IN West County Winter 2018 | Page 26

HEALTH & WELLNESS S P E C I A L S E C T I O N 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. 24 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE ❘ icmags.com