Heart Health
We are all aware that it is important
to eat healthy and stay fit for heart
health. A diet rich in plant foods and
low in processed food and animal
products lends itself to a happy heart.
Paired with cardiovascular exercise,
you’ve got it made for a healthy body.
But have you ever thought of staying
positive as a way to keep your heart
healthy? A research study at the
University of Illinois shows that people
with optimistic attitudes have higher
odds of having ideal cardiovascular
health when compared to pessimistic
people. The study analyzed “the
mental health, levels of optimism, and
physical health of 5,100 adults ranging
from 45 to 84 years of age. Heart
health scores—based on American
Heart Association-approved metrics,
including blood pressure and body
mass index—increased right alongside
optimism levels.” So when you’re feeling
down, remember that staying positive
affects more than just your day, so keep
your head up and your heart happy.
chronic constipation, diarrhea, or a
lack of fiber in your diet. Seventy-five
percent of Americans over the age of
45 suffer from hemorrhoids. Staying
hydrated, eating more fiber, or over-
the-counter creams may provide
relief from hemorrhoids.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) –
Affecting 15 percent of Americans,
IBS is characterized by stomach
pain or discomfort at least three
times a month for several months.
Symptoms vary widely with IBS,
making it hard to determine the
exact cause. Treatment focuses
mostly on diet, eliminating common
trigger foods such as dairy, alcohol,
caffeine, artificial sweeteners and
beans. Doctors also recommend a
diet high in fiber and consumption of
probiotics found in yogurt.
Digestion
Digestive issues affect all of us at one
time or another. From upset stomach,
gas, and heartburn, to constipation and
diarrhea, digestive problems are painful
and embarrassing. Some of the most
common are:
• Food Intolerance – Often confused
with food allergy, food intolerance
likely allows you to eat a small
amount of an offending food without
any issues (while a food allergy
could be life-threatening). Causes
of intolerance include celiac disease,
sensitivity to food additives, food
toxins, and absence of an enzyme
needed to fully digest a food.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux
Disease (GERD) – A chronic
digestive disease, GERD is defined
as experiencing acid reflux and
heartburn at least twice a week. It
affects 20 percent of Americans and
can cause persistent bad breath, tooth
erosion, nausea, and pain in the chest
or upper abdomen, or it can make
swallowing and breathing hard to do.
• Hemorrhoids – Hemorrhoids are
inflamed blood vessels found at the
end of your digestive tract. Often
painful and itchy, they are caused by
Skin
Most likely, if you are unhealthy on
the inside, it will show on the outside.
Your skin often mirrors your body’s
true overall health, so a healthy diet,
exercise, and drinking lots of water will
do wonders. But keep in mind: there
are other ways to make your skin shine
bright!
• Wear sunscreen.
• Get a full night’s sleep.
• Exfoliate to shrink pores.
• Hydrate your face, neck, and chest.
• Always wash off dirt and makeup
before bed.
• Keep shower water warm, not hot.
• Apply moisturizer while your skin is
still damp.
• Keep your hands off your face.
• Sanitize your cell phone.
Continued on page 51 >
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Upper
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2725 Center St.
412-833-6166
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Fort Couch
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www.stevenrcrandalldmd.com
Steven
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DMD • Karen L. Johnson, DDS
412-833-6166
Kathy L. Lopez, DMD • Hadil F. Yousef DDS
www.stevenrcrandalldmd.com
www.SouthHillsDentalArts.com
BETHEL PARK
❘
WINTER 2018
49