Physical activity aids in proper digestion and promotes weight loss, both of which can naturally alleviate symptoms of acid reflux. In fact, researchers in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that reflux sufferers can reduce heartburn by up to 40 percent just by losing 10 to 15 pounds (Source: Sepalika).

Any type of exercise that gets your heart pumping and body moving can be beneficial for your digestive health, but you’ll want to proceed with caution. Certain kinds of exercise can actually exacerbate heartburn symptoms and discourage you from reaching your fitness goals. If you’re looking to develop a new fitness regimen, use these guidelines to keep your workout safe and heartburn-friendly.

Opt for low-impact – Running sprints on the treadmill or taking an intense aerobics class might sound great for weight loss, but these high-impact activities can force digestive acids into your esophagus where they can cause painful irritation. If you notice that a particular activity triggers heartburn symptoms, try something low-impact like walking or the elliptical. As your digestive symptoms improve, you can experiment with higher-impact exercises.

Keep your body upright – Remaining upright during exercise allows gravity to work in your favor by keeping food and digestive acids in your stomach. Use an incline bench when lifting weights instead of lying in the supine or decline position. When doing yoga or Pilates, avoid inverted poses which place the stomach above the esophagus. Ask your instructor for pose modifications which will allow you to continue exercising comfortably.

Tone down the intensity – High-intensity exercise causes blood to flow away from the digestive system to support your larger muscle groups. This slows down digestion and may trigger unwanted symptoms. If you notice heartburn developing during your workout, trying taking the intensity down a notch and see if your symptoms improve.

Try breathing exercises – A small study of GERD patients found that four weeks of breathing exercises improved reflux symptoms for up to nine months (Source: EverydayHealth). Ask a certified trainer or instructor for breathing exercises you can practice in the gym or at home to improve your reflux symptoms. You can also attend yoga, Pilates or tai chi classes which focus on breathing form and technique.

Committing to an exercise routine is just one way to improve your digestive health. Talk to your doctor about other treatments and lifestyle modifications that can help keep your acid reflux symptoms under control. With the right tools for symptom prevention and management, you’ll be able to enjoy newfound freedom without the fear of heartburn!

He’s experienced intense pain almost one thousand times by being bitten or stung by the smallest of creatures: insects. Schmidt recently developed the Schmidt Pain Index, which gives colorful comparisons of what it feels like to be the recipient of the bite or venom of bugs. He assembled a scale of over 70 different stings, from the irritating (which rated a 0) to the excruciating (which rated a 4).

Here are a few examples of Schmidt’s brilliant metaphors.

• Red Harvester Ant – bold and unrelenting. Somebody is using a drill to excavate your ingrown toenail.
• Bullet Ant – pure, intense, brilliant pain. Like fire-walking over flaming charcoal with a three-inch rusty nail in your heel.
• Tarantula Hawk – blinding, fierce, shockingly electric. A running hair drier has been dropped into your bubble bath (if you get stung by one you might as well lie down and scream).

While some patients have complained about the inconvenience of their colonoscopy or the chalky taste of the prep solution, a colonoscopy has never been likened to the sting of a Polybia Wasp: “A trick gone wrong. Your posterior is the target for a BB gun. Bull’s eye, over and over.”

If it is time for your colonoscopy, take comfort in knowing you won’t experience any pain registering on the Schmidt Pain Index! You are in the capable hands of a skilled gastroenterologist and a team of competent and caring staff. Your colonoscopy will help prevent colon cancer because precancerous polyps can be removed during the procedure, preventing them from growing into cancer. Thank you for making routine screenings a part of your preventative care! If you are 50 years of age or older and you have not had a colonoscopy, it is time for you to get screened. Make an appointment today by calling one of our centers (Source: Science Friday).

If so, you’re certainly not alone. Studies show that approximately 25 percent of Americans never exercise, and this number is even higher among heartburn sufferers. According to a survey sponsored by Pepcid, two out of five weekly heartburn sufferers report that they stopped being active because of digestive symptoms (Source: Verywell).

We often think of acid reflux as a condition brought on by spicy foods or overindulging at the dinner table, but many heartburn sufferers find that their reflux symptoms are exacerbated by physical activity. Exercise that is intense or involves jarring movements can force stomach acid into the esophagus where it can cause burning and irritation.

