Midwest Gastro

There are a lot of diet and exercise books out there claiming to be the holy grail to a healthier body, but not many of them live up to the promise.  If someone is telling you that cutting out a certain food group or forgoing regular exercise is the key to good health, then there’s a good chance that what they’re selling is too good to be true.

Balance is the Key to Good Health

The diet that’s best for your gut is generally one that’s balanced — and that means you’re getting complex carbohydrates (with lots of fiber!), healthy fats and lean proteins.  It’s a simple approach, but sometimes we need more guidance.

Master Your Metabolism to Get Healthy

One diet book that preaches an approach we like is Jillian Michaels’ Master Your Metabolism.  You may know Jillian from NBC’s The Biggest Loser, but rest assured her tone in Master Your Metabolism is a little more friendly.

Look at the Science Behind the Diet

One of the things we appreciate about Master Your Metabolism is that it looks at the science behind the diet she’s recommending.  She explains that your metabolism isn’t just about burning calories.  It’s how hormones work to carry out the processes that make our bodies work — and how what we eat affects how well they do their jobs.

Practical Advice for Success

Even though we appreciate knowing the details behind why Jillian’s advice is solid, sometimes what we’re really looking for is simple, practical, easy-to-follow rules.  Jillian provides that in two sections: what not to eat and what to eat.  In a very small nutshell, here’s her advice:

What Not to Eat

• Unnatural chemicals (think artificial sweeteners)
• Trans fats (think margarine)
• Processed foods (think anything with high-fructose corn syrup)

What to Eat

• Complex carbs (think whole grains)
• Lean proteins (think sustainable fish, lean cuts of beef and chicken, Greek yogurt and milk, preferably organic if possible)
• Healthy fats (think avocados and nuts)

Check Your Gut Health at Midwest Gastro

As Kansas City’s leading digestive health specialists, we’re invested in your gut’s health.  Chat with us on facebook or twitter, or give us a call at 816-836-2200.

If you’ve also read the book, we’d love to hear your thoughts!

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http://www.google.com/zeitgeist/2012/#united-states/science

What are Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins affecting the anal canal. Internal hemorrhoids are inside the canal, and external hemorrhoids are near the opening of the anus.

Who Gets Hemorrhoids?

Anyone can get hemorrhoids, but they are more common during pregnancy or in overweight men and women.

How Do You Get Hemorrhoids?

Anything that puts too much pressure on the veins in the anus can lead to hemorrhoids.  For instance, diarrhea and constipation can both lead to increased straining to pass stools, which can then lead to hemorrhoids.

How Do I Know If I Have Hemorrhoids?

Symptoms of hemorrhoids include itching, rectal pain when cleaning the area, and bleeding during bowel movements (which is why it’s important to look at your poop).

How Are Hemorrhoids Diagnosed and Treated?

A doctor can diagnose hemorrhoids during a physical exam.  Sometimes a rectal exam is necessary, but other times, if there are no other risk factors, medical history and symptoms may be enough for a diagnosis.

Hemorrhoids are most often treated successfully at home by adding fiber to your diet, increasing water intake, and using over the counter treatments to ease pain and itching.

Sometimes hemorrhoids are severe enough that further action needs to be taken, either by having a doctor tie off or scar the hemorrhoids or with surgery.

How Do I Prevent Hemorrhoids?

Diet and exercise play a large role in preventing hemorrhoids.  Just as increasing fiber and water intake can help cure hemorrhoids, they also help prevent them.  Remember to avoid straining to pass bowel movements when possible.

Get Help From Kansas City’s Gastrointestinal Experts

If you have questions about your gastrointestinal health that Google can’t answer, turn to Midwest Gastroenterology.  We’re Kansas City’s leading digestive health specialists, and we’re invested in keeping you healthy.  Chat with us on facebook or twitter, or give us a call at 816-836-2200.

Filed under: Ask the Doctors, Hemorrhoids by midwestgastro
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Did you know there’s one simple change you can make to your diet that could help you prevent colon cancer, reduce your chance of heart disease, lower your cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose levels, reduce inflammation and even help you shed a few stubborn pounds?

Fiber: The Unsung Dietary Hero

Despite all these health benefits, most Americans get less than half of the fiber they need.  The average American only eats 10 to 15 grams of fiber a day, but we should all be eating 20 to 35 grams of fiber every single day.

What is Fiber?

Fiber is found in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.  It’s actually the part of those foods that we don’t absorb or digest, meaning it passes through your digestive system basically intact.

It may seem counterintuitive that this is a good thing, but it actually helps create bulk in your stool, which in turn helps move it and everything else through your digestive tract.

The Benefits of Fiber

The first thing you’ll notice if you aren’t getting enough fiber is that your digestive system just isn’t working as well as it should.  We’re talking irregular bowel movements, constipation and sluggish bowels.

