Is it not the colonoscopy itself that makes you apprehensive, but the prep for it? That’s understandable. It’s true that a colonoscopy isn’t like other medical tests where you go in, have an X-ray, and that’s it. The prep for a colonoscopy is an important part of making sure we can see everything there is to see in your colon – but it doesn’t have to be difficult!

You WANT a colonoscopy. Why? Because it’s the best way to PREVENT COLON CANCER.  When you have a colonoscopy, we can see the linings of your colon and check it out for any concerns, and remove any polyps that may be pre-cancerous.

That’s what the prep of colonoscopy is: Cleaning out your intestines as much as possible, so nothing is in the way of spotting anything of concern.

Here’s how you can make the most of your colonoscopy prep, and keep your colon healthy:

A FEW DAYS BEFORE

This is one of the only times we’ll tell you to hold off on those fiber-rich foods!

And when you do eat, have smaller portions. It’s quicker to run through your digestive system, and less to accumulate that has to be eliminated with the colonoscopy prep drink the night before your procedure!

By cutting down on the amounts of solid foods you’re eating a few days before, the diet restrictions the day before your colonoscopy and the day of the procedure also won’t seem as difficult.

• Stick to a diet of soups, eggs, rice, salmon, chicken, steamed vegetables, fruits, and light-colored foods.
• Skip high-fiber foods that take a while to digest like nuts, popcorn and red meat. Stay away from fried foods, and things difficult to digest like corn, peas and apple skins.

THE DAY BEFORE

Don’t eat ANY solid foods the day before your colonoscopy. Remember, we don’t want any remnants floating around your digestive system when we have the camera in there, so give your body at least a day with no solids.

• Clear liquids are good! Broth, black coffee or tea, clear juice or soft drinks, etc.
• Then it’s time for the infamous colonoscopy prep drink (and it’s really not so bad)!

THE COLONOSCOPY PREP DRINK: THE MOST IMPORTANT PART

Your doctor will give you instructions on drinking a specific liquid laxative designed to get rid of everything left over in your bowels – and, keep this in mind: if you haven’t had solid foods for a day or so before this, there will be a LOT less to expel from your intestines when it comes time for this part.

• Some tips to help things go more smoothly:
• Be sure to get some medicated wet wipes to use. Some with aloe will help you feel more comfortable.
• Clear your schedule for the evening when it comes time to drink your colonoscopy prep drink.
• Set up shop in or near the bathroom, with your laptop, book, movies, or something else to keep your mind occupied. Don’t forget the chargers!
• Chill your prep drink to make it easier to drink (a straw may help, too!).

The day of your colonoscopy:

We want your colon as empty as possible, so be sure to follow directions from your doctor on when to stop eating and drinking anything at all before your procedure.

When you come to our surgery center at Gastrointestinal Specialists, P.C., it’s less overwhelming than at a hospital (with all the same equipment and amenities) so you’ll get situated and ready to go!

We’ll go over the procedure and answer any lingering questions you may have.

You’ll have a sedative, which means you won’t really feel anything from the procedure itself. And, it’s over in about a half hour!

When the colonoscopy is over, you can feel relieved that you underwent a procedure designed to catch and prevent colon cancer before it starts (and any other concerns). Way to go on that self-care!

Schedule your Colonoscopy

If you’re 45 years old or have risk factors, contact us today to schedule your colonoscopy at Gastrointestinal Specialists, P.C. in Troy, Michigan.

Processed foods were created to help us out in our busy lives – because when it’s already processed, it’s generally quicker to prepare and has a longer shelf life (so we don’t have to go grocery shopping as often, in theory).

But anything that’s boxed and processed isn’t usually the healthiest choice for your gut. When foods are processed, they often take away nutrients and add excess salt and sugar and other preservatives.

Many of us have become accustomed to having processed foods as staples in our diets – but there are a few easy swaps you can start making now to adjust to a cleaner, healthier diet! (Even when you’re eating out!)

5 Easy Ways to Swap Out Processed Foods for a Healthier Gut

1.Trade white rice for brown rice

White rice is processed, therefore many of the nutrients are stripped during that process. Brown rice has more fiber (which we know is great for making you feel full and keeping your colon healthy!).

