Call for an appointment today!
908.818.0129
Convenient Locations in Flemington and Somerville
Hunterdon Gastroenterology Associates | Digestive Health Specialists – Flemington, NJHunterdon Gastroenterology Associates | Digestive Health Specialists – Flemington, NJHunterdon Gastroenterology Associates | Digestive Health Specialists – Flemington, NJHunterdon Gastroenterology Associates | Digestive Health Specialists – Flemington, NJ
  • Services
    • Digestive Health
      • Upper GI
      • Lower GI
      • Hemorrhoids
      • Bowel Control/ Fecal Incontinence
      • FAQs
    • Liver Disease Program
      • Hepatitis Care
      • Liver Function Testing
      • Alcohol-related Liver Disease
      • Liver Cancer
      • FAQs
    • Colon Cancer Prevention & Detection
      • Minimize Your Risk
      • Risk factors
      • Symptoms
      • FAQs
  • Education
    • Barretts
    • Celiac Disease
    • Colon Cancer Prevention
    • Crohn’s Disease
    • Digestive Health
    • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
    • Hemorrhoids
    • Hepatitis C
    • Pancreatic Cancer
    • Primary Biliary Cholangitis
  • Patient Resources
    • Patient Forms
    • Insurance Information
    • Procedure Instructions
    • Preparation Instructions
    • FAQs
    • Newsletter
  • Hunterdon Endosurgery Center
    • Procedures
    • Procedure Instructions
    • Preparation Instructions
  • About Us
    • Our Doctors
    • Our Staff
    • Success Stories
    • Careers
    • Blog
    • Privacy policy
  • Contact
  • Online Bill Pay
    • Hunterdon Gastroenterology Associates
    • Hunterdon Endosurgery Center

A Healthy Gut Keeps The Body Happy And Healthy

    Home Digestion A Healthy Gut Keeps The Body Happy And Healthy
    NextPrevious

    A Healthy Gut Keeps The Body Happy And Healthy

    By brooke@bsquared.media | Digestion | Comments are Closed | 21 May, 2021 | 0

    “Gut Health” is used to describe the function and balance of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract.  A healthy gut contains healthy bacteria and immune cells which fight off bacteria, viruses, and fungi to keep the body healthy.  A healthy gut contributes to a strong immune system, heart health, brain health, mood, sleep, effective digestion, and can even prevent autoimmune diseases and cancers.

     Key indications of an unhealthy gut include…

    Upset Stomach

    An upset stomach can include gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and even heartburn.  An unbalanced gut will have difficulty processing foods and eliminating wastes.

    A High Sugar Diet

    A diet high in processed foods and added sugars can decrease the good bacteria in your gut. This imbalance can cause sugar cravings. High amounts of refined sugars, particularly high-fructose corn syrup, have been linked to increased inflammation in the body. Inflammation can be the precursor to several diseases and even cancers.

    Unintentional weight changes

    Gaining or losing weight without making changes to your diet or exercise habits may be a sign of an unhealthy gut. An imbalanced gut can impair your body’s ability to absorb nutrients, regulate blood sugar, and store fat. Weight loss may be caused by small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), while weight gain may be caused by insulin resistance or the urge to overeat due to decreased nutrient absorption.

    Sleep disturbances or constant fatigue

    An unhealthy gut may contribute to sleep disturbances such as insomnia or poor sleep, and therefore lead to chronic fatigue. The majority of the body’s serotonin, a hormone that affects mood and sleep, is produced in the gut.

    Skin irritation

    Skin conditions like eczema may be related to a damaged gut. Inflammation in the gut caused by a poor diet or food allergies may cause increased “leaking” of certain proteins out into the body, which can in turn irritate the skin and cause conditions such as eczema.

    Autoimmune conditions

    Medical researchers are continually finding new evidence of the impact of the gut on the immune system. It is thought that an unhealthy gut may increase systemic inflammation and alter the proper functioning of the immune system. This can lead to autoimmune diseases, where the body attacks itself rather than harmful invaders.

    Food intolerances

    Food intolerances are the result of difficulty digesting certain foods (this is different than a food allergy, which is caused by an immune system reaction to certain foods). It’s thought that food intolerances may be caused by poor quality of bacteria in the gut. This can lead to difficulty digesting the trigger foods and unpleasant symptoms such as bloating, gas, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea.

     

    There are several testing options that are available to evaluate a person’s gut health.  The choice of testing procedure is dependent on your symptoms and history.

