Tips to Avoid the Most Common Digestive Problems
Digestive problems can often be a source of embarrassment. Most people are hesitant to admit they have a problem, let alone seek treatment.
Digestive problems can often be a source of embarrassment. Most people are hesitant to admit they have a problem, let alone seek treatment.
The month of August is devoted to raising awareness about gastroparesis – a misunderstood condition that can have a devastating effect on your quality of life.
It’s the first day of vacation, and you have your bags packed and a whole itinerary chalked out. A large section of your “Must Visit” list, usually includes eateries you must visit and local cuisines you must try. However, if you are not careful, you can get a digestive problem that can put a damper on your trip.
For something so painful, you will be surprised how easy it is to avoid and stay abreast of hemorrhoids. A hemorrhoid is a common condition that is characterized by swollen blood vessels in your rectum and anus. These can make your trips to the restroom a very painful and unpleasant experience.
Most people have experienced the occasional acid reflux after a heavy meal or when lying down with a burning sensation in the chest (heartburn) that may spread up to the throat leaving a sour taste in the mouth. If you experience these symptoms regularly (at least twice a week), you may be suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease.
The importance of going for a health checkup at the right time cannot be overstated. This is especially true for some men who tend to follow the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” philosophy. Unfortunately, good health is not something you can afford to take for granted. Just like any highly complex and intricate machine, your body needs a regular checkup.
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is one of the newer, incision-less, weight-loss procedures that reduces the size of your stomach. It is a fairly simple procedure where an endoscope (a thin flexible tube with a camera and a suturing device) is passed through your mouth into your stomach. The size and shape of your stomach is then altered by a few strategically placed stiches making it physically impossible to have a large meal. The procedure is done under general anesthesia so you will not feel a thing. The total time taken is about 1-1/2 hours, after which you will be monitored in the recovery room for any complications. Most likely, you will be able to leave the hospital on the very same day!
Do you experience uncomfortable bloating in your stomach or burning in your chest after meals? You could be suffering from a digestive disease and Digestive Disease National Awareness month (May) is the opportune time to start working on your digestive health. All digestive diseases, ranging from the occasional acid reflux to full blown irritable bowel syndrome, can be controlled to some extent by the foods you eat. Here are a few suggestions to get you moving in the right direction.
Everyone has trouble with bowel movements from time to time, however, for those with IBS the abdominal pain, bloating, and sudden urge to move your bowels can wreak havoc with your plans on a regular basis. The possibility of not making it to the bathroom on time will have you constantly scouting for restrooms everywhere you go. Some people go to great lengths while making long-distance trips such as cleaning their system one day before the journey and thereafter not taking anything until reaching their destination to avoid having an ‘accident’ before reaching the restroom. Indeed, IBS can influence what you do for leisure, where and how you travel, and who you choose to hang out with.
Even though obesity rates have begun to slow in recent years, obesity still remains one of the most significant threats to the health of our nation. In 1985, not a single state in US had an obesity rate above 15%. As things stand today, at least 20% of the population across all states are obese. About 8% of the population are extremely obese. The reason for these alarming figures is a combination of factors – bigger portion sizes, confusing diet and nutrition information, and our technologically driven comfort-oriented lifestyle. Americans in general walk less when compared to any other industrialized country.