White rice also has more sugar in it – whereas brown rice contains nutrients like magnesium, niacin, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B1.

The nutrients kept in brown rice make it an energizing, healthy carb. Many diets that promote “no carbs” consider that most of the carbs many people eat are processed…but brown rice can be a great staple in your diet to fuel your body, clean your gut, and help you feel full with less food.

Plus, whole grains can help lower your colon cancer risk!

(And if you’re up for it, try trading your brown rice for even healthier options like quinoa or barley!)

2.Replace soda with carbonated water and fresh fruit (or just water!)

Nixing soda can be a hard habit to break – but if you make up your mind to do it, you can!

You still want the fizzy drink? Use carbonated soda water (without all the chemicals, sugar, and caffeine) and throw in fresh fruit. Cut up limes or lemons and have them on hand to squeeze and toss in there. Or maybe mix it up with some watermelon and cucumber for a refreshing twist!

Even replacing one can of soda with a glass of water can help start the trend. Water makes you feel full and replenishes lost fluids from your body to keep you from getting dehydrated.

Plus it doesn’t have all the sugars that your gut has to process.

3.Use real potatoes instead of instant flakes

When you’re coming home from work, it can save you a lot of time to make instant potatoes instead of cooking fresh ones. But, the real potatoes are worth it: They pack more nutrients, and can reduce inflammation in your colon.

Plus, the potatoes from the ground can help you feel more full! White potatoes are a resistant starch, full of probiotics that benefit gut health. Plus they’re high in potassium and low in sodium.

And if you’re thinking you want to stay away from carbs, fresh potatoes that are prepared in a healthy way are fresh and not processed, so they’re not as bad as you may think.

4.Instead of chips or cheesy crackers: Cheese and whole-grain crackers

Cheese has a way of filling you up and giving you nutrients to give you energy and stay full longer! When you are on the road and need a snack, it’s easy to pick up a bag of something…but fresh cheese and whole-grain crackers will work better!

Animal products like cheese contain protein and Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, and calcium – all essential to a healthy diet. And having enough calcium in your diet can help to prevent colorectal cancer. 

And the whole-grain crackers, although processed, are a better choice than chips for what you’re looking for in a snack. Whole grain, or multi-grain crackers, have fiber in them to keep you feeling full longer, and to help clean out your gut.

5. Switch from boxed cereal to oatmeal

You may have heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but you’re rushed in the morning so you just grab a quick bowl of cereal (or breakfast bar) to make sure you get something to start your day. Why not try some oatmeal? Not the packaged kind, but the rolled oats kind, and add your own toppings!

When you’re choosing your oatmeal, steel-cut oats are the least processed type, full of the most original nutrients. But rolled oats (or old-fashioned oats) and quick oats are still good for your gut!

Quick oats are the most processed of the types of oats, because they go through a partial-cooking process to make them a couple minutes quicker to cook than rolled oats. Make sure if you have Celiac Disease that you talk to your doctor first.

Oats – and oatmeal – are fantastic grains packed with fiber to help you feel full longer, give you energy, and keep your gut healthy (with everything flowing smoothly).

Toss some cinnamon on your oatmeal, or some cut up strawberries and blueberries. Or maybe some peaches, or bananas and walnuts. The healthy, flavorful choices are plentiful to make your breakfast something you (and your gut) look forward to!

Get your gut checked today!

When you use these 5 Easy Ways to Swap Out Processed Foods for a Healthier Gut,

make sure to talk to your GI doctor about any changes in your diet, so you can take into consideration things like gluten and lactose that may affect your gut health.

Give Gastrointestinal Specialists, P.C. a call today and we can do a couple quick tests to help you determine what’s going on in your gut, have a healthier gut, and help you with any gut discomfort you may have.

 

Even if your symptoms are depression, anxiety, migraines, infertility or other non-stomach issues

It may seem like a “trendy” thing to be gluten-free, but the truth is, nearly 1 in 100 people have Celiac Disease which gluten triggers, bringing on pain and discomfort – and many don’t even know that’s the cause.

Those of us who have Celiac Disease can benefit greatly from reducing or eliminating gluten from our diets – but diagnosing and treating Celiac Disease is important not only because of treating the discomfort, but Celiac Disease can also increase your risk of coronary artery disease and small bowel cancers, along with increasing your chance to have other autoimmune diseases.