    Our testing options include: 

    • Blood testing
    • Hydrogen breath test:  A hydrogen breath test is used to measure exhaled hydrogen, which may indicate lactose or fructose malabsorption issues.  It can also be used to diagnose bacterial overgrowth syndrome.
    • Capsule endoscopy:  In this procedure, a capsule containing a digital camera, is swallowed.   The capsule transmits pictures to a recording device as it is digested.   When the images are downloaded, the physician can view the small intestine (located between the stomach and the large intestine).  This is an area that is difficult for us to examine by other means.  Capsule endoscopy allows us to find obscure bleeding sites and tumors and to identify Crohn’s disease (inflammation of the small intestine).
    • Bravo pH capsule test:  This test is used to detect whether your heartburn is the result of acid reflux.  In this procedure, we use an endoscope to attach a capsule to the lining of your esophagus.  The capsule collects information and wirelessly transmit it to a small recorder that you wear.  The physicians then analyze the information gathered from the recorder.
    • Esophageal manometry: This test involves a thin pressure-sensitive catheter that is inserted through the nose and into the esophagus.  This procedure evaluates swallowing difficulties.
    • Endoscopic Ultrasound: This procedure uses a thin, flexible tube with an ultrasound device at its tip to examine and/or take biopsies from the lining of the esophagus, stomach, beginning of the small intestine, pancreas, and rectum.

     

    Once your condition has been properly diagnosed and examined, our physicians can provide appropriate treatment options.  We will work together to make the best decision for your care.

    Don’t let discomfort stop you from leading your best life! To learn more about the Hunterdon Digestive Health Center or to schedule an appointment, please call us at 908-788-6448 or visit www.HunterdonGastro.com/contact.

     

    Source:

    https://health.ucdavis.edu/

    healthline.com/health/gut-health#signs-and-symptoms

    www.hunterdongastro.com

    autoimmune conditions, digestive health, fatigue, gut health, healthy body, healthy gut, healthy life, skin irritation

    Related Post

    • Heart Healthy Food

      Heart-Healthy Foods That Aid Digestion

      By brooke@bsquared.media | Comments are Closed

      February is National Heart Awareness Month: Research has shown that some of the same fiber-rich foods that are good for your gastrointestinal health are also good for your heart.   Vegetables and Fruit Leafy greenRead more

    • Cheers to a Healthier 2021

      By brooke@bsquared.media | Comments are Closed

      Cheers to a Healthier 2021… 2020 was a difficult year for many reasons.  Stress levels were elevated.  Consuming the wrong foods and drinks.  Not exercising.  Skipping our doctor visits.  All in all, just a yearRead more

    • What is Celiac Disease?

      By Hunterdon Gastroenterology Associates | Comments are Closed

      Celiac disease is a genetic autoimmune disorder in which the ingestion of gluten leads to serious damage in the small intestine. Gluten is a combination of proteins found in wheat, barley, and rye. Celiac diseaseRead more

    • Feb 2019 heart health

      February is National Heart Health Month! What Does Your Gut Have to do With Your Heart?

      By Hunterdon Gastroenterology Associates | Comments are Closed

      When most people think of heart health & their risk for having a heart attack or stroke, factors like cholesterol and blood pressure come to mind. But a new study by researchers at Cleveland Clinic shows thatRead more

    NextPrevious

    Why More Doctors Refer To Us

    • All physicians trained in American universities and Board-certified in Gastroenterology and Hepatology
    • Specially-trained liver specialist
    • The only endoscopic ultrasound physician in the area
    • Highly trained registered nurses (RN) and medical technicians
    • Convenient weekend and evening hours
    • AAAHC-accredited ambulatory care center
    • Leading-edge technology only available here
    • On-site phlebotomy (blood drawing), and pathology laboratory

    Flemington Office

    1100 Wescott Drive
    Suite 206 / 207
    Flemington, NJ 08822
    Phone: 908.483.4000
    Fax: 908.788.5090

    Directions

    Somerville Office

    135 West End Avenue
    Somerville, NJ 08876
    Phone: 908.483.4000
    Fax: 908.788.5090

    Directions

    FAQs

    • General FAQs
    • Colorectal Cancer FAQs
    • Digestive Health FAQs
    • Liver Disease FAQs

    Accreditation

    © 2016 Hunterdon Gastroenterology AssociatesFreshySites
    • Services
      • Digestive Health
        • Upper GI
        • Lower GI
        • Hemorrhoids
        • Bowel Control/ Fecal Incontinence
        • FAQs
      • Liver Disease Program
        • Hepatitis Care
        • Liver Function Testing
        • Alcohol-related Liver Disease
        • Liver Cancer
        • FAQs
      • Colon Cancer Prevention & Detection
        • Minimize Your Risk
        • Risk factors
        • Symptoms
        • FAQs
    • Education
      • Barretts
      • Celiac Disease
      • Colon Cancer Prevention
      • Crohn’s Disease
      • Digestive Health
      • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
      • Hemorrhoids
      • Hepatitis C
      • Pancreatic Cancer
      • Primary Biliary Cholangitis
    • Patient Resources
      • Patient Forms
      • Insurance Information
      • Procedure Instructions
      • Preparation Instructions
      • FAQs
      • Newsletter
    • Hunterdon Endosurgery Center
      • Procedures
      • Procedure Instructions
      • Preparation Instructions
    • About Us
      • Our Doctors
      • Our Staff
      • Success Stories
      • Careers
      • Blog
      • Privacy policy
    • Contact
    • Online Bill Pay
      • Hunterdon Gastroenterology Associates
      • Hunterdon Endosurgery Center
    Hunterdon Gastroenterology Associates | Digestive Health Specialists – Flemington, NJ