The physiology of the ice cream headache

Dear Doctors: Can you please explain the ice cream headache? My kids get it from popsicles, and I just gave myself one by drinking some iced tea too fast. Is there anything you can do to make the pain go away more quickly? More important, any way to not get one in the first place?

Friend insists on keeping found money

DEAR HARRIETTE: While my friend and I were walking, we found a wallet on the ground. My friend’s first instinct was to steal the cash inside instead of trying to get it back to the owner. She is a 40-year-old woman with a wellpaying job.

Reader’s brother wants to move in

DEAR HARRIETTE: My 14-year-old brother wants to live with me instead of our parents, and I’m seriously considering it. My brother and I are 20 years apart in age, and I have been out of the house for years now and have been able to secure a good life for myself.

DO JUST ONE THING

• Do you have functioning old DVD and VHS players gathering dust at home?Turns out, there’s real demand for them in the resale market.

Don’t waste money on gut microbiome tests

Dear Doctors: I read your column about improving gut health and want to do it. But I have also read that it’s best to start with a test to get your gut microbiome analyzed. How do those tests work? Do I really need one? I’m on a fixed income and they’re not within my budget.

New relationship brings looming panic

DEAR HARRIETTE: For the first time in a long time, I am in a steady romantic relationship. I haven’t done much dating since my last relationship four years ago. I’ve been dating this current guy for three months.

Cyclosporiasis linked to contaminated foods

Dear Doctors: I keep hearing on the news about a stomach bug that’s getting a lot of people sick. How serious is it? What are the symptoms that people should be watching out for? I’m always careful about washing produce. Is that enough or is there something else we should be doing?

New resident misses old way of living

DEAR HARRIETTE: I consider myself to be a social person. I recently moved to a more rural area in an attempt to experience a new way of living. I think there’s value in all different types of lifestyles, even those that are often seen as less glamorous.

DO JUST ONE THING

• Never flush contact lenses down the sink or toilet.

Reader’s rebellious sister is lashing out

DEAR HARRIETTE: I think my sister hates me. I’m in college right now, and my sister just finished her freshman year of high school. When I was away from home, she made new friends and started getting into trouble.