HEALTH & WELLNESS S P E C I A L S E C T I O N
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
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Dr. Karin J. Bittner
and Dr. Alison T. King
Cosmetic Services:
• Zoom whitening
• Veneers
• Clear Aligner
Orthodontics
• Botulinum Toxin
injections
• Metal-free crowns
• Intraoral cameras
• Free consultations for
smile design
Other Services:
• Low-radiation digital images
and panorex
• Oral cancer screening
• TMJ therapy and occlusal guards
• Custom-fitted athletic
mouthguards
• Same-day emergency treatment
• Implant restoration
• Tooth-colored fillings and
bondings
• Kid-friendly environment
Accepting New Patients of All Ages
Call 412.242.4222 to schedule
a convenient appointment.
1344 Freeport Road, Suite 1A • Pittsburgh, PA 15238
www.BittnerKingDental.com
A mother and daughter dental team
FOX CHAPEL AREA
❘
WINTER 2018
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