Do You Have Digestive Troubles?

Each year, millions of Americans are diagnosed with digestive disorders, ranging from the occasional upset stomach to the more life-threatening colorectal cancer. Digestive disorders encompass illnesses of the gastrointestinal tract, the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas, all of which play an important role in digestion. 

The early warning signs of poor digestion include gas, bloating, heartburn, acid reflux, chronic constipation, hemorrhoids, upset stomach, cramps and frequent diarrhea, to name but a few.  What I have learned over the past 13 years in practice is that these symptoms are thought to be a normal aspect of life or the aging process.  This couldn't be further from the truth. 

There is nothing normal about everyday gas, bloating after meals, going a day or two without a bowel movement, having burning in your throat and chest and having a burping war at the dinner table.  Although very common, these symptoms are the warning signs of poor digestion and must not be ignored.  

Our digestive system is the centerpiece of our health.  More important, the use of chemical agents and pills to suppress and mask these warning signs is not a recipe for good health.  We must address these symptoms at the root of the problem. 

Understanding healthy digestion is important.  Everyday your digestive system helps you sustain life and energy.  Those who suffer with digestive trouble need to realize that theses problems could be the source of other health conditions as well, such as low energy, sleep trouble, skin trouble and even back and hip pain. During my career, the majority of skin cases that I have seen have had some connection to poor digestive health.   And, I am seeing an increasing number of back and hip pain cases related to poor digestive health. 

So, how do we put a stop to this health epidemic and help those who are suffering needlessly?  In my opinion, we need to educate our community on how to restore balance and health to our digestive systems. If you have eaten a standard American diet, used aspirin for any period of time, taken rounds of antibiotic therapy or steroids, I can almost guarantee that your digestive health is compromised in some way.  

Here are a few quick tips that will help with digestion.

• Chew your food properly.  The breakdown of food and digestion starts in your mouth. Chewing your food and breaking it down well in your mouth will take stress off your stomach and digestive track. 
• Avoid processed foods and chemical additives. Your digestive health starts by what you put in your mouth.
• Take a good quality enzyme to aid in digestion.  As we age our enzyme production declines, thus making digestion more difficult.  If you are over the age of 40, I recommend an enzyme supplement, with quality the key here.  

Once you understand the role of healthy digestion and what it takes to have a healthy digestive system, you can take the necessary steps to fighting and winning the battle.   Join us on Thursday, April 7 at 7:15 p.m. at the Panera Bread in Rocky River for our Wellness Workshop on Healthy Digestion.  Here we will discuss every aspect of healthy digestion as well as the important role of probiotics. 

Please call 440-331-4744 to register and reserve your seat or register by email at tfwellnessdoc@gmail.com.