you’ve poured yourself too much.
Have more questions for our health journalists? Ask Good Questions.