That’s why it’s vital to listen to your gut (literally) and get tested if you have symptoms.

What IS Celiac Disease?

Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disease, where your body basically attacks the small intestine when it discovers a harmful intruder: Gluten.

Gluten is a protein in wheat, rye, and barley – so it’s in a lot of foods and beverages we consume. And even small amounts of gluten can trigger the response in your intestine.

It’s a bit of a family disease, too:  1 in 10 people with it have related family members who also have Celiac Disease.

In addition, Celiac Disease can develop at any age, once you’ve consumed gluten. And it make take a while for you to notice that the symptoms may be those of Celiac Disease. If left untreated, Celiac Disease can lead to a myriad of additional health problems – ones you may not think it could be a trigger of.

A strict gluten-free diet is the only treatment for Celiac Disease, and it’s life-long.

Symptoms of Celiac Disease

The symptoms of Celiac Disease vary greatly, and as a result can be difficult to diagnose purely by symptoms – which is why a blood test is the best way to determine if your issues can be cause by Celiac Disease.

Some common symptoms include:

• • Abdominal pain
  • Bloating and gas
  • Cognitive impairment
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Depression and anxiety
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches or migraines
  • Infertility
  • Iron-deficiency anemia
  • Itchy, blistery skin rash
  • Joint pain
  • Missed periods
  • Mouth ulcers and canker sores
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Seizures
  • Weight loss

 In kids, common symptoms can include:

• • Abdominal pain, bloating, and gas
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities
  • Chronic diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Damage to tooth enamel
  • Delayed puberty
  • Failure to thrive
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Iron-deficiency anemia
  • Irritability
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Pale, foul-smelling stools
  • Seizures and lack of muscle coordination
  • Short stature
  • Weight loss

Diagnosis of Celiac Disease

Since there are many other symptoms of Celiac Disease that you may be seemingly unrelated – such as Vitamin deficiencies, migraines, difficulty losing weight, and others – it’s a good idea to ask your doctor to be tested for Celiac Disease when discussing your ailments…especially if you have a family member that has Celiac Disease.

Get tested now for Celiac Disease

At Gastrointestinal Specialists, P.C. in Troy, Michigan, we can test you in our offices for Celiac Disease. Contact us today or schedule your appointment online.

 

You’ve been hearing about it more and more, and it’s true: Colon cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer deaths — but it can be prevented! Early detection is key. For everyone. Because an increasing number of people younger than 40 are being diagnosed with colon cancer … which we can all work to change.

Keeping yourself colon-cancer free means educating yourself about your risk factors, and taking care of your colon by getting a colonoscopy (at age 45, or sooner if you have risk factors).

Risk Factors

Cancer can develop without symptoms that you notice, but when you know your risk factors, you can be more aware of the potential for it to develop — and you can help prevent colon cancer or detect it in its earliest stages in order to increase your survival rate.

Family History

Know your family history: Has anyone in your direct bloodline (including parents, siblings, or children) been diagnosed with colon cancer?  It’s also important to know if any of them had any precancerous polyps that were detected, or any hereditary syndromes that may impact your chances for developing cancer.

Personal History

Beyond that, it’s vital to monitor your own personal history. If you have had any precancerous polyps detected in a prior colonoscopy, no matter how long ago, it’s imperative to continue monitoring things and having routine colonoscopies. Additionally, if you have other health conditions, you may be at increased risk.

Diet

While we are still learning more and more every day, some studies indicate that there may be a chance that what you eat can impact your risk for colon cancer.

In general, we’d love for everyone to eat a balanced, healthy diet full of fresh foods — for a plethora of reasons — and if it helps lower your risk for colon cancer, we’re all for it.

Missing a Colonoscopy

You know it’s something you have to do, but you put it off. But not getting your colonoscopy when you should puts you at greater risk of developing colon cancer in its later stages, which makes it less treatable. In fact, colon cancer mortality doubles if you skip your colonoscopy.

How to Prevent Colorectal Cancer

You know your risk factors, and you’re discussing them with your doctor. The number one way for you to prevent colon cancer is to have a colonoscopy — by age 45, or sooner if you have those risk factors.

