How to Take a Healthy Approach to the New Year

Ringing in the New Year often involves the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions. For many Americans, that represents creating goals to promote healthy living. During your search to find ways of improving your diet and lifestyle, be sure to take steps to enhance your digestive health. Your digestive tract conducts an array of essential actions that work to help protect your general health. We encourage you to set a plan into place to take good care of your gastrointestinal (GI) system and bring in the New Year in good health.

Texas Digestive Disease Consultants is thrilled to be your partner in guarding your health and wellness against GI concerns. People seeking more suggestions on how to bolster their gastrointestinal health or who are having any symptoms of potential digestive issues are invited to contact one of our DFW practice locations to visit a seasoned and caring gastroenterologist.

What can I eat to improve my GI health?

Start the New Year off right by choosing to follow some healthy dietary habits. One of the most important steps you can take to support your gastrointestinal health is to eat adequate servings of fiber-rich foods. This helps keep your GI system operating smoothly and could ward off concerns, such as diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, and constipation. Types of foods to incorporate into your diet that that contain a high amount of fiber are things like:

• Broccoli

• Lentils

• Beans

• Artichokes

• Chickpeas

• Whole grains

• Green peas

• Apples

Apart from fiber-rich foods, you could also consider adding probiotics into your dietary intake. The digestive tract relies on a proper percentage of helpful microorganisms to work well. By increasing the intake of helpful flora, you could potentially support the proper balance in your GI system. Probiotics can be consumed in supplement form or incorporated into your diet in the form of foods, including yogurt.

What are other tips to boost my digestive health?

Your dietary intake is merely a portion of the story. Other things that might help improve your GI health include getting regular exercise. Staying physically active can help inhibit and relieve constipation and increase the strength of your muscles. An additional thing you could implement to help enhance your digestive health is to practice healthy stress management. Rampant stress and tension may potentially result in issues like constipation, nausea, and vomiting. Methods to getting a handle on stress include engaging in meditation, getting quality sleep, and forming sincere bonds with the people in your life. Considering that tobacco use has a negative impact on every system in your body, one major way you can promote your gut health is to cease smoking and using tobacco.

When should I visit a GI doctor?

While incorporating healthier eating habits and following a healthy lifestyle could significantly assist your gastrointestinal health, there may be instances in which you should consult a gastroenterologist for more distressing symptoms. Common signs that you may be experiencing a GI condition or disease include:

• Blood in your stool

• Trouble passing bowels

• Abdominal pain

• Vomiting and nausea

• Unintentional weight change

• Bowel or bladder incontinence

• Frequent heartburn

• Loose bowel movements

If you notice any of these signs and symptoms, contact Texas Digestive Disease Consultants promptly. You can reserve a visit with an accomplished GI doctor in DFW who can detect and address digestive conditions that result in these distressing signs and symptoms.

Do I need to schedule a colorectal cancer screening?

Taking steps to promote proper gastrointestinal health also consists of being current on your preventive care. Colorectal cancer is the third leading type of cancer among both men and women. Fortunately, however, an early diagnosis can greatly bolster its prognosis. Medical experts recommend that patients start undergoing routine colonoscopies when they are 45 years of age. In the event a colonoscopy result reveals no abnormalities, then another will not be needed for about ten years. Patients can schedule to have a colonoscopy at one of our Texas Digestive Disease Consultants office locations.

Speak with a gastroenterologist in DFW

Why wait until the start of the year to start taking care of your gastrointestinal health? Move on to the new and healthier you starting today. With the help of the skilled physicians of Texas Digestive Disease Consultants, you can begin the New Year enjoying better gastrointestinal health. Our DFW gastrointestinal specialists are some of the most distinguished practitioners in the field. To schedule a visit or additional information, please contact Texas Digestive Disease Consultants today.