IN Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall Winter 2018 | Seite 34

HEALTH & WELLNESS S P E C I A L S E C T I O N
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 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.
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.
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• 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.
Bones
Bones are an important part of your
body but often forgotten. They protect
vital organs and provide structure to your
body. Building and maintaining strong
bones is important from childhood
to adulthood. There are many factors
that determine bone health, the most
common being age. Bones become
thinner as we age, with women at greater
risk of osteoporosis because they have
less bone tissue than men. Genetics and
race also play a large role. Those who are
white or of Asian descent are at a greater
risk, as are those with a family history of
osteoporosis. Too much of the thyroid
hormone can cause bone loss, and women
are likely to experience increased bone loss
during menopause due to a decrease in
estrogen levels. With long-term use, some
medications may also cause bone loss.
It is important to ensure proper health
and nutrition for bones to stay strong
throughout your life. Adequate calcium
intake and physical activity can help keep
bones healthy.