A colonoscopy isn’t just about detecting if you already have colon cancer: A colonoscopy can prevent colon cancer by actually looking into your digestive tract to see if there are any polyps hanging around. Polyps usually have no symptoms, so we need to be able to have a camera go through to see. And those polyps can be precancerous — so by locating and removing them, we’re able to prevent colon cancer.

For anyone with colon cancer risk factors including a personal history of colon polyps or a family history of colon cancer, a screening colonoscopy, not a stool test, is the right test for you.

In addition, you want to follow tips for a healthy colon to reduce the chances of those polyps even developing in the first place.

Again, what you eat can also play a part: Diet can help prevent colon cancer. Taking care of your health now is benefitting you in the long run — so go ahead and schedule your colonoscopy today!

Call Gastrointestinal Specialists, P.C.

We’re seeing patients for all your intestinal concerns and scheduling colonoscopies — even our Colonoscopy Now — so contact us today to set up your appointment!

You’ve heard along the way how alcohol can damage the liver – but do you know how alcohol affects your gut (and why it matters)?

1. Can damage GI tract

Your gut (also known as your intestines, colon, gastrointestinal tract, GI tract, and digestive tract) is the first place anything ingested comes into lasting contact within your body. Consuming alcohol – especially chronically and in large amounts – can damage your gut, and in turn spill over into the rest of your body.

Alcohol Irritates the gut and causes inflammation in your intestines. If your gut is inflamed it’s harder for it to absorb nutrients.

If nutrients aren’t absorbed, they’re just passing through and being eliminated as waste – which means your organs (and your body) aren’t getting the nutrients they need to stay strong and healthy. (And you could be “wasting” your healthy diet.)

Keeping your colon healthy is a big key in maintaining your overall health.

2. Can cause polyps – and increase risk of colon cancer

When alcohol is metabolized, it turns into a carcinogen in your body – and that can damage the cells in your colon, potentially causing mutations in those cells that can increase your risk for developing polyps.

While polyps themselves are benign at the beginning, that can turn into cancer – which is why it’s so important to have a colonoscopy, so the polyps can be detected and removed BEFORE they turn cancerous. Since polyps often present zero symptoms, a colonoscopy is the only way to know they’re present.

And that’s the best way for you to prevent colon cancer!

Ever gone out for a drink – or a night of drinks – and your time in the bathroom ends up a little different than normal?

On one hand, alcohol can speed up digestion, which can lead to diarrhea. However, on the other hand, it can delay digestion and lead to the opposite issue: Constipation.

You may have encountered one or both of these scenarios and didn’t give it a passing thought. However, repeated alcohol consumption – and the repeated diarrhea and constipation – can lead to more uncomfortable gut issues and concerns down the road than just an inconvenient bathroom trip or two.

Keep an eye on things with a colonoscopy

There are quite a few reasons for why you need a colonoscopy. And if you drink alcohol, there’s a simple way to check on how things are looking in your gut: With a colonoscopy. It will send a camera throughout your GI tract, and we’ll be able to see if there’s any inflammation – and how much – and if you have any polyps or other areas of concern. We can remove those polyps and actually PREVENT cancer by catching them before they become cancerous.

Schedule your colonoscopy now

If you’re 45 or older – or have personal or family history risk factors – it’s time for a colonoscopy. Call us today at (248) 273-9930 to schedule (or click here to make an appointment online). Gastrointestinal Specialists, P.C. in Troy, Michigan has a team of knowledgeable doctors – at our own surgical center and not a hospital – to make your colonoscopy as quick, simple, and painless as possible.

Dining out is such a treat: You don’t have to plan the meal, shop for it, cook it, or clean up after. But how can you make sure you stay healthy while you’re eating out — without feeling like a drag?

These 5 Easy Hacks to Create Healthy Habits When Eating Out are easy to implement without you feeling like you’re missing out:

Eat smaller portions (pack half to go!)

Food portions at restaurants are often double — if not triple — a healthy serving size. Not only does eating the entire meal mean you’re likely to get that overstuffed and full feeling by the time you realize you’ve eaten every delicious bit, but it also confuses your body about what it should do.

