Don’t Let Digestive Issues Ruin Your Love Life

Digestive issues can meander their way into your love life—at precisely the wrong time. That’s exactly why one of our mottos here at Gastroenterology of the Rockies is to take our digestive health to heart. In this blog, we share tips to help you take control of your digestive health so it doesn’t interfere with your romantic plans.

 

Bloating Kills the Mood

Digestive issues and your love life go hand in hand. Have you ever noticed how fast bloating kills the mood to be with the love of your life?  If it feels like a balloon has inflated inside your gut—a flirtatious exchange might be the last thing on your mind. That’s because bloating can bring on physical and emotional discomfort that wreaks havoc on your love life.

Physical discomfort alone can squash a romantic mood. For other couples, bloating can  bring feelings of anxiety, or self-consciousness around their stomach; and this can trigger body image insecurities.

 

If bloating is a common complaint for you or your partner, don’t ignore it. Becuase digestive issues can interfere with your love life. Not to worry. Here’s what you can do.

 

• Avoid foods known to trigger bloating
  • Beans and legumes-as they ferment in the gut- gas builds up
  • Cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts
  • Onions and garlic
  • Ice cream, cheese, dairy – if lactose intolerant
  • Fake sugar or artificial sweeteners – sugar alcohols like erythritol or maltitol, aspartame
  • Beer and carbonated drinks {Source: Mayo Clinic]

 

• How can I quickly get rid of bloating?
  If you start to feel bloated after a meal, reach for an over-the-counter (OTC) remedy like Gas-X, which contains simethicone, says Emily Marshall, PA-C, with Gastroenterology of the Rockies. If you don’t have any OTC medicine, Ginger or peppermint tea might help settle your stomach. Altoids mints are another option. That’s because ingredients like peppermint oil contain an antispasmodic that helps calm the GI tract, Marshall said. However, if mints contain fake sugar, your bloating troubles could worsen, she adds. Always read the label.

Health Tip—If you have persistent bloating or other stomach issues, seek out a medical professional for a diagnosis and ask about treatment options.

Unflattering Flatulence Puts the Breaks on Your Love Life

Have you ever wondered why flatulence is such an embarrassing topic?  We can probably agree that men seem more casual when talking about gas, compared to women. Men also seem unfazed about passing gas—either silently or in full audible fashion. Anecdotally speaking—that is.

But when it comes to spending time with your sweetheart—unwanted flatulence changes everything. Hopefully, your lunch time bean burrito with extra habanero doesn’t sneak up later in the day—just as you lean in for a smooch. Because unexpected wind could extinguish a heated moment.

Don’t let digestive issues and your love life co-mingle.

The best thing you can do is plan ahead, says Emily Marshall-PA-C. “Knowing which foods your body doesn’t tolerate helps you avoid them altogether and prevent embarrassing moments related to the GI tract,” she said.

She also said that even if you used to tolerate certain foods, but now they upset your stomach, this may mean you’ve developed food allergies or intolerances, like a gluten sensitivity—or celiac disease. Marshall also reminds us, if you’ve recently started a new medication, that too can interfere with certain foods. It’s always a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider to understand the cause of your symptoms, she added.

Example—alcohol and anti-inflammatories don’t mix well.  When combined, this can cause inflammation in the stomach lining, bleeding or ulcers.

Don’t let digestive issues like excessive gas put the breaks on your love life. Talking to your doctor can help you find a solution.

Wondering About Other GI Symptoms?

Frequently suffering from GI symptoms like gas, constipation or bloating? Check the Irritable Bowel Syndrome page to learn about common symptoms.

Buzz Kill Award Goes to Hemorrhoids

Whether you’re talking to your mother—or significant other, discussing itchy, painful hemorrhoids can definitely  go down as a buzz kill topic for anyone. But it doesn’t have to be awkward when you talk to a trusted medical provider who understands. And is someone who can help you with a solution.

Easy ways to prevent hemorrhoids so you can stop worrying about your bum – and start enjoying your love life again.

 

• Ask for help when lifting heavy objects
• Keep the rectal area clean and dry
• Try a sitz bath
• Avoid straining during a bowel movement
• Eat at least 25 grams of fiber to prevent constipation
• Avoid prolonged sitting
• Use over-the-counter creams to ease discomfort
• Ask if hemorrhoid banding can help

 

 

 

Don’t let hemorrhoids sideline your romantic endeavors. If these at-home remedies don’t work, find out if you’re a candidate for hemorrhoid banding.

Health Tip– Want more fiber in your meals and snacks? Review our High Fiber Guide to banish digestive issues that interfere with your love life.

Lactose Intolerance: When Dairy Doesn’t Love You Back

The allure of dairy products is real—and they seem to show up in many foods. Consuming dairy may make your taste buds joyful—but your stomach may disagree. When you’re lactose intolerant, painful stomach cramps and the urgent need to find a restroom may hit hard. This can be especially true after indulging in a cheesy pizza—or double decker ice cream cone.

If you’re planning a date night that involves frozen desserts or fancy pastries— you might want to double check whether your date struggles with lactose intolerance.

Lactose intolerance is not a food allergy. Instead, lactose intolerance is problematic for people who lack the necessary enzyme that breaks down sugars found in lactose, or dairy products.

Common foods with lactose include cheese, milk, ice cream, yogurt, whey protein powders.

Food swaps to keep lactose intolerance at bay so digestive issues don’t sideline your love life

• Salads- Replace creamy salad dressing for vinegar and olive oil
• Soups- Order broth-based soup vs creamy thick soup
• Hold the butter – on veggies—try coconut oil or olive oil instead
• Say no to sour cream—and yes to a dollop of Greek yogurt
  • Greek yogurt contains less whey—because of the fermentation and straining process. This is why it’s so much thicker.
    Source: US Dairy

Don’t let embarrassing digestive issues starve your love life.  If you’re tired of tiptoeing around your digestive tract because it has a mind of its own—take charge and talk to our doctors and PAs to get a handle on your digestive health. 

 Call 303-604-5000 today to schedule your consult.

 

 

Produced by Elise Oberliesen, digital marketing specialist; medical review provided by Emily Marshall, PA-C