Your top health questions for 2023, answers

One ​​thing I love about writing Ask Well is the camaraderie. Every week we answer a health question: Why am I so congested all the time? (I wonder that too!) Why does my sleep get worse as I age? (I'm right there with you.) Does my coffee habit need intervention? (Pour me another one while we think about it.)

When I look through our inbox, I'm amazed at what comes up: questions that cover the joys, the anxieties, the confusions. and the vulnerabilities of being a person. And fortunately for all of us, we can seek 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, oiliness, color, etc.

"While it may seem optimal to have a squeaky clean, oil-free scalp," said Dr. Murad Alam, a dermatologist at Northwestern University, "keep keep in mind that the scalp is a living part of your body, not a plate in your dishwasher.

Here's how to know if daily exfoliation will do more damage than good.

2. Is arthritis preventable?

Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling are common complaints among older adults and can be the first sign of a dreaded diagnosis: l 'arthritis. This umbrella term describes more than 100 conditions that cause joint inflammation. But this doesn't have to be an inevitable consequence of aging. Here are some steps you can take to reduce your risks.

3. I drink alcohol. What can I do to reverse the damage?

It's becoming increasingly clear that even a little alcohol is bad for your health, with links to cancer, problems cardiovascular and liver diseases. While there's no magic antidote to erase the ill effects of a wild night out, there are steps you can take to improve your health if you enjoy an occasional cocktail.

4. Can a nap make up for a bad night's sleep?

Maybe you stayed up too late scrolling, or turned your sheets into a tornado replaying an uncomfortable conversation . Either way, you're wondering: will a midday nap make up for those precious lost hours of sleep? The answer is complicated, we found. Here's what naps can – and can't – do for your health.

5. Why am I so stuffed all the time?

So you wake up every morning all drunk and want to know what's going on. Do you (and everyone else) seem to be so cold? The anatomy of your nose? Allergies ? Chronic congestion is difficult to treat, experts say, because several factors can cause it. But there are ways to find relief.

6. What should I eat or drink when I have a cold?