Your digestive system works hard to get everything you eat divvied up, and the more work it has to do, the more you’ll feel it when there’s a whole lot more food that needs to get broken down — because it also takes that much longer as your body works overtime. Smaller portions is just one way to naturally improve your digestive tract.

So, share a meal with someone — or ask for a container and immediately clear half your plate into your take-home meal for later!

Put your fork down between bites

It’s easy to quickly devour a flavorful meal in front of you (especially one you didn’t have to prepare!). But in doing so, you can easily eat more than you intended to before you even realize it.

A simple trick? Consciously put your fork down between bites.

Giving yourself a little more time to eat also gives you a chance to fully chew your food between bites, helping your digestive system out. And it also gives your brain some time to catch up with what’s going on in your stomach — so the alerts can go out when your stomach is getting full, instead of when it’s already way past stuffed. That way you can help prevent stomachaches! 

Skip the bread

You’re hungry. It’s going to be a while before your food arrives, and they placed fresh, warm bread on your table. With olive oil. Or soft butter. Or cinnamon butter. It looks so good, so you grab a piece while you wait.

Next thing you know, you’ve eaten a few pieces…and it seems like you don’t have quite the same amount of room for your main course anymore. But you finish it anyway, and then you have that overstuffed feeling.

Skip. The. Bread.

Did you go out to eat for the bread? (If so, then indulge!) But if not, keep your eye on the prize of enjoying your meal. That means skipping the bread in favor of filling up on flavorful food that fuels your body and fills you longer — because you know that once the bread gets digested when you leave you’ll have more room and be hungry again.

Drink water

While it’s tempting to order fancy drinks, milkshakes, or soft drinks while you’re out at a restaurant, drinking water with your meal is a healthier habit to keep. Drinking water aids your digestion by helping to make foods flow more smoothly through your digestive tract.

And the more immediate bonus? You’re not filling yourself up on beverages — because you went out for the food, right?

(Check out these 5 creative ways to increase water intake for good digestive health!)

Be mindful of your triggers

Let’s say you know that cheese doesn’t digest well with you, or that spaghetti sauce sets off your acid reflux…but everyone is meeting at the new pizza place and you love some good pizza.

Find yourself a healthy compromise to tell yourself beforehand. If you must indulge in a slice, limit yourself to one — and have a plan for what you can eat instead. A salad with all the toppings you normally don’t get yourself? A pasta with pesto sauce? An apple before you go to help you feel full?

When you have digestive concerns, thinking and planning ahead is part of better self care — because you’re worth it!

Keep your stomach healthy

Our team of doctors at Gastrointestinal Specialists, P.C., are well versed in how to help ease your stomach issues and keep you healthy — so contact us today to schedule an appointment!

 

Colon cancer is the second most common cancer in men and women in the United States.

As cases continue to rise in younger people, the American Cancer Society has lowered the age to 45 for a colonoscopy. Earlier screenings can help doctors to diagnose more cases and possibly prevent colon cancer in many patients.

But…What is a colon?

In the human body, the colon is also known as the large bowel or large intestine, and is part of the digestive system. This system holds a group of organs that allow us to eat and to convert our food to fuel for our bodies. A colon that is not functioning properly may cause issues such as abdominal pain, bloody stools, diarrhea, constipation, or even fever.

While a colonoscopy is essential for diagnosing colon cancer, it’s also important to take good care of your colon in the process too!

Here are 6 tips for a healthy colon:

1. Watch diet and exercise.

Carrying extra weight on your body increases the risk of colon cancer, along with other various types of cancer. Just 30 minutes of exercise a few days a week can make a difference for not only your overall health, but your colon health too. Try walking to get started.

2. Eat your veggies and fiber-rich foods.

Choosing healthy foods goes without saying in any list regarding health, but it’s especially true for colon health. Items like veggies and high-fiber foods can help prevent colon cancer, while fried foods and processed meats can help accelerate issues.

3. Limit alcohol and nix smoking.

Alcohol consumption should be no more than one drink a day for women or two drinks a day for men. And if you smoke, quit, as it doesn’t serve the body well in any capacity!

