How to Stay Healthy This Summer
Summer is in full swing! For many of us, the warmer weather means backyard barbecues, baseball games, and beer. While all of these are great ways to get the summer rolling, the food that we eat combined with the hot weather can wreak havoc on our guts.
During the summer, the risk of dehydration and heat stroke increases so it is imperative that you drink plenty of water.
One of the best ways to combat gastrointestinal problems is by keeping a close eye on what we eat. The issues that you experience during the summer are most likely caused by a combination of weather and diet and one of the fastest ways to begin feeling your best is by cutting out certain foods and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Below are a few of our top tips for staying healthy this summer.
#1 Eat smaller portions more frequently.
Eating smaller food portions more frequently gives your digestive tract time to digest your food properly. It is a good idea to eat foods that are good sources of fiber such as green vegetables, tomatoes, apples, watermelon, and cucumber which will not only keep your bowels moving but they will also keep you hydrated. You may also want to avoid any spicy or acidic foods as they take longer to digest and can lead to heartburn.
#2 Drink plenty of water.
This is incredibly important. Drinking enough water helps decrease your risk of dehydration and its uncomfortable side effects and helps you replace the water that you lose when sweating. While the amount of water that each person needs differs by a wide array of factors, a good rule of thumb is that if your urine is dark, you should drink more water.
#3 Exercise frequently.
With such beautiful weather, it is hard to find an excuse not to exercise! Exercising is great for both your cardiovascular and digestive health and can even help to lower stress levels.
While gastrointestinal discomfort can often be reduced by cutting back on fatty or oily foods and exercising more, lifestyle changes alone may not always cut it. If you have noticed an increase in gastrointestinal issues that aren’t going away, you may want to consider visiting a gastroenterologist. The specialists at Granite State Gastro are more than happy to help you come up with the right treatment plan and get you feeling better in no time.
Provider Spotlight
We Are Excited To Announce Dr. Tsistrakis Has Joined GSG!
Dr. Tsistrakis received his medical degree from Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. He finished his residency at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Beth Israel in New York City. He completed his fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at New York Presbyterian in Queens, NY where he served as Chief Fellow.
He is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology and the American Gastroenterological Association. Dr. Tsistrakis has an interest in colorectal cancer screening, nutrition, and weight loss, and he is board certified in Internal Medicine.
Dr. Tsistrakis and his wife enjoy traveling to visit family in Greece, cooking, and the outdoors. He is looking forward to taking advantage of all the beautiful New Hampshire scenery, apple picking, and Christmas tree cutting.
Patient Education
What is the impact of dehydration on your body?
Dehydration describes a state of your body where you are losing more liquids than you are taking in. This is generally the result of sweating, diarrhea, or excessive consumption of alcohol or caffeine.
Symptoms of dehydration include:
- feeling thirsty
- feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- feeling tired
- dry mouth, lips and eyes
- peeing little, and fewer than 4 times a day
- dark yellow and strong-smelling urine
While dehydration itself is not a serious illness, it can easily lead to additional health issues if not treated.
In order to reduce your risk of dehydration, make sure to drink water the moment you feel any of the common symptoms. While it can be difficult, this is particularly important if you have experienced diarrhea or vomiting.
Office Updates
At Granite State Gastroenterology (GSG), we strive to make a difference in the lives of the patients and the communities we serve.
We’re currently hiring for the following positions:
- Medical Admin Professional/Patient Care Coordinator
- Medical Assistant
- Nurse Practitioner
If you or someone you know is interested in applying for one of the above open roles, please head over to our careers page to learn more and apply! https://granitegastro.com/careers.
As a clinician-led independent specialty group practice, we can focus on why we got into healthcare in the first place: to make a difference in each patient’s life. As a valued team member, GSG will invest in your growth and development, offer competitive benefits and wages, and help prioritize work-life balance.