Although exercise may produce digestive symptoms for some individuals, it is actually a great way to reduce or relieve the overall occurrence of heartburn. Researchers in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that losing 10 to 15 pounds can actually reduce heartburn symptoms by up to 40 percent (Source: Sepalika). If you’re prone to experiencing acid reflux during your exercise routine, try using these techniques to prevent the burn:

Time Meals Around Your Workout

Giving food adequate time to digest can greatly reduce the occurrence of heartburn. Try to wait at least one to two hours after eating before lacing up your cross-trainers.

Turn Down the Intensity

Exercises that are low-intensity and low-impact are less likely to trigger heartburn. Try swapping out that long distance run or cycling class for yoga or swimming.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking water before, during and after your workout will help wash digestive acids out of the esophagus.

Dress Appropriately

Tight-fitting workout clothes place pressure on the midsection and may trigger heartburn. Opt for loose or flowy activewear that gives you plenty of room to breathe.

Save Protein For The Finish Line

Protein bars and shakes take longer to digest and may promote heartburn episodes during your workout. Save these supplements as a treat for after your cool down.

Exercise-induced heartburn can be a significant source of discouragement, but don’t let it stand in the way of reaching your fitness goals. Use these tips to keep reflux on the sidelines, and see a doctor if your symptoms persist. There are several treatments, prevention techniques and lifestyle changes that can keep you healthy, fit and heartburn-free!

A recent study by the American Cancer Society found that people born in 1990 have twice the risk of colon cancer and four times the risk of rectal cancer compared to people born in the 1950s.

If these figures prove one thing, it’s that you’re never too young to worry about colorectal cancer. With over 140,000 diagnoses and 50,000 deaths each year, it is the third-leading cause of cancer death in the United States. When discovered in its earliest stages, colorectal cancer is considered one of the most treatable types of cancers. However, low screening rates and failure to recognize symptoms means that the disease is often not detected until it has reached advanced stages.

Current screening guidelines recommend that individuals of average risk begin screening colonoscopies at the age of 50. This means that younger patients are typically not covered for colonoscopies unless they display certain symptoms or risk factors. While colorectal cancer often does not produce symptoms in its earliest stages, some patients may experience:

• Rectal bleeding
• Changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation or narrow stools
• Abdominal pain
• Increased gas production
• Stools that are bloody, black or tarry
• Unexplained weight loss

In addition to these symptoms, there are certain risk factors that should prompt you to discuss colorectal cancer risk with your doctor. These include:

• Age – Over 90 percent of all colon cancers develop in people over the age of 50
• Family history – Having a first-degree relative with colorectal cancer places you at increased risk. Talk to your doctor about earlier screening times for added protection.
• Obesity – People who are overweight or obese have a higher risk of colorectal cancer incidence and morbidity.
• Smoking and alcohol use – These lifestyle choices increase the risk of many cancers, including colorectal cancer.
• Sedentary lifestyle – According to the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, sedentary behavior increases colon cancer risk by 24 percent.
• Diet – High intake of red meat and processed meat is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer.

If you experience worrisome symptoms or if you are concerned about certain risk factors, schedule an appointment to talk to your doctor about colorectal cancer. While it’s possible that your symptoms can be attributed to less serious digestive issues, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Early detection and intervention gives you the best odds of treating – and beating – colorectal cancer.

It’s understandable why many patients are reluctant to seek help for IBS. Some may feel that their condition is not serious enough to warrant medical attention, while others may be too embarrassed to discuss their symptoms with their doctor. IBS that goes untreated will not produce permanent complications such as rectal bleeding or colon cancer, but it can greatly interfere with quality of life.

In many cases, IBS can be alleviated through simple modifications to your diet and lifestyle. Try making some of these changes to help manage your symptoms and maintain a healthy gut.

• Identify problem foods – Try to narrow down which foods aggravate your symptoms, and do your best to avoid them. Dairy, alcohol, caffeine and artificial sweeteners are often problematic for IBS sufferers. You may also be affected by foods that are fattening or cause gas.
• Eat at regular times – Sticking to a meal schedule helps to promote bowel regularity. Try to eat your meals at the same time every day. Avoid skipping meals and keep snacking to a minimum.
• Stay hydrated – Drinking plenty of water helps to prevent constipation, a common symptom of IBS. Limit intake of alcohol, caffeinated beverages and carbonated drinks, as these may cause gas or diarrhea.
• Bulk up on fiber – Fiber acts as a bulking agent to help move stool through the colon, but it may cause gas or cramping in some individuals. Increase your fiber intake by consuming a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. If these foods cause you to experience gas or bloating, try taking a fiber supplement instead.

