July 25, 2024 Michelle Schmanski

GI Symptoms: Early Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Your gastrointestinal (GI) system is constantly working. It operates day and night to keep you nourished and hydrated. It’s also one of your major waste-elimination systems. While it’s designed to work well and run without problems, things can go wrong.

Many of us experience occasional stomach or intestinal symptoms that are of no concern, but when should you worry about your gastrointestinal symptoms? Here are some of the early GI symptoms you shouldn’t ignore.

1. Heartburn or Indigestion: Although occasional heartburn or indigestion can be completely normal and sometimes even expected after eating certain foods, severe or recurrent heartburn may be a sign of something more serious. If your heartburn or indigestion does not go away or comes back after taking over-the-counter medications or home remedies, it could be due to conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or even a gastric ulcer, which should be evaluated by a doctor.
2. Abdominal Pain: Severe or persistent abdominal pain is a symptom you should never ignore. If your abdominal pain is intense and does not go away or is accompanied by a fever, diarrhea, constipation, or blood in the stool, it’s important to seek medical care as soon as possible. These symptoms can sometimes indicate appendicitis, diverticulitis, pancreatitis, or bowel obstruction.
3. Blood in the Stool: Blood in your stool should never be ignored. Black, mahogany, bright red, or tarry stools could indicate bleeding within the GI system, which requires urgent medical attention.
4. Bloating: Bloating can be a normal occurrence for many people after eating certain foods or large meals, but constant or painful bloating could be a sign of food sensitivities, irritable bowel syndrome, or GERD.
5. Change in Bowel Habits: Your doctor should assess any persistent change in bowel habits, whether diarrhea or constipation, especially if accompanied by blood or mucus in the stool. Changes in bowel habits could indicate infection, inflammatory bowel conditions, or colorectal cancer.
6. Nausea and Vomiting: Continuous nausea and vomiting that does not resolve or keeps coming back unexpectedly could be due to gastritis, delayed stomach emptying, bowel obstruction, or several other GI conditions.
7. Difficulty Swallowing: If you feel like food gets stuck when going down your throat or it hurts to swallow, it could indicate something is wrong within your esophagus, and you should plan to speak with your doctor as soon as possible. When it hurts to swallow, it could be a sign of an infection, an ulcer, or, in the worst case, even esophageal cancer.

When to Speak With Your Doctor

Ignoring GI symptoms can have undesirable consequences for your overall health. Even minor GI symptoms, when experienced often, can mean an underlying medical condition is causing them. Seeking care from an experienced gastroenterologist is the first step to ensuring your digestive tract stays healthy, and you stay free from pain and discomfort.

If you have been experiencing unexplained GI symptoms, don’t wait—schedule an appointment today!

Request Appointment

Related:

• Bright Red Blood in Stool: When Should You See a Doctor?
• Nausea After Eating: What You Should Know
• 8 Foods That Cause Bloating