Welcome back to my blog! I hope you have enjoyed the puzzles on men’s health as well as the others in our library. As I previously mentioned, this month’s topic is Gastrointestinal Disorders. This topic is one that almost everyone has problems with at some point in their lives. It is frequently seen in general practice and can involve any area from the mouth to the anus. People often “adjust” their activities and lifestyle based on their gut and bowel habits. Topics include IBS, Constipation, Diarrhea, GERD, Peptic Ulcer Disease and Diverticulitis to name a few. For some people GI problems become a chronic condition as they “learn to live with it.” I personally suffered with Diverticulitis for many years before I was diagnosed, I ignored symptoms until it became a serious situation. As with any medical concern, the more you know about how your body works the more empowered you become to better manage your health.
Our society is so fast paced that many people do not have time to cook. Fast foods are normal in many households and as kids have sports and other busy activities it is difficult to juggle everything while still eating healthy. I have included dietary tips in these puzzles to help you make good choices. I also realize that eating healthy can be expensive and maximizing a grocery budget can be a challenge. It does take time and planning to structure healthy meals for your family, but the results are so worth the effort. Good eating habits that start in childhood continue into adulthood and contribute to a longer and healthier life. I always tell patients that if you follow a good diet 75 % of the time, they are doing good. Nobody has a perfect diet, and we all enjoy treats!
Some GI issues are mostly an annoyance, but others can be a symptom of something more serious and sinister. It is important to seek medical attention if something becomes a problem, it is also very important to have preventive care such as colonoscopy as recommended by your PCP. Chronic GERD can lead to Barrett’s Esophagitis which is a precursor to esophageal cancer. I have seen this scenario occur many times and unfortunately it is not always diagnosed in time to produce a positive outcome. This is just one of the common topics I cover here. It is important to educate yourself with accurate information which is what you will always find on my site.
As we enter the depths of winter my next puzzle pack topic is communicable diseases. In the winter months, at least in Michigan and other northern states, the windows are closed, and people and students share air and germs. Reducing the risk of communicable disease is possible by following simple recommendations. We will explore this topic further in next month’s pack. Thanks so much for visiting my site and I hope you return and share this site with others. Sandy