Eating more fiber will automatically make you feel better, but it also helps remove dangerous carcinogens from your body.  Additionally, fiber helps you feel more full, so it can help you with efforts to eat less.

Where to Find Fiber

Fiber is actually readily available in a balanced, whole foods diet.  There are actually two types of fiber — soluble and insoluble — and you need both.  Soluble fiber dissolves in water and helps lower cholesterol and glucose levels, whereas insoluble fiber absorbs water and adds bulk to your stool to help move things along faster.

Sources of Soluble Fiber

• Oatmeal
• Brown or wild rice
• Beans and other legumes
• Apples
• Oranges and other citrus fruits

Sources of Insoluble Fiber

• Whole grains (like whole wheat flour)
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Brussels sprouts
• Broccoli
• Nuts

Make Digestive Health a Priority

You’ve heard the old adage, “you are what you eat,” and it’s true that your digestive health affects every other body system.  That’s why Midwest Gastroenterology is committed to being Kansas City’s leading digestive health specialists.  If you have questions about your digestive health, we’re here to help.  Chat with us on facebook or twitter, or give us a call at 816-836-2200.

Care to share? What are your favorite fiber-rich foods?

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Hard, dry, and/or pellet-like — When poop stays in your intestines too long, the water in it is reabsorbed.  This can be due to lack of dietary fiber, dehydration or constipation caused by other issues (like certain medications).

Liquid — This means poop is moving through your system too quickly so that water is not being absorbed fast enough.  This can be due to an increase in fiber, a cleanse or an infection.  If symptoms persist, see a doctor.

Pencil thin — If your poop comes out unusually thin and stays that way, it could be a sign that something is constricting the stool.  There are different schools of thought on this, but it might be best to see a doctor if symptoms persist or get worse.

Floats — If your poop floats, then your body is not absorbing fats properly.  This can be due to weight loss drugs, Olestra (found in fat-free potato chips, for example) or a malabsorption condition.

Smell

Once again, consistency is really the key here.  If your poop smells particularly bad or has a weird odor, it could be cause for concern.  Some causes are certain medications, constipation, an infection, etc.  Just like the previous symptoms, if they persist, talk to your doctor.

Shade

Poop from a healthy system is usually a deep brown color.  Some foods can affect the color of your poop as well.  For instance, foods like beets or leafy greens — especially if not eaten as a normal part of your diet — can change the color of your poop.

While the following colors can be attributed to many things, they could be a sign of something serious:

• Red
• Green
• Yellow
• White
• Black

If you are seeing any of these colors on a regular basis, consult your doctor — don’t wait!

Midwest Gastro: The Poop Experts!

It may seem like a weird thing to be proud of, but we take great pride in being experts on poop!  In fact, we’re Kansas City’s leading digestive health specialists at Midwest Gastro, and we’re invested in keeping you and your poop healthy.

If you have questions about your digestive health, we’re here to help.  Chat with us on facebook or twitter, or give us a call at 816-836-2200.

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As we wrap up Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, our dedication to preventing colorectal cancer doesn’t stop.  Here’s how you can stay involved, too.

Share What You’ve Learned

If you know people who could benefit from what you’ve learned during the month of March, then share your knowledge with them!  Here are some ways to do just that:

• Send them to the colon cancer posts you’ve read here.
• Send them to the Colon Cancer Alliance website.
• Share the video below with them.
• Tell them directly what their health and wellness means to you, either in person or in a letter or email.

Share When You Get Screened

If you are age 50 or older or have other risk factors for colorectal cancer, then you know you need to get screened!  When you do, share it and your reasons for doing so with your friends and family on facebook or by tweeting with the hashtag #Getscreened4.

It may seem weird to share that you’re getting or have gotten a colonoscopy, but the more we get comfortable talking about our butts, the healthier they’ll be!

Sign Up for an Colon Cancer Support Event

There are events all year round that support colon cancer.  You can sign up for a run/walk like the Undy 5000 or the Get Your Rear in Gear run/walk, both of which happen all across the nation.  There are also local runs in plenty of cities.

If you’re not a runner or a walker, then you can still volunteer your time or donate your funds to help colon cancer awareness and research.

Get Your Colon Cancer Questions Answered Year Round at Midwest Gastro

As Kansas City’s Premiere Digestive Health Specialists, we’re obviously invested in preventing and treating colorectal cancer every day of the year.  If you have questions or concerns, we’re here to help.  Chat with us on facebook or twitter, or give us a call at 816-836-2200.

Filed under: Colon Cancer by midwestgastro
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One of the most important parts of Colon Cancer Awareness Month is helping people learn about the symptoms of colon cancer so they know what to look out for — and that it’s OK to talk about your poop.

