May 2023 Archive — practical health, meds and everyday tips

What did we cover in May 2023? Short answer: a mix of practical how-tos, medication insights, and real-life issues that affect patients and caregivers. You’ll find posts on digestion, common meds and their side effects, the role of exercise, supplements, and even social challenges people face with health conditions. Below I pull out the most useful points so you can act on them fast.

Digestive and gut-focused posts

We tackled stomach pain and indigestion with simple habits you can try today: eat slowly, chew well, and avoid overeating. Related posts dug into tympanites (bloating) and how it can signal underlying problems rather than causing true weight gain. For drug-related bowel issues, Bisacodyl showed up as an effective short-term option for opioid-induced constipation — but talk to your doctor before starting it. Desmopressin was explained as a targeted choice for polydipsia, useful when fluid balance needs medical control. If you’re worried about antibiotics, a post looked at natural alternatives to cefixime like honey, garlic, and oregano oil as supportive options, though antibiotics remain necessary for many infections.

Medications, side effects and mental health

Aripiprazole drew attention for reducing irritability in autism spectrum disorder with generally tolerable side effects. If you’re considering it, discuss dosing and follow-up with a clinician. Levetiracetam’s post highlighted real side effects—dizziness, fatigue, mood changes—and urged caregivers to watch for mood swings or severe reactions and report them promptly. These pieces were practical: know common reactions, keep a symptom log, and keep communication open with prescribers.

We also examined emotional and social angles: families facing rhabdomyosarcoma shared the emotional toll on kids and teens, and another article reviewed how people with intellectual disabilities often struggle in the criminal justice system, recommending training and reasonable accommodations for fairness.

On prevention and lifestyle, two posts showed how exercise helps beyond fitness: it can lower systemic inflammation that affects the eyes and may support hair health by improving circulation and reducing stress. A separate write-up praised broccoli supplements as a nutrient-dense, convenient option to boost antioxidants and immune support—useful if you’re short on greens.

Stress showed up as a trigger for scaly skin conditions like psoriasis; managing stress with practical tools (short walks, breathing, or brief yoga) was presented as an accessible step anyone can try.

Quick takeaways

Start small: change one mealtime habit if you have indigestion, keep a medication symptom diary, add a short daily walk for inflammation, and consult professionals for drug choices or serious symptoms. For families and caregivers, the posts stress advocacy—ask for reasonable support and mental health care when needed.

Want links to any specific article from May 2023 or a printable checklist based on these posts? Tell me which topic you need and I’ll pull the key steps together for you.