Limit usage of over-the-counter medications – Anti-diarrheals and laxatives can be helpful in managing IBS symptoms, but these medications should be used sparingly. Incorrect usage could lead to complications, including an increase in your symptoms (Source: The Mayo Clinic).

IBS is not curable, but it is a manageable condition. If lifestyle and diet changes alone are not enough to manage your IBS symptoms, talk to your doctor about additional treatment options. Getting the right kind of help will improve more than just gut health – it will improve your quality of life!

The recent report, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, tracked data of several different cancers from 1975 to 2014. Mortality rates for 11 of the 16 most common cancers declined between 2010 and 2014. However, racial disparities still exist for many common types of cancer, and some death rates continue to rise.

Many five-year survival rates increased among both blacks and whites, but racial disparities have increased in prostate cancer and female breast cancer. “We still have a lot of work to do to understand the causes of these differences, but certainly differences in the kinds and timing of recommended treatments are likely to play a role,” said Dr. Lynne Penberthy, associate director of the U.S. National Cancer Institute's Surveillance Research Program.

Mortality rates for cancers of the lung, colon, prostate and breast have decreased in recent years. However, researchers noted an increase in death rates for liver, pancreas and brain cancer in men and liver and uterine cancer in women.

The cancers with the highest survival rates were:

• Prostate cancer – 99.3 percent
• Thyroid cancer – 98.3 percent
• Melanoma – 93.2 percent
• Female breast cancer – 90.8 percent

Cancers with the lowest survival rates included:

• Pancreatic cancer – 8.5 percent five-year survival rate
• Liver cancer – 18.1 percent
• Lung cancer – 18.7 percent
• Esophageal cancer – 20.5 percent
• Stomach cancer – 31.1 percent
• Brain cancer – 35 percent

Dr. Stephanie Bernik, chief of surgical oncology at Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, New York, was pleased with these findings. “It is encouraging to see that the immense drive to improving cancer survival is working, as overall survival from cancer continues to improve,” she said (Source: HealthDay).

This statistic may seem irrelevant, but the steady increase in antibiotic use is posing a serious global health threat. Our reliance on antibiotics leads to bacterial resistance.

A recent study suggests another danger of overusing antibiotics. The medical journal Gut published a study which found that long-term use of antibiotics significantly increased the chances of polyp formation, which could develop into colon cancer. Using data from the Nurses Health Study, researchers discovered that subjects who took antibiotics for two or more months between the ages of 20 and 39 were 36 percent more likely to be diagnosed with an adenoma or polyp compared to those who did not take antibiotics for an extended period during their 20s and 30s. The risk for adenoma development was even higher in the age category of 40 to 59. 

Although more research needs to be done to determine what exactly happens in the colon during antibiotic use, the theory is that antibiotics kill some of the normal gut bacteria, which allows for abnormal bacteria to thrive. Developing diarrhea after taking a course of antibiotics is quite common, and it could be a direct result of the elimination of the healthy gut bacteria.

Does this mean that doctors should stop prescribing antibiotics? The obvious answer to this question is “no.” Antibiotics are essential to treating bacterial infections, some of which could be fatal if left untreated. However, according to a study cited in the Washington Post, almost one-third of antibiotics that are prescribed in doctors’ offices, emergency rooms and clinics are not needed. This translates to 47 million unnecessary prescriptions distributed each year for viral conditions that do not respond to antibiotics. Some of these conditions include colds, sore throats, bronchitis, and flu.

Associate Professor Graham Newstead, the head of the colorectal unit at the Prince of Wales private hospital and director of Bowel Cancer Australia, shared some important insight. Newstead advises that antibiotics should be taken responsibly and only when necessary. “It does seem to indicate that people who have too many antibiotics might be at more risk of getting polyps than people who have less of them,” Newstead said. There is an undeniable link between antibiotics and polyps, and Newstead reminds us, “… not all polyps turn to cancer but the cancer comes from the polyps. If you have more polyps or tendency to get polyps then maybe you are slightly more at risk of getting cancer.”

Antibiotics are useful when prescribed correctly. This new study provides useful information to help patients examine their own symptoms before asking their doctor for an antibiotic. Matching an antibiotic to a condition which it will effectively treat will help prevent resistant strains of bacteria and may also help you prevent colon polyps (Source: The Guardian).