Summary: Keep your digestive health in top shape with tips from a digestive health expert that shows you how to improve GI health and relieve GI issues.
Blue skies, warm temps, barbecues, and laughter by the pool are all proof that the summer has arrived. However, the summer weather won’t be the only thing getting hotter. If you are dealing with digestive issues during the summer months, you don’t have to suffer alone. You can request a consultation with a gastrointestinal doctor at GI Associates & Endoscopy Center today to get more info on how you can enhance your gut health.
Give your body the break it deserves in the hotter months with a few tips and tricks on how you can manage your GI symptoms. Find info below from our Jackson, MS GI team.
What effect do high temps have on GI issues?
Rising temps will influence GI immunity and digestive capabilities. This can include loss of appetite during very warm days, dehydration, or other heat-related illnesses (such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion).
Heat waves alter the bacterial composition of your gastrointestinal tract, according to a study conducted by researchers in Zurich, Switzerland. This might help us understand why some stomach pain and other issues become in warmer months.
The higher temps cause blood flow to pivot in order to help maintain body temperature. Our gastrointestinal system is impacted to a greater deal in these cases. Thus, we may endure GI issues that cause stomach pain and diarrhea.
Even if you take proactive steps to avoid dehydration and additional symptoms related to heat, it’s not always possible to fully prevent it. Persistent symptoms need to be reviewed by our GI specialists at GI Associates & Endoscopy Center. Schedule a consultation with one of our GI doctors to receive the appropriate treatment for your heat-related GI issues.
Tips to Improve Digestive Health
Being proactive when the heat rises is a great way to help you soak in time with your friends and family. A few key things to focus on when you’re planning a day of fun in the sun can include:
- Avoid consuming milk products: While milk might provide temporary relief once it’s ingested, it may actually heat the body up. This includes dairy products like cheese, ice cream, and butter.
- Add probiotics into your diet: Kombucha, yogurt, and taking a probiotic may be ways to encourage good gut bacteria.
- Make physical activity a routine: Brisk walking, a quick run, and yoga can help with digestion. Incorporating movement into your everyday routine will assist with abdominal pain and reduce stress.
- Understand your hydration needs: Get enough water to make up for the loss due to an increase in sweat. This may include drinking 8 – 10 glasses of water a day.
Food Poisoning in the Hot Summer Months
With hotter temps, the probability of food poisoning increases. Prepping food outdoors may make safely handling food cumbersome, as bacteria can multiply faster than normal during the summertime heat.
Being aware of food poisoning symptoms is important in order to make the right decisions for treatment. Common symptoms include:
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Stomach cramps
- Upset stomach
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
Avoid letting the rising temps affect your lifestyle. When you’re expecting a heat wave, take time to safeguard healthy habits by focusing on your body. Drink a lot of water, eat foods with a lot of water like watermelon, strawberries, peaches, and oranges, and get help from our GI providers in Jackson, MS when you need help.
Cool Down While Improving your Gut Health
Your digestive health shouldn’t get in the way of enjoying summertime with your loved ones. Help your GI tract stay healthy this summer with support from a GI doctor at GI Associates & Endoscopy Center. Our understanding and expertise can help point you in the right direction. Don’t hold up your exciting summer plans and request a consultation at one of our practice locations in Jackson, MS.
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