Staying hydrated is one of the easiest and most effective ways to support your digestive system, especially in the summer heat. (Really!)

Here’s why it matters and how you can make hydration a daily habit:

Why hydration matters for your gut

1. Prevents constipation

Water softens everything flowing through your colon and helps it pass more easily. Without enough fluid, things become hard and slow-moving — a common cause of constipation.

2. Reduces bloating and stomach discomfort

Adequate hydration supports smooth digestion, helping food move more efficiently and minimizing unpleasant bloating. (Check out these 4 Ways to Keep Your GI Tract Running Smoothly)

3. Aids nutrient absorption

Fluids help break down food so your body can absorb essential nutrients more effectively.

4. Supports healthy gut lining

Your digestive tract depends on hydration to maintain its protective lining and optimal function.

Signs you might not be drinking enough

• Fewer than three bowel movements per week
• Persistent bloating or gas
• Dry skin or fatigue
• Dark yellow urine or very little output

If any of these symptoms sound familiar, increasing your water intake could offer simple, quick relief.

Easy ways to boost your water intake

Once you’ve established the benefits of drinking more water, go ahead and make it a daily goal. These tips will help:

• Start your day with a glass of water. Before your morning coffee, drink 8–12 oz of water for a refreshing wake-up.
• Set reminders. Use your phone or a hydration app to prompt you to drink some water every hour.
• Infuse water for flavor. Add slices of lemon, cucumber, or berries to your water to make it more appealing.
• Drink water before meals. A small glass before eating can also support digestion and help you eat smaller meals.
• Track your water intake. Use a reusable water bottle marked with time goals (like “Morning”, “Afternoon”, “Evening”).

When to reach out to a GI specialist

While better hydration is a simple first step, persistent or severe symptoms like ongoing constipation, abdominal pain, or unexplained weight changes deserve professional attention. They may be one of these 5 Signs you Need to See a GI Doctor to get expert diagnoses from a gastrointestinal specialist like Gastrointestinal Specialists, P.C. in Troy, Mich.

Our on-site surgical center offers convenient colonoscopies and diagnostic procedures designed to catch issues early and keep you healthy. Compared to hospital settings, our relaxed atmosphere provides a personalized experience, shorter wait times, and lower costs.

Contact Gastrointestinal Specialists, P.C. today to schedule your appointment.

Caring for patients is at the heart of what we do. Towson Surgical Center is pleased to announce a new cardiology procedure — generator (battery) replacement for pacemakers and implantable defibrillators — to support your long-term heart health.

This advancement allows patients to receive essential cardiac care in a more convenient and cost-effective setting, without the need for a hospital stay.

The generator replacement is a vital procedure that ensures continued, reliable support for patients with implanted cardiac devices. We are proud to provide this service with the same high standards of safety and quality that define our center.

Benefits of an Ambulatory Surgery Center

Having this procedure performed at our center offers numerous benefits to patients, including:

• significantly lower costs compared to hospital-based care
• quicker recovery times
• shorter discharge periods—allowing patients to return home the same day.

Additionally, the outpatient setting helps reduce the risk of hospital-related complications, leading to a smoother and more comfortable overall experience.

Schedule an Appointment

With this new offering, we are committed to delivering advanced cardiac care in a setting that prioritizes efficiency, safety and patient satisfaction.

If you need this procedure or would like more information, please schedule an appointment with one of our physicians.

Step inside three of our Digestive Endoscopy Centers in Dayton, Ohio, and explore our state-of-the-art facilities from the comfort of your home with our new 360° virtual tour. Renowned for our commitment to high-quality healthcare, we take pride in maintaining a welcoming and serene environment that ensures our patients’ peace of mind.

Take the Google 360 Tour

Get a closer look at the exceptional care we provide with our interactive 360° tour, captured by a certified Google photographer. Journey through our inviting reception area, advanced procedure rooms, and peaceful recovery spaces—all designed with patient comfort as a top priority. At Digestive Specialists, transparency is key. We believe that by offering a full view of our facilities, you can feel confident and at ease even before stepping through our doors. These virtual tours aim to reduce any pre-visit worries and build trust by showcasing our commitment to patient care.

Huber Heights

Sugarcreek Township

Springboro

Why Choose Digestive Specialists?

• Welcoming and Comfortable Environment: Our facilities are meticulously maintained to provide a clean, comfortable space that enhances your experience from the moment you arrive.
• Personalized, Compassionate Care: We prioritize patient-centered care, tailoring each treatment to your unique needs while making you feel valued and cared for.
• Get Familiar Before You Visit: Our virtual tours and photo galleries allow you to see our center in advance, helping you feel more confident and informed about your upcoming visit.

At Digestive Specialists, we combine leading-edge medical care with a peaceful, comfortable atmosphere, ensuring a positive experience at every stage. Take the tour today and see firsthand how we are dedicated to supporting your well-being.

Step inside West Chester Endoscopy Center and explore our state-of-the-art facility from the comfort of your home with our new 360° virtual tour. Renowned for our commitment to high-quality healthcare, we take pride in maintaining a welcoming and serene environment that ensures our patients’ peace of mind.

Take the Google 360 Tour

Get a closer look at the exceptional care we provide with our interactive 360° tour, captured by a certified Google photographer. Journey through our inviting reception area, advanced procedure rooms, and peaceful recovery spaces—all designed with patient comfort as a top priority. At West Chester Endoscopy Center, transparency is key. We believe that by offering a full view of our facility, you can feel confident and at ease even before stepping through our doors. This virtual tour aims to reduce any pre-visit worries and build trust by showcasing our commitment to patient care.

Why Choose West Chester Endoscopy Center?

• Welcoming and Comfortable Environment: Our facility is meticulously maintained to provide a clean, comfortable space that enhances your experience from the moment you arrive.
• Personalized, Compassionate Care: We prioritize patient-centered care, tailoring each treatment to your unique needs while making you feel valued and cared for.
• Get Familiar Before You Visit: Our virtual tour and photo gallery allow you to see our center in advance, helping you feel more confident and informed about your upcoming visit.

At West Chester Endoscopy Center, we combine leading-edge medical care with a peaceful, comfortable atmosphere, ensuring a positive experience at every stage. Take the tour today and see firsthand how we are dedicated to supporting your well-being.

Step inside Endoscopy Center of Delaware and explore our state-of-the-art facility from the comfort of your home with our new 360° virtual tour. Renowned for our commitment to high-quality healthcare, we take pride in maintaining a welcoming and serene environment that ensures our patients’ peace of mind.

Take the Google 360 Tour

Get a closer look at the exceptional care we provide with our interactive 360° tour, captured by a certified Google photographer. Journey through our inviting reception area, advanced procedure rooms, and peaceful recovery spaces—all designed with patient comfort as a top priority. At Endoscopy Center of Delaware, transparency is key. We believe that by offering a full view of our facility, you can feel confident and at ease even before stepping through our doors. This virtual tour aims to reduce any pre-visit worries and build trust by showcasing our commitment to patient care.

Why Choose Endoscopy Center of Delaware?

• Welcoming and Comfortable Environment: Our facility is meticulously maintained to provide a clean, comfortable space that enhances your experience from the moment you arrive.
• Personalized, Compassionate Care: We prioritize patient-centered care, tailoring each treatment to your unique needs while making you feel valued and cared for.
• Get Familiar Before You Visit: Our virtual tour and photo gallery allow you to see our center in advance, helping you feel more confident and informed about your upcoming visit.

At Endoscopy Center of Delaware, we combine leading-edge medical care with a peaceful, comfortable atmosphere, ensuring a positive experience at every stage. Take the tour today and see firsthand how we are dedicated to supporting your well-being.

The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation New Jersey Chapter recently honored Penny S. Turtel, MD, FACG, FACP, at the nonprofit’s BANDed Together Event on June 6 in Long Branch, New Jersey.

Dr. Turtel, along with Allied Digestive Health (ADH), received the 2025 Community Impact Award. This award honors individuals and groups dedicated to improving gastrointestinal care, especially focusing on Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Board-certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Dr. Turtel is an AMSURG physician partner at Ocean Surgical Pavilion in Oakhurst, New Jersey. Accepting on behalf of ADH, she thanked the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation chapter for the honor.

“Their mission is crucial to not only the local communities in New Jersey and New York but also to families across the country. Working with them has allowed us to further support their cause beyond the research and education done by our providers,” she said in a New Jersey Culture Times article. “To know that they value our dedication to finding a cure as much as we value theirs is not something we take lightly, and it is with great pride that we accept this award. This is just one step in the journey of our support for the foundation, our patients and their families to one day find a cure for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.”

Dr. Turtel serves on the New Jersey chapter’s board of directors and the Medical Education Committee. She has been a passionate advocate for patients, actively supports educational programs and plays a key role in leading the chapter’s fundraising efforts, according to the article.

AnnaMaria Mindish, Regional Executive Director, Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, New Jersey Chapter, praised the work of Dr. Turtel and ADH.

“The New Jersey Chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation is thrilled to honor Allied Digestive Health and Dr. Penny Turtel for their incredible efforts in driving support to the mission,” Mindish said in the article.

Mindish noted that Dr. Turtel founded New Jersey BANDed Together a decade ago with Lori Dunbar, one of her patients. Since then, the organization has raised nearly $500,000.

“We would not have achieved this success without Dr. Turtel and Allied Digestive Health’s influence within the IBD Community,” Mindish said in the article. “We are beyond grateful to have their partnership as we continue to increase awareness about inflammatory bowel disease in New Jersey and raise critical funds to ensure that research to find a cure is not put on hold.”

A Fellow of the American College of Physicians and of the American College of Gastroenterology, Dr. Turtel has published in the fields of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Nutrition and Small Bowel Diseases.

