“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.
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.
• 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.
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MONROEVILLE
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WINTER 2018
31