Ask the Doctor Real Answers to 60 of Your Weirdest, Wackiest Health Questions

Betty Choi, MD is a pediatrician and writer with extensive experience in medical education content development. She completed her pediatrics training at Boston Children's Hospital / Boston Medical Center, worked as pediatric hospitalist and concierge physician. She has dedicated her career to education. Passionate about improving science communication and access to affordable education, she believes that connection is the key to motivating change. Through her website chalkacademy.com and social media, she has reached thousands of families around the world to advocate for healthy, positive parenting; hands-on learning for children; and diversity and inclusion. She lives in California with her husband and children.

Chapter 1: Grub, Guts, and Glorious Waste: Where do farts come from? What happens if you hold in a burp?  What causes stomachaches? How long does it take for food to turn into poop? Why can you see corn kernels in your poop? Why is poop brown (and what if it isn't)? If you hold in poop too long, can your guts explode? What causes diarrhea? What’s the difference between puke and barf? Why do some kids get car sick? Why can’t some people drink milk? Do bacteria really live in your belly? Can food ever be poisonous? If you eat too much, can your stomach explode? What happens if you don’t eat enough? What happens when someone swallows gum? What does the color of your pee mean? If you hold in your pee too long, can your bladder explode? Why does asparagus make your pee smell? Why do some kids wet the bed?
Chapter 2: Mind and Nerve Mysteries Why does a brain freeze hurt? Why does spinning make you dizzy? Will crossing your eyes make you cross-eyed? Why do some people wear glasses? Is watching TV bad for your eyes? Why do you see spots in the dark? Can people see things that aren’t there? Why does hitting your 'funny bone’ feel funny? Why does your foot tingle when it falls asleep? How does sleeping recharge you? Why does your body jerk before you fall asleep? What should you do if you can’t fall asleep? Why are dreams so weird? Why do some people walk in their sleep? Why is it hard for kids to sit still? What’s the secret to getting smarter? Why do you sometimes forget what you're about to say? Why do some people faint when they are scared? What causes a concussion? Why can’t you tickle yourself? Why is pain more painful when you’re cold? Why do your ears pop sometimes? Can your eardrum burst from loud music? What causes ringing in the ears?
Chapter 3: Bumps, Rashes, Gashes, and Repairs Why do bruises change color? How can you stop a bleeding cut? When does a cut need stitches? Does picking a scab make it worse? How do you get a splinter out? Why is your skin so dry in the winter? Should you lick your lips if they’re chapped? Is it okay to pop a blister? Which rashes are contagious? Are warts caused by toads? Can tape really take off warts? Can mold grow in toenails? Why are some people mosquito magnets? Why do bug bites itch? Why does scratching a rash make it worse? How does dandruff get on your head? Can bugs really live in your hair? Is poison ivy really poisonous? Why is itchiness sometimes contagious? Is it okay to pop a pimple? What are moles? Can you get sunburned on a cloudy day? in the shade? Is it okay to peel a sunburn?
Chapter 4: Coughs, Colds, and Conundrums Why does your nose make snot? Can cold weather cause a cold? What do booger colors mean? How do you stop a bloody nose? Why is there hair in your nose? Why do people have morning breath? What’s the difference between colds and allergies? Can honey help a cough? Why does your throat sometimes feel like it’s on fire? Does gargling salt water really help? Can people live without tonsils? How far can a sneeze travel? Is it possible to sneeze out spaghetti? What can you hear with a stethoscope? What causes wheezing? Can holding your breath get rid of hiccups? How long can you hold your breath? Why do some people snore? Why do you feel cold when you have a fever? Why can’t you taste food when your nose is stuffy?
Chapter 5: Achy Breaky Bones and Muscles Why do people lose teeth but not other bones? If a tooth gets knocked out, can you put it back in? Is cracking your knuckles bad for you? Can bones grow back if they are completely broken? How long does it take a broken bone to heal? Why do you feel sore after exercising? How much exercise is too much? What’s the secret to running faster? Why does your side hurt after running? Why does a Charley horse hurt so much? How does a twisted ankle get better? Why is one hand stronger than the other? Does slouching make your back crooked? Why are kids more flexible than adults? Why can some people bend their thumbs backward? Does stretching count as exercise? Why do you shiver when you’re cold? Why do fevers make your muscles ache? Why are people shorter at night than in the morning? Do people shrink when they are old? Can drinking milk make you taller? How tall will you be when you grow up?
Chapter 6: Surprise Me! Random Health Questions What body parts can people live without? Can an apple a day keep the doctor away? Why do you get cranky when you’re hungry? Why do people have belly buttons? Why does your hair stand up when you get goosebumps? Why do you wake up with eye crusties? Do eyeballs grow bigger as you grow older? Why do onions make you cry? Why do people have eyebrows? How much earwax is normal? What happens to water that gets in your ears? What’s that thing hanging in the back of your throat? What would happen if you stopped trimming your nails? How do you break a nail-biting habit? Why do your fingers look like raisins after a bath? Why do feet smell? Which is better: soap or sanitizer? Is the 5-second rule real? What’s the big deal with double-dipping? What happens when you get the wind knocked out of you? Why does your heart pound when you’re scared or excited? How do people donate blood? When would someone need to call 911? Why is being bored good for your brain? Is laughter really the best medicine?