Tips on Taking a Healthy Approach to the New Year
Summary: Enhance your digestive health this New Year by establishing healthy habits, such as quitting smoking, getting regular exercise, and eating more fiber.
A common tradition of ringing in the New Year is establishing New Year’s resolutions. To a number of people in the United States, that entails setting goals to promote a healthier way of living. Throughout your efforts to search for ways to optimize an ideal diet and a healthy lifestyle, make sure to take steps to boost your digestive health. Your digestive system conducts a number of important functions that help preserve your overall health. We encourage you to make plans now to take proper care of your gastrointestinal (GI) health and ring in the New Year with a healthy start.
Hinsdale Gastroenterology Associates is thrilled to be your partner in protecting your health and wellness against gastrointestinal concerns. Patients wanting more tips on how they can enhance their GI wellness or who are noticing any symptoms of potential digestive health issues are invited to contact our facility in Hinsdale, IL to talk to an experienced and compassionate gastrointestinal specialist.
What foods can I eat to improve digestive health?
Begin the New Year by choosing to follow some healthy dietary habits. Included among the most significant steps you can take to bolster your digestive health is to consume an abundance of foods high in fiber. This helps keep your digestive tract processing properly and could inhibit concerns, like diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, and constipation. Nutritional foods to add to your dietary intake that contain a high amount of fiber are items like:
- Apples
- Whole grains
- Green peas
- Lentils
- Beans
- Artichokes
- Chickpeas
- Broccoli
Along with foods high in fiber, you can additionally consider integrating probiotics into your nutritional intake. Your GI tract relies on a proper proportion of helpful bacteria to work properly. If you increase the consumption of good flora, you could potentially support a healthy balance of bacteria in your digestive tract. Probiotics can be consumed as supplements or incorporated into your diet in the form of fermented foods and drinks.
What are other tips to boost my gastrointestinal health?
The foods you eat are only a portion of the battle. Some other activities that may help improve your digestive health include an exercise regimen. Remaining physically active might help inhibit and relieve constipation as well as help you develop stronger muscles. The next thing you can consider to help bolster your GI wellness is to manage stress effectively. Unchecked stress and tension might possibly lead to symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Consider minimizing stress by practicing meditation, making sure to get a proper amount of sleep, and strengthening meaningful bonds with others. Considering that tobacco has a harmful impact on every portion of the body, one last way you can aid your gut health is to stop smoking and using tobacco.
When should I visit a GI doctor?
Though maintaining nutritious dietary habits and establishing an active lifestyle can considerably support your gastrointestinal health, there could be instances in which you should consult a gastrointestinal doctor for more troubling issues. Common signs that you might have a GI condition or disease are as follows:
- Unintentional weight loss
- Constipation
- Loose stools
- Blood in your stool
- Incontinence
- Abdominal pain
- Recurring heartburn
- Vomiting and queasiness
If you experience any of these signs and symptoms, get in touch with Hinsdale Gastroenterology Associates as soon as possible. You can set up a consultation with a seasoned gastrointestinal doctor in Hinsdale, IL who can detect and address GI conditions that lead to these bothersome issues.
When should I set up a colon cancer screening?
Promoting good gut health also means remaining current on your preventive care. Colorectal cancer is the third leading form of cancer for both women and men; however, the good news is that an early diagnosis can greatly improve prognoses. Medical experts recommend that individuals begin undergoing routine colonoscopy procedures when they are 45 years old. If the colonoscopy outcome reveals no abnormalities, then another will not be needed for about ten years. Patients can arrange to have a colonoscopy at Hinsdale Gastroenterology Associates.
Meet with a GI doctor in Hinsdale, IL
Why wait for the start of the year to begin taking care of your digestive health? Move forward with the new and improved you right now. By partnering with the skilled physicians of Hinsdale Gastroenterology Associates, you can start the New Year off with a healthy gut. Our Hinsdale, IL gastroenterologists are some of the most skilled professionals in the industry. To reserve an appointment or find out more, contact Hinsdale Gastroenterology Associates today.