4. Drink plenty of fluids.

Drinking the recommended amount of water each day keeps the entire body, including your colon, healthy and functioning properly. Try these ideas for creative ways to drink more water.

5. Have regular bowel movements.

Your colon was not designed to hold onto waste, so it’s important to have 1-2 bowel movements each day to keep your colon healthy.

6. Get a colonoscopy.

A colonoscopy is more than a screening tool. It can prevent cancer by discovering precancerous changes, called polyps, and removing them before they develop further into cancer. Our board-certified gastroenterologists are ready to see you in our office to perform this potentially life-saving procedure.

Reminder: The year is almost over, and your deductible will reset in January. If you have a family history of colon cancer, or are experiencing symptoms that may be due to colon cancer, contact us today.

Our team at Gastrointestinal Specialists, PC in Troy, Michigan have the knowledge and experience to help you feel your best.

If you get stomach aches periodically, you’re not alone. An upset stomach can result from all sorts of things from stress and diet to more serious matters such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Celiac Disease or colon cancer.

While there is no comparison to care from one of our board-certified gastroenterologists, many stomach aches can easily be treated at home. However, if you have persistent issues or pain, or a sudden onset of severe symptoms, medical treatment is always your best option.

8 Natural Remedies for Stomach ache

Peppermint

The menthol in peppermint leaves has been used as a natural pain reliever to aid stomach problems for centuries. Try drinking it in a tea, chewing on mint gum, or sucking on a peppermint candy.

Apple Cider Vinegar

While not delicious to taste on its own, this pantry staple can be taken by the tablespoon to neutralize an upset stomach. Try mixing it with a cup of water and a teaspoon of honey. The acids inside may help decrease starch digestion, and keep the bacteria in the gut healthy.

Ginger

Ginger has been used since ancient times to help treat stomach aches, and science proves it truly can help. Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory and can be consumed in various forms – candy, capsules, or as tea – but fresh ginger root is best when looking to rid stomach pain.

Chamomile Tea

Long known as a sleepy time remedy, chamomile also can act as an anti-inflammatory, which can help stomach muscles relax and reduce the pain of cramping and spasms. Try it while sitting up before heading to bed.

Drink Water

When in doubt, drink fluids. Throughout the course of the day, we lose water through sweating, breathing, and digesting. It’s crucial to replace the water we lose to prevent dehydration and keep the GI tract running smoothly. Dehydration can cause bloating due to electrolyte imbalances and can halt digestion and cause constipation. Check out these 5 creative ways to increase water intake for some simple ways to up your H2O.

Exercise

Walking, cycling, and gentle stretching yoga with deep breathing can all be helpful when dealing with a stomach ache. Try gently twisting your back while sitting on your feet for starters as this can help relive gas pains.

Apply Heat

Try putting a heating pad or hot towel on your abdomen. The heat can help relax the muscles and relieve cramping. Taking a hot shower or bath with Epsom salts may also help.

Try the BRAT Diet

If the stomach pain is persistent, try sticking to the basics with the “BRAT” diet – that is, bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. These foods are low in fiber and high in binding, and none of them have salt or spices, which can aggravate the stomach more. It’s a great way to help combat nausea and diarrhea.

When to visit us

A stomach ache isn’t always a sign that you need to head to a doctor. But when it lasts for more than a few hours and it’s coupled with symptoms such as blood in your stool, rectal bleeding, paleness, weight loss, difficulty swallowing, yellowing of the eyes, or severe nausea or vomiting, then it’s best to visit us as soon as possible. Persistent stomach problems can indicate a more serious issue.

Have questions? Our team of doctors at Gastrointestinal Specialists, PC in Troy, Michigan have the knowledge and experience finding and treating diseases in the gastrointestinal tract to ease your stomach issues. Give us a call at (248) 273-9930 or request an appointment today.

Fact: Everyone has hemorrhoids.

You were born with them, and you’ll die with them, and we all just hope they won’t cause too much trouble along the way!

In fact, hemorrhoids are a normal part of our anatomy, and only become an issue if they are symptomatic.

But what are hemorrhoids exactly?

Simply put, hemorrhoids are veins around the anus or lower rectum that have become swollen and inflamed.

