Why Does Your Stomach Hurt While Traveling? QUICK GUT HEALTH TIPS FOR TRAVELERS
Picture this: You’re flying for a holiday reunion with your family. By the time you leave the airport after arriving at your destination, your stomach is already doing flips, and you haven’t even dug into your favorite family dishes yet.
Also, even if you wake up at 4 a.m. for your first flight, don’t gulp down coffee all morning. Overconsumption of beverages with lots of sugar, caffeine, or alcohol can irritate your gastrointestinal system, especially if you already have a sensitive stomach. Instead, drink plenty of water, which can also help alleviate the risk of constipation. If that’s your main concern, keep in mind that Dr. Ravella says a lack of fiber is the main reason for constipation while traveling. An easy way to avoid this is to eat whole-plant foods, even at restaurants. FOLLOW THESE TIPS WHEN YOU NEED HELP FAST. Dr. Ravella says that over-the-counter medications, such as antacids, can help your heartburn. If you struggle with mild traveler’s diarrhea, try to keep bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) and loperamide (Imodium) in your carry-on, ready at all times. If your symptoms worsen into fever, bloody diarrhea, bloody vomiting, or severe abdominal pain, see a health care provider right away. Lastly, if you really want to be comfortable while traveling, it might be worth trying a magnesium (magnesium bisglycinate chelate) supplement, which has been shown to improve jet lag and promote relaxation and sleep while traveling. Best of luck! Many dental patients ask why they might need a deep-cleaning. At our office, we often say a deep-cleaning is “gum infection therapy.” This cleaning addresses periodontal disease, an infection surrounding the gums and the bone that support the teeth. Without treatment, you could risk losing your teeth earlier in life. Some patients ask, “Can I just treat it with a regular cleaning?” The answer is no. The gum infection therapy deep-cleaning is not the same as a regular dental cleaning. Gum infection therapy is a dental procedure aimed at treating the gum disease, while a routine teeth cleaning is a procedure to prevent it. Gum infection therapy requires local anesthetic, a longer appointment time, and a very thorough removal of bacteria and tartar accumulation not only above or at the gumline but also under the gumline (roots of the teeth). Lasers can also be used to remove damaged tissues and promote new, healthy cell growth. WHY DO I NEED A DEEP-CLEANING?
If this situation sounds familiar, here’s how you can keep your gut
healthy, no matter where you are this winter.
TRAVELING IS STRESSFUL — EVEN FOR YOUR GUT. Dr. Shilpa Ravella, a gastroenterologist at NewYork-Presbyterian and Columbia University Medical Center, told Healthline, “Travel can be a hectic time … You may be eating out more and eating new foods in new locations, including more processed foods, and it’s easy to overeat in this setting, placing more stress on your digestive system than at home.” The best solution is to take things slow to avoid overeating. Not only does overeating stretch your stomach, but also “research has found that people who overeat are 10 times more likely to need emergency medical attention for food obstruction,” Dr. Ravella says.
Does this sound scary? We offer all types of sedation for this procedure and will make sure you are nice and comfortable. Don’t risk losing your teeth due to this infection! If you experience bleeding gums and bad breath, please give us a call. Our amazing and gentle hygienists are here to help you!
–Tiffany Crocker, RDH
2 — SignatureSmilesOH.com
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator