There is no denying the fact that most of us turn to Google for information when it comes to health-related queries, before calling up or visiting a local doctor. Perhaps, we are all guilty of resorting to Dr. Google for this matter. From ‘What is ketonic diet?’ to ‘How long does the flu last’, Google Trends reveal some of the most popular health-related internet searches of 2017.

The data, collected from January to mid-December, shows that searches for the ketogenic diet – made famous by Kim Kardashian – quadrupled, whereas ‘What is Lupus? and ‘What causes Hiccups’ were some two of the most-searched questions this year. Here are some of the most commonly searched health topics in 2017:

What is the keto diet?

The popular diet is famous amongst weight watchers. It is a very low-carb, high-fat diet and involves drastically reducing carbohydrate intake, and replacing it with fat to kickstart the body’s fat-burning process.

What is CTE?

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a degenerative brain disease found in athletes, military veterans, and who have had multiple head injuries. A large number of former American football (NFL) players have been diagnosed with or have suffered from CTE. It is caused by repeated hits to the head that results in confusion, depression, dementia, aggression and suicidal thoughts. 

What is an opioid addiction?

People were also interested to find out about to find out about opioids, presumably in light of America’s ‘opioid epidemic’ that made headlines in October.

What is lupus?

Probably, the autoimmune disease figured in the most-searched list because singer and actor Selena Gomez broke the news that she had undergone a kidney transplant following a two-year battle with the chronic condition in September. 

What causes hiccups?

Hiccups are involuntary contractions of the diaphragm and can be caused by medications, certain foods, surgery, strokes, brain tumors, and noxious fumes. They should only last a few minutes.

13 Reasons Why searches

Netflix’s TV series ’13 Reasons Why’ also prompted a flurry of searches. The controversial program, on which Selena Gomez was an executive producer, came under criticism for glamorizing suicide in the eyes of teens. 13 Reasons Why tells the story of a 17-year-old girl called Hannah Baker, who takes her own life, leaving a box of tapes explaining her reasons why she ended her life.

Why is croup worse at night?

Croup refers to an infection that affects babies’ and young children’s airways. Croup usually lasts 5-6 days and is worse at night, partly because of blood flow to the respiratory tract changes when a child lies down. Symptoms include a hoarse voice, difficulty breathing, and a rasping sound when breathing in. 

Why is coconut oil bad for you?

A report released by the American Heart Association in June advised against the use of coconut oil stating it was very high in saturated fat – almost six times higher than olive oil. Saturated fats can raise the level of bad cholesterol in your blood, increasing your risk of heart disease. Until then, coconut oil was touted as a ‘superfood’ that can even aid in weight loss.

Why is apple cider vinegar good for you?

The health benefits of apple cider vinegar are immense, from helping you to lose weight to reduce the risk of developing various diseases and conditions, including diabetes and heart disease. Although it is one of the most popular natural health products that has been around for ages, experts cautioned women against using the trendy apple cider vinegar to ‘tighten’ their vaginas. 

Why can’t I orgasm during intercourse?

Research studies have shown that women are less likely to orgasm during sex than men are. According to a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, that women only orgasm 62.9% of the time with a familiar partner, while men orgasm 85.1% of the time.

There are several factors that can cause orgasm problems in women. It can be physical or psychological and may include worrying about sexual performance, not being stimulated sufficiently. Mood disorders, such as depression can also affect a woman’s orgasm.

In men, the problems are often associated with ejaculation problems like erectile dysfunction, although not always.