Happy Summer! And Welcome Back to Your Quarterly Guide to Gut Health!
Welcome to the latest edition of our quarterly eblast, where we’ll dive into the relevant digestive health topics of the summer and early fall months. In July, we tackle the challenges of gastrointestinal discomfort exacerbated by the summer heat, alongside raising awareness for World Hepatitis Day on July 28. As August rolls in, we shift our focus to back-to-school bliss and set our focus on the causes of and treatments for gastroparesis, a condition where the stomach is delayed in emptying food. In September, we highlight Pain Awareness Month, offering insights into diagnosing and managing chronic pain, and commemorate Celiac Disease Awareness Day on September 13.
Thanks for joining us in your pursuit of digestive health! We’re proud to share this comprehensive resource with you, equipping you with the knowledge to nurture your gut and flourish throughout the year.
Beat the Heat: Managing GI Discomfort in Summer
As the summer heat rises, so do the challenges for those with gastrointestinal conditions. High temperatures can exacerbate symptoms, making it crucial to stay cool and hydrated. This July, we also recognize World Hepatitis Day on July 28, a time to raise awareness about hepatitis prevention and treatment. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver most often caused by a virus. In the United States, the most common types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, B and C. According to the CDC, tens of thousands of people are newly infected with viral hepatitis every year in the United States. It is a serious public health threat that kills thousands of Americans annually and is a leading cause of liver cancer. Hepatitis A and B are vaccine-preventable and hepatitis C can be cured. Stay informed and take proactive steps to ensure a comfortable and healthy summer season.
Learn more about gastrointestinal conditions that may cause pain here:
Learn more about hepatitis and its treatments here:
Back-to-School Health: Tackling Gastroparesis
August marks the return to school for students throughout the state. With that, we like to believe there’s also a renewed focus on health education by learning about your gut’s well-being. It’s also Gastroparesis Awareness Month, a time to delve deeper into understanding this condition.
Gastroparesis is a disorder that slows or stops the movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine, causing symptoms like nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. While studies estimate that 24 out of every 100,000 Americans have gastroparesis, it’s suspected that many more who are suffering haven’t been tested. Florida Digestive Health Specialists treat more than 500 patients every year with the disease.
Here’s a look back at when our team took on the Gastroparesis Pie Challenge to raise awareness for the little-known digestive disease:
Learn more about gastroparesis, its causes and treatments here:
Pain Awareness and Celiac Disease: A September Focus
In September, we shine a spotlight on Pain Awareness Month, offering strategies for diagnosing and managing gastrointestinal pain. GI pain can stem from various conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and gastroparesis. If you are experiencing ongoing pain, our specialists can help identify the root causes and discuss effective management techniques such as lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments, stress reduction and medical treatments.
Additionally, we commemorate Celiac Disease Awareness Day on September 13. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine, causing symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea and malnutrition.
Learn more about celiac disease, its causes and treatments here:
