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.
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
digestive problems are:
u Food Intolerance – Often confused
with a food allergy, food intolerance
allows you to eat a small amount of the
offending food without any issues (a
food allergy could be life-threatening).
Causes include celiac disease, sensitivity
to food additives, food toxins, and
absence of an enzyme needed to fully
digest a food.
u Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
(GERD) – A chronic digestive disease,
GERD is defined as experiencing acid
reflux and heartburn at least twice a
week. GERD affects 20 percent of
Americans and can cause persistent bad
breath, tooth erosion, nausea, pain in
chest or upper abdomen, or it can make
swallowing and breathing hard to do.
u 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.
u 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.
u Exfoliate to shrink pores.
u Hydrate your face, neck, and chest.
u Always wash off dirt and makeup before
bed.
u Keep shower water warm, not hot.
u Apply moisturizer while your skin is still
damp.
u Keep your hands off of your face.
u Sanitize your cell phone.
u
u
Bones
Bones are an important part of your body
that is 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 being 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.
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.
Chiropractic Care
Back pain is one of Americans’ most
common medical ailments and chiropractic
care is a natural, drug-free way to combat
pain. The nervous system controls all of the
cells and organs in your body, which is why
chiropractors focus on the health of the spine
being properly aligned.
Chiropractic care can be a resource for
patients suffering from a variety of different
conditions such as lower back pain, neck
pain, headaches, fibromyalgia, sciatica,
spinal stenosis, ear infections, neurological
conditions, or scoliosis. Patients with these
types of issues often seek professional
chiropractic therapy to relieve the