Well+Being

An illustration that shows the outline of a body, with roots and a plant in the stomach that grows up towards the brain where it becomes a red flower that also resembles flames. — (The Washington Post/George Wylesol for The Washington Post)

Parkinson’s may begin in the gut, study says, adding to growing evidence

Mucosal damage — an erosion, break or sore in the mucous lining of the GI tract — was associated with a 76 percent greater risk of developing Parkinson’s.

(Washington Post illustration; iStock/TWP)

Got a Change Healthcare letter about a data breach? Here’s what to do.

Nervous about that Change Healthcare data breach letter that came in the mail? Take these steps if you’re worried you’ve been affected by a data breach.

By Tatum Hunter

Sports helped Oksana Masters heal from trauma, find love and win gold

By Amanda Morris

A probiotic called akkermansia claims to boost health. Does it work?

By Anahad O’Connor

At Paralympics, goalball is ‘the coolest sport you’ve never heard of’

By Amanda Morris

A photo illustration that shows a man holding his arms out to the side with the outside of his wrists pressed against each other in front of his chest. There are illustrated pink, jagged lines around his wrists.

These 3 moves may signal you’ve got carpal tunnel syndrome

By Trisha Pasricha, MD

A CPAP isn’t the only option for treating sleep apnea

If you have obstructive sleep apnea, here’s what to know about dental devices, tongue trainers, mouth tape, weight loss drugs and more.

By Kevin Loria

Hunter Woodhall cheered his Olympian wife. Now it’s his turn to compete.

Hunter Woodhall, a three-time Paralympian, aims for gold in the upcoming Paralympics after going viral cheering his Olympian wife Tara Davis-Woodhall.

By Amanda Morris

Have a question for a doctor? The Washington Post can help.

By Washington Post staff

An illustration of a young girl holding a stack of books, looking up at an adult holding an apple.

Probiotics, joy and gold medals: The week in Well+Being

It’s been a fun week watching the 2024 Paris Paralympics and reading some fantastic stories about the athletes and the sports they play.

By Tara Parker-Pope

NewsletterTHURSDAYS

Well+Being: Tips and guidance on food, fitness and mental health

latest from Well+Being

How to spark joy in your life

Women, Black patients face time lag in treating iron deficiency

Elin Hilderbrand on cancer, writing and perspective

Older adults struggled — and grew — during pandemic, study suggests

DON’T MISS

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voices

GUIDES

How to protect yourself from mosquito bites

Health experts say the “gold standard” against bug bites is DEET, a chemical repellent developed almost 80 years ago to help the U.S. Army keep mosquitoes away.

By Teddy Amenabar and Lindsey Bever

What to know about 6 popular home tests for allergies, cancer and more

By Andrea Atkins

Ticks love hot weather, too. How to avoid these common tick diseases.

By Marlene Cimons

Confused by new mammogram guidelines? Here’s what to know.

By Lindsey Bever

Americans are sleeping more than ever. See how you compare.

By Caitlin Gilbert and Luis Melgar

meet the WELL+BEING TEAM

Tara Parker-Pope is a longtime editor and science writer who knows that well-being is best achieved through the small health decisions we make each day.

Anjuman Ali is an editor with a passion for health journalism who believes in empowering people with science-based information to care for their health.

Emily Codik is an editor focused on elevating expert voices through a variety of formats, including visual journalism and social media.

Anahad O’Connor is a veteran health reporter who writes about the science of food and the various biological and cultural forces that influence how we eat.

Gretchen Reynolds has covered exercise science for more than two decades, including the perils of inactivity and the benefits of moving just a little more every day.

Richard Sima is a neuroscientist turned science journalist committed to revealing the wonder and mystery of the brain — and why it matters.

Amanda Morris is a science reporter and hard of hearing woman whose reporting on people with disabilities and chronic illnesses challenges long-held stigmas and sheds light on health disparities.

Lindsey Bever writes with empathy and expertise on a variety of personal health topics, including chronic illness, mental health and navigating the medical system.

Teddy Amenabar explores the science and the myths behind the health information people are seeing, searching and talking about online.

Caitlin Gilbert is a data reporter and former neuroscientist who uses analyses, statistics and visualizations to better understand and explain how we live.

Trisha S. Pasricha writes the Ask a Doctor column. She is a physician at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and an instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Shirlene Obuobi is a second-year cardiology fellow at the University of Chicago medical center. Her comics about navigating health care appear on her Instagram @ShirlywhirlMD.

Chelsea Conrad is a designer, illustrator and art director whose vibrant visuals add explanation, depth and, sometimes, humor to well-being stories.

Garland Potts is a news designer focused on explaining health and well-being topics with engaging visual storytelling.

Maya Valentine is a photo assignment editor who produces visually rich stories that explore nutrition, fitness and other health topics.

Aaron Steckelberg uses his deep knowledge of graphics and visual storytelling to create health and science journalism that informs and delights.