Total Access Medical - Direct Primary Care Blog

Maintaining gut health is essential for overall well-being, and emerging research highlights its critical role in preventing colorectal cancer. The gut microbiome, a complex community of bacteria and other microorganisms living in the digestive tract, influences digestion, immune function, and inflammation. An imbalance in these microbes can contribute to various health issues, including an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Here’s what you need to know about the connection between gut health and colorectal cancer.

Maintaining a healthy colon is essential for overall well-being, and diet plays a crucial role in promoting optimal colon function and reducing the risk of colorectal diseases. The foods you eat influence digestion, gut bacteria, and inflammation levels, all of which impact colon health. A balanced diet rich in fiber, essential nutrients, and beneficial compounds can help support a healthy digestive system and lower the risk of colorectal cancer.

Blood pressure is the pressure that occurs when blood pushes against the walls of your arteries. Arteries carry blood from your heart to other parts of your body. Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is blood pressure that is higher than normal.  High blood pressure is consistently at or above 130/80 mm Hg.

About every 40 seconds, someone in America has a heart attack. A heart attack is an urgent message that your heart needs oxygen. The most common cause is coronary artery disease. When a blockage or plaque within a coronary artery ruptures or breaks, a blood clot forms around it. This blood clot can block the oxygen-rich blood from getting to the muscle of your heart. That causes the heart muscle to start dying, and you begin to feel the symptoms of a heart attack. Your doctor may also refer to this as, “acute myocardial infarction."

Heart disease isn't just one thing. It's a number of conditions that can affect how your heart works. Heart disease can also be called cardiovascular disease, though that term covers blood vessels problems as well.

Heart disease is a major killer in the U.S., causing about 1 in 5 deaths, or about 700,000 a year.

Heart disease describes a range of conditions that affect the heart. Heart disease includes:

Everyone reacts to stress differently, and how you react can impact the chance of developing serious health issues, including heart disease.

Your body's response to stress may include muscle aches and headaches, back strain, stomach pains, and other physical symptoms. Stress also can make you tired, disturb normal sleep patterns, and leave you irritable, forgetful and out of control. When stress is constant, your body remains in high gear for days or weeks, which can lead to more significant health problems.

The advice is clear-cut: Sit less and purposefully move more for heart health. But how does exercise help keep your heart healthy?

Heart-healthy living involves understanding your risk, making healthy choices, and taking steps to reduce your chances of getting heart disease. By taking preventive measures, you can lower your risk of developing heart disease that could lead to a heart attack. You can also improve your overall health and well-being. 

Heart-healthy eating involves choosing certain foods, such as fruits and vegetables, while limiting others, such as saturated fats and added sugars.