Colorectal Cancer’s First Symptom is No Symptom

This is the most important point about colorectal cancer symptoms, and it’s why screening is so important.  Colorectal cancer often presents without easily recognizable symptoms at first.

Waiting for symptoms to show up can lead to later diagnosis, which leads to more difficult treatment and a lower chance for recovery.  If you’re age 50 or older or have a heightened risk, then make it a priority to get screened.  It could literally save your life.

Symptoms to Watch Out For

If you have any of the following symptoms, you should give one of our gastroenterologists a call.  They can be symptoms of many conditions other than colorectal cancer, but they’re signs that something isn’t quite right with your gastrointestinal system.

• A change in your bowel movements, such as constipation, diarrhea or another change in the consistency of your stool
• A feeling that your bowel doesn’t empty completely
• Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool
• Persistent abdominal cramps, gas, bloating, pain or discomfort
• Weakness or fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss
• Nausea or vomiting

Everybody Poops

We understand that it can be embarrassing to bring up these kinds of symptoms with your doctor.  But you’ve got to remember, everybody poops!  It’s a natural part of being human, and you shouldn’t be afraid to discuss any unusual symptoms with a doctor.

If you have questions about your gastrointestinal health, we’d love to talk with you.  As the leading digestive health center in the Kansas City area, we’ve heard it all!  Chat with us on facebook or twitter, or give us a call at 816-836-2200.

Filed under: Colon Cancer by midwestgastro
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The statistics are no joke when it comes to colorectal cancer.  If you want to convince the hero in your life to get screened, these facts can help your loved ones understand just how important it is.

Colon Cancer Prevalence

This year alone, the American Cancer Society estimates that 142,820 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer.  More than 50,000 people will die this year, too.  That’s a statistic we have to change.

Colon Cancer Diagnosis and Survival Rates

The positive thing about colon cancer is that it is highly treatable when found early. In many cases, screening can detect pre-cancerous polyps, which can be removed before they ever become cancer.

Unfortunately, most colon cancers are not found early.  The Colon Cancer Alliance reports that only 39 percent of colon cancers are found before they spread outside the colon or rectum — but more than 90 percent of those diagnosed at that stage survive more than 5 years.

Unfortunately, another 57 percent of cancers are found once they’ve spread to surrounding tissue or distant organs.  At that state, the 5-year survival rates drop to 69 percent and 12 percent respectively.

Risk Factors for Colon Cancer

While 90 percent of new cases and 95 percent of deaths from colon cancer are in people age 50 or older, men and women of any age can be diagnosed.  For instance, The Colon Club’s Colondar, a calendar dedicated to raising awareness for colon cancer, features young survivors of colorectal cancer as a reminder that people need to be aware of the risk factors and danger signs so they can be screened appropriately.

Ethnicity and Race

African-American men and women are at higher risk for developing colon cancer, and they also have a lower survival rate, due at least in part to lower screening rates.  Additionally, Jews of Eastern European descent may have a higher rate of colon cancer, and the risk of death is increased for Native Americans and Alaskan Natives.

Family History

If you have a parent, sibling or a child who has been diagnosed with colon cancer, you have a significantly higher risk — 2 to 3 times as high — of developing colon cancer as well.  And if you’ve seen a family member go through the fight against colon cancer, then hopefully you understand the need to be screened regularly.

Learn More About National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

The great news is that there are already more than one million colon cancer survivors in the United States alone, and we’re committed to growing that number.  If you’d like to learn more about National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month or how you can get involved, visit the Colon Cancer Alliance website for more information.

As the leading digestive health center in the Kansas City area, we’re invested in the gastrointestinal health of our community.  If you have any questions about colon cancer screening, prevention and treatment, we’d love to talk to you.  Chat with us on twitter or facebook, or give us a call at 816-836-2200.

Filed under: Colon Cancer by midwestgastro
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March is one of our favorite months of the year here at Midwest Gastroenterology.  We’re celebrating Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and we hope you’ll join us!

About Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Back in the year 2000, President Bill Clinton dedicated March as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and each year the community support for the event has grown.

In 2004, the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable introduced the Blue Star as the symbol of our fight against colon cancer.  For us and all who promote it, the star represents the memory of those whose lives who have been lost to the disease as well as hope for a future free of colon cancer.

About Colorectal Cancer

We’ll talk more about colorectal cancer in the coming weeks, but here’s what you need to know right off the bat.  When discovered early, colon cancer is high treatable.

That’s why screening is incredibly important.  If you have a family history of colon cancer, are age 50 or older, or have been told you’re at high risk, then make getting a colonoscopy a top priority.

Has the Hero In Your Life Been Screened?

This year’s Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month campaign is “Has the hero in your life been screened?”  We all know people who have touched our lives in special ways.

This March is a great time to return the favor by encouraging the heroes in your life to get screened for colon cancer.

