April 2023 Archive — practical takeaways on hormones, digestion, skin and elderly care

This month’s posts focused on four real-world drug and health topics you’ll run into: estradiol’s link to migraine, medicines that cause excess gas, figuring out acitretin dosing for psoriasis, and using bisacodyl safely in older adults. Below I break down what each piece found and give clear, practical tips you can use or ask your clinician about.

Hormones and migraine: what to watch for

One post dug into how estradiol — a main form of estrogen — can trigger migraines for some people. If your headaches cluster around your period, pregnancy changes, or when you start/stop hormone therapy, estradiol swings might be involved. Track timing, severity, and any hormonal treatments so you have useful data for your doctor.

What helps: keep a headache diary, try short-term preventive strategies during high-risk times (your clinician may suggest hormonal smoothing, low-dose birth control, or targeted migraine preventives), and discuss non-hormonal options like triptans for attacks. If headaches suddenly get worse or change pattern, get medical review.

Gas, drugs, psoriasis drug dosing, and bowel care for older adults

Meteorism (excess gas) was linked to several medications in another post. Common culprits include some antibiotics, certain pain relievers, and drugs that change gut flora or motility. Simple fixes to try first: check if an antibiotic is necessary, add a probiotic after antibiotics, reduce carbonated drinks, and try smaller, slower meals. Over-the-counter simethicone or digestive enzyme supplements sometimes help, but talk to your doctor before combining with other meds.

On psoriasis treatment, the acitretin piece focused on finding the right dose and safety steps. Typical adult doses fall in the low tens of milligrams, adjusted by response and side effects. Key points: baseline and regular liver function and lipid tests, discuss pregnancy prevention — acitretin can cause severe birth defects so long-term contraception is required for people who can get pregnant — and expect the prescriber to tailor dose to skin response and lab results.

Finally, bisacodyl in geriatric care came up as a useful but limited tool. Bisacodyl stimulates bowel movements and can relieve constipation fast. Use it short-term, watch for cramping, and avoid daily long-term use without review — chronic stimulant laxatives can mask underlying problems. For older adults, first try hydration, fiber, gentle osmotic laxatives (like polyethylene glycol) and review other drugs that cause constipation (opioids, anticholinergics). If you use bisacodyl, start low and check with a clinician about interactions and electrolyte risk.

Want the full posts? Each one has practical steps and safety checks you can print or copy into a clinic visit. If something here sounds like your situation, bring your notes to your healthcare provider — specifics matter when adjusting hormones, changing meds, or starting drugs like acitretin.