Acton, MA – Middlesex Endoscopy Center invites you to experience the exceptional care and inviting atmosphere of our entire facility. Known for excellence in healthcare, our center’s clean and welcoming environment underscores our dedication to patient comfort and care.

Take the Google 360 Tour

Discover the comprehensive care we offer through an immersive 360 virtual tour, meticulously captured by a certified Google 360 photographer. From the welcoming reception area to our state-of-the-art procedure rooms and tranquil recovery spaces, every detail is designed with your well-being in mind. Transparency is one of our core values, and we want you to see the quality-of-care patients receive every day. This virtual experience exemplifies our commitment to transparency, allowing you to explore our entire facility, reducing pre-visit anxiety and fostering trust.

Why Middlesex Endoscopy Center?

• Comprehensive and Inviting Facilities: Experience healthcare in an environment where cleanliness and comfort are paramount, from the lobby to the procedure rooms.
• Personalized Care: Our skilled professionals are dedicated to your unique health needs, ensuring a patient-centered approach throughout your visit.
• Informed Decisions: The virtual tour and detailed photography gallery offer insights into our center, promoting transparency and confidence in your healthcare choices.

At Middlesex Endoscopy Center, we blend unparalleled medical care with an environment that prioritizes your comfort and peace of mind. We invite you to discover the difference at our meticulously maintained facility.

Wayne, NJ – North Jersey Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Center invites you to experience the exceptional care and inviting atmosphere of our entire facility. Known for excellence in healthcare, our center’s clean and welcoming environment underscores our dedication to patient comfort and care.

Take the Google 360 Tour

Discover the comprehensive care we offer through an immersive 360 virtual tour, meticulously captured by a certified Google 360 photographer. From the welcoming reception area to our state-of-the-art procedure rooms and tranquil recovery spaces, every detail is designed with your well-being in mind. Transparency is one of our core values, and we want you to see the quality-of-care patients receive every day. This virtual experience exemplifies our commitment to transparency, allowing you to explore our entire facility, reducing pre-visit anxiety and fostering trust.

Why North Jersey Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Center?

• Comprehensive and Inviting Facilities: Experience healthcare in an environment where cleanliness and comfort are paramount, from the lobby to the procedure rooms.
• Personalized Care: Our skilled professionals are dedicated to your unique health needs, ensuring a patient-centered approach throughout your visit.
• Informed Decisions: The virtual tour and detailed photography gallery offer insights into our center, promoting transparency and confidence in your healthcare choices.

At North Jersey Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Center, we blend unparalleled medical care with an environment that prioritizes your comfort and peace of mind. We invite you to discover the difference at our meticulously maintained facility.

If you’re turning 45 and haven’t thought about colon cancer screening yet, you’re not alone. But here’s the truth: your first colonoscopy could be the most important appointment you ever make. (Do you know the 5 Reasons Why You Need a Colonoscopy?)

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S.—yet it’s one of the most preventable and treatable forms of cancer when caught early.

Why 45? New Guidelines Reflect a Changing Reality

For years, the standard age to begin screening was 50. But recent research shows that colon cancer is increasingly affecting younger adults. That’s why the American Cancer Society now recommends starting routine colon cancer screening at age 45, even if you have no symptoms or family history.

Screening earlier saves lives by detecting and removing polyps before they become cancerous—and a colonoscopy is the best way to determine if you have polyps or other concerns. Our team of experts at Gastrointestinal Specialists in Troy, Mich., can talk to you about if you need a colonoscopy and when.

You Might Not Have Symptoms

One of the reasons colon cancer can be so dangerous is because it often develops silently.

Common symptoms, which often don’t appear until later stages, include:

• Rectal bleeding
• Changes in bowel habits
• Unexplained weight loss
• Abdominal pain or fatigue

That’s why a colonoscopy is your best tool for early detection. It’s not just diagnostic—it’s preventive.

Why Choose an On-Site Procedure at Our Surgical Center?

Many people delay screenings because they associate them with hospital visits, long waits, or high costs. But at our on-site surgical center at Gastrointestinal Specialists in Troy, Mich., your colonoscopy is:

• More convenient and streamlined
• Performed in a lower-cost, outpatient setting
• Scheduled quickly, with personalized care from your trusted GI team

What to Expect from Your First Colonoscopy

It’s not as bad as you might think. You’ll be comfortably sedated, and most patients don’t remember the procedure at all. The preparation (yes, the bowel cleanse) is often the toughest part—but our team will walk you through every step of your first colonoscopy to make it as easy and smooth as possible.

Schedule your Colonoscopy Now

If you’re 45 or older, or are younger and have risk factors like a family history of colon cancer, now is the time to have a colonoscopy. Contact Gastrointestinal Specialists in Troy, Mich., to schedule your appointment today. Our compassionate team is here to make the process smooth, supportive, and stress-free.