Hemorrhoids are common in both men and women and about half of all people will have an issue with them by the time they turn 50. Risk factors include frequent straining to have a bowel movement, pregnancy, obesity, aging, and chronic constipation or diarrhea.

Hemorrhoids can happen either inside the anus (internal hemorrhoids) or under the skin around the anus (external hemorrhoids).

External hemorrhoids are dilated veins covered by the skin near the anal opening. They may be felt as bumps or lumps near the outside of the anus, and become painful when they are swollen with blood.

Internal hemorrhoids are dilated veins that form inside the rectum and above the anal opening. However, in some situations they may enlarge and protrude out of the anus.

Symptoms of hemorrhoids

Both external and internal hemorrhoids may have no symptoms. But if they do, typical things to watch for include:

• Bright red blood covering the stool, on toilet paper, or in the toilet bowl
• Itching
• Pain and discomfort

Additionally, external hemorrhoids may also produce a hard, painful lump that is a result of blood pooling or clotting under the skin.

What is the treatment for hemorrhoids?

There are a variety of treatment options for hemorrhoids, such as a warm bath and use of a cream or other medicines. Patients with large hemorrhoids or ones that have not responded to other treatments may need banding or surgery.

Even if you choose to treat hemorrhoids at home, you should see us if there is any rectal bleeding to rule out a more serious condition like colorectal cancer.

Preventing hemorrhoids

There are a few ways to easily manage the symptoms of troublesome hemorrhoids:

• Making sure you have regular, healthy stools. Stools that can pass easily decrease pressure and straining, which are both risk factors for hemorrhoids.
• Increasing dietary fiber intake and drinking plenty of water.
• Emptying your bowels soon after the urge to go occurs.
• Not sitting on the toilet for more than 15 minutes, as this causes blood to pool down in those veins.
• Adding exercise to your routine and walking regularly.

Contact us

If hemorrhoids are causing issues in your daily life, it may be time to visit us a seek treatment options.

Life is too short to feel miserable! Call Gastrointestinal Specialists, P.C. in Troy, Michigan at (248) 273-9930 or request an appointment here.

Fall is a great time to swing back into a routine. Take some time this season to get your life organized and feel your best.

Here are ideas for 30 days to better self-care that go beyond a day at the spa:

1. Challenge yourself to drink more water. (Here are some creative ways to drink more.)
2. Start a gratitude journal and list 5 things you are thankful for daily.
3. Declutter the spaces where you spend the most time.
4. Read a book.
5. Make getting 8 hours of sleep each night a priority.
6. Exercise daily, even if it’s just a 20-minute walk.
7. Clean out your closet and keep only the clothing that fits and makes you feel good.
8. Try a new activity.
9. Practice yoga, or deep breathing.
10. Take a hike on a new trail and track mileage in a wellness journal.
11. Do a random act of kindness.
12. Make a vision board for the year.
13. Plan an outing with a friend.
14. Head out to do some stargazing.
15. Write down some inspiring quotes to hang on your bathroom mirror.
16. Watch the sunrise or sunset.
17. Create a healthy meal plan for the month (and make sure to chew slowly for better digestion).
18. Spend some time near water.
19. Take a break from social media – for a day, a week, or the entire month!
20. Disconnect from technology one hour before bed.
21. Spend a day in nature.
22. Clean out your inbox and desk space.
23. Print photos and put them into an album.
24. Watch a comedy and laugh!
25. Take a long, relaxing bath.
26. Brainstorm and schedule services to use to make your life easier. (Get your house cleaned, arrange grocery pick-up, or get your vehicle detailed).
27. Call a friend or relative you haven’t spoken with in a while.
28. Take time to do something creative, such as taking an art class.
29. Listen to an inspirational podcast.
30. Schedule doctor appointments and preventative screenings to take care of your body.

We think the last one is the most important! If you haven’t scheduled a colonoscopy and are over the age of 45, it’s time to call us to schedule a visit.

Visit us today

No one looks forward to colon cancer screenings, but they are an essential part of preventive self-care. If you’ve been avoiding getting screened, don’t put it off any longer. A colon cancer screening is one of the most important gifts you can give your family – and yourself.

Visit Gastrointestinal Specialists, P.C. in Troy, Michigan, to set-up an appointment today.