When it comes to your gut, there is much more than meets the eye. New research is discovering just how much the gut affects our overall well being.
It is important to understand just how the gut works and how it impacts our health. A gastroenterologist can treat any issues impacting the gut and digestive system, playing a big role in your health.
The Gut Brain Connection
Most people don’t realize how the brain and gut are interconnected. The fact is the gut has a huge impact on your health. Recent studies have found depression and anxiety can be signs of a gut issue. The gut is responsible for 70% of our immune system and where a majority of our serotonin is produced. In order for us to feel our best and our gut to function optimally, we need to protect our gut from bacteria that is bad and feed our gut the necessary good bacteria.
Signs of Gut Issues
We all experience the occasional problem with our gut and digestive system at some point. It is important to identify persistent or recurring symptoms that may be a warning sign and indicate it is time to see a gastroenterologist. These problems in the gut include:
Vomiting and Nausea
Constipation
Loose stools or diarrhea
Stomach pains or bloating
Unexpected weight loss
Consume Gut Healthy Foods
Our overall culture of food is based around a lot of processed and fast foods. Which has lead to many people dealing with gut problems. Improving our diet can really impact the health of our gut. Gut healthy foods encompasses the following:
Live yogurt and kefir
Fresh vegetables and avocados
Nuts and seeds
Olive oil and garlic
Low fructose fruits such as citrus and berries
Lean protein such as salmon
Foods that are high in sugar and bad fats can leave our gut in distress. These foods include:
High sugar diets
Low fiber diets
Seed oils and vegetables
Antibiotics and other medications
Alcohol
Why Choose A Gastroenterologist for your gut issues? The American College of Gastroenterology Explains
The unique training that Gastroenterologists complete provides them with the ability to provide high quality, comprehensive care for patients with a wide variety of gastrointestinal ailments. Gastroenterologists perform the bulk of research involving gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures as well as the interpretation of results, and are considered experts in the field.
Studies have shown that Gastroenterologists perform higher quality colonoscopy examinations and comprehensive consultative services when compared to other physicians. This translates into more accurate detection of polyps and cancer by colonoscopy when performed by Gastroenterologists, fewer complications from procedures and fewer days in the hospital for many gastrointestinal conditions managed by trained gastroenterology specialists. It is this ability to provide more complete, accurate, and thorough care for patients with gastrointestinal conditions, which distinguishes Gastroenterologists from other physicians that provide some similar services.
Don’t ignore recurring gut issues
Digestive diseases tend to be complex and may not look or feel like any other patient’s set of symptoms. This is why experience coming from a specialist is key. For example, those patients with IBD may have a nearby IBD center with gastroenterologists specializing in IBD information, guidelines, and research
If you or a loved one has a question about their digestive health, please don’t hesitate to contact Gastroenterology Consultants of Central Florida, we work with you, your primary care physician, and your insurance company to ensure a treatment protocol that is designed to meet your specific needs.