April 2023 Health Archive — Key Posts from PushHealth Resource Center
This April we published four focused posts that help you notice symptoms, sort causes, and ask useful questions at the clinic. You’ll find clear signs to watch for, simple self-checks you can try at home, and the main issues to raise with a clinician. Topics covered: Crohn's disease and gluten intolerance, the overlap of anxiety and depressive disorders, amantadine and Influenza A, and budesonide's effect on children's growth.
Crohn's disease and gluten intolerance often cause similar gut symptoms, which can make it hard to know what’s going on. If you have repeated abdominal pain, bloating, loose stools, or unexplained weight loss after meals, start a one- or two-week food and symptom log. Note what you eat and when symptoms hit. That simple record helps your clinician decide whether to order blood markers, stool tests, or imaging and whether a scoped exam like a colonoscopy is needed. If gluten seems linked to flareups, ask about supervised testing and a monitored elimination trial rather than stopping gluten on your own.
Anxiety and depressive disorders frequently happen at the same time and worsen daily functioning. Watch for persistent low mood, excessive worry, trouble concentrating, sleep changes, and shifts in appetite lasting more than a couple of weeks. Short-term steps that help include keeping a sleep schedule, doing 10–20 minutes of brisk walking most days, and cutting back on afternoon caffeine. For lasting relief, cognitive behavioral therapy and some antidepressants work for both anxiety and depression—bring a clear symptom list to your appointment so your clinician can match treatment to your needs.
Amantadine was once commonly used against certain strains of Influenza A but resistance has limited its routine use. It works by blocking parts of the virus lifecycle in susceptible strains, but current guidance depends on which strains are circulating locally. If you are considering antivirals, ask your provider whether amantadine is effective for the current season, what side effects to expect (dizziness, sleep changes, confusion in older adults), and whether safer or more effective options exist based on local resistance patterns.
Budesonide is a commonly prescribed inhaled or nasal steroid for asthma and allergic conditions. Long-term use in children can slightly slow growth velocity early on, but most kids regain expected height when doses are optimized and monitored. The best practice: use the lowest effective dose, schedule regular height checks, and discuss growth concerns promptly so the prescriber can adjust treatment or try alternative therapies.
What to watch for
Keep short records: symptoms, timing, triggers, sleep and mood. Look for red flags like blood in stool, sudden weight loss, new breathing trouble, or thoughts of harming yourself. Those need faster action. For routine issues, a concise symptom diary speeds diagnosis and makes telehealth or in-person visits more productive.
How to use these posts
Print or screenshot the most relevant summary and bring it to your appointment. Use the checklist from the post to describe symptoms clearly and ask about specific tests or treatments. Small changes—like a food log or brief daily walk—can make a big difference while you arrange care.
If one of these topics matches what you or a family member is facing, start with the simple steps in the linked article and plan a focused conversation with your clinician. That often leads to faster answers and better care.