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and it’s up to 90 percent preventable through proper screening.  Share how important screening is to the heroes in your life, especially if they’re high risk, age 50 or older, or if they have a family history of the disease.

Learn More About National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

If you’d like to learn more about National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month or how you can get involved, check out the Colon Cancer Alliance website for more information.

Additionally, as big supporters of the cause as well as the leading digestive health center in the Kansas city area, we’d love to talk to you if you have any questions about colon cancer screening, prevention and treatment.

Chat with us on twitter or facebook, or give us a call at 816-836-2200.

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Ever walk into a bathroom and go “ahhhh…. this is nice?” While public restrooms can have a bad rap, many businesses in Kansas City have gone out of their way to use their restrooms as an opportunity for great customer service. Clean floors, beautiful tile work, gorgeous sinks and even complimentary mouthwash are all features some offer when it comes to restrooms.

Last year, Spin! Pizza took home the prize of 2011′s Kansas City’s Best Bathroom with their private stalls, beautiful tiled walls and modern sinks. Will they keep the crown this year or is there another Kansas City business that has great restrooms?

Nominate your favorite Kansas City Bathroom

We’re hosting our contest once again this year to see who has the best restroom in Kansas City. Nominate your favorite restroom by leaving a comment on our Midwest Gastro Facebook page or in this blog post! We’ll compile all nominations until Dec. 14 and then put it in your hands to determine who wins! If you nominate the winning restroom, you’ll receive a $50 gift card to the winning venue.

Voting for Kansas City’s Best Bathroom

We’ll open voting via Facebook on Dec. 17 and ask you to make a selection on which business YOU think has the best restroom in Kansas City. By voting, you’ll be entered into a drawing and have the opportunity to win a $50 gift card to the winning venue. You’ll also be helping support a Kansas City business and thanking them for caring enough about its customers to take of the john.

So let’s hear ‘em – who do YOU think has the best restroom in Kansas City? Tell us on Facebook or leave a comment below!

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Flatulence is a funny thing. When babies and toddlers pass gas we chuckle and think it’s cute, but when elementary and middle-school aged boys pass gas we quickly instruct them to not laugh – it’s inappropriate. In high school, passing gas is unheard of for teenage girls. For teenage boys, it’s a right of passage. By the time you’ve made it to your twenties,  it’s as though nobody passes gas – or at least in public. Some guys still “let ‘er rip” in front of loved ones. And in a few rare households, the kids do know that mommy does fart. But generally, once we hit adulthood, we don’t pass gas and do everything we can to avoid letting it slip.

While society doesn’t necessarily look positively upon having gas (particularly in an airplane), it’s a necessary evil sometimes. Gas is a very natural response to the body’s digestive system. Everyone passes gas at some point or another. Yes, some tend to pass more than others (and it’s documented that guys pass more gas than gals.) But just about everyone experiences flatulence at some point or another.

Do you pass too much gas?

So how much gas is normal? The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC) says that people pass 1 to 4 pints of gas each day … which equates to passing gas around 14 times. Each person is unique and some pass much more. Other pass much less. Gas is caused by the breakdown of foods and swallowed air. Although it’s common, gas can bring discomfort to individuals, especially if the gas is accompanied by bloating, pain and foul smelling odors.

Sometimes those who eat foods difficult to digest experience an increase in gas production. For example, many who begin eating Fiber One bars experience more flatulence immediately. Over time the body will adjust to the increased fiber intake and produce less gas, but it’s normal in the beginning to experience increased bloating. People also experience more gas if they are intolerant to certain foods yet consume them anyway, such as dairy products.

How do I pass less gas?

Although gas is natural and oftentimes uncontrollable, there are some choices you can make that will cut down on the amount of gas you pass. Some include:

• Chew your food longer – taking large gulps of food and air increases gas production.
• Avoid gas-producing foods such as beans, cabbage, fiber-filled foods, leafy greens, etc. (Although these foods are healthy choices for you, you might want to avoid them before you fly or present at a big meeting, if you get our drift.)
• Say no to soda – pop/carbonated beverages can increase gas production.
• Avoid eating sugar immediately following protein. A piece of cake following a large steak is almost a sure way to pass gas the rest of the evening.
• Take probiotics and eat yogurt with live active cultures to increase good bacteria in your gut.

Read more natural remedies on how to reduce gas.

Still have gas problem? See a doctor.

Yes, gas is very normal. Although it can be uncomfortable, smelly and embarrassing – most individuals’ gas production is a part of life. However for others, gas production runs their life. If you’re experiencing much more gas production than what is normal and changes in your diet and lifestyle have not cut down your flatulence, consider seeing a doctor. You may have an allergy, intolerance or other disorder that is creating your gas problems.

To see a physician at Midwest Gastroenterology, please request an appointment or call us at (816) 836-2200.

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