Your digestive health is essential to your overall health. Good health starts in the gut! If you notice any unusual symptoms related to your gut health, it is important to discuss with your doctor. Let’s review six signs that indicate it is time to schedule an appointment with a GI doc. 

Noticing Blood in Your Stool

Finding blood in your stool is usually never a good sign. It could be a sign of various conditions. This could range from hemorrhoids to more serious issues such as cancer. The blood can appear bright red or dark and tarry - so yes, you should look at your poop before you flush. Regardless of its appearance, any presence of blood is grounds for immediate medical attention. 

Difficulty Swallowing

Difficulty swallowing can be a sign of various gastrointestinal disorders. It may manifest as a feeling of food getting stuck in your throat or chest. It could also show up as pain when swallowing, or a feeling of choking. These symptoms can result from various types of conditions such as:

1. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
2. Esophageal Strictures
3. Achalasia
4. Esophageal Cancer
5. Eosinophilic Esophagitis
6. Barrett's Esophagus
7. Esophageal Motility Disorders

If You Have Anemia

Anemia occurs when your body lacks enough healthy red blood cells to carry enough oxygen to your tissues. Gastrointestinal bleeding is one of the potential causes of anemia and can result from conditions such as ulcers, polyps, or cancers. If you are diagnosed with anemia, check with your gastroenterologist to find the root cause. 

Having Regular Constipation or Diarrhea

Any changes in bowel movements should require a GI consult. If you have regular constipation or diarrhea, it could be a sign of an underlying issue. Constipation that lasts more than three weeks can lead to many different issues such as chronic conditions like IBS. Let's dig a little deeper. 

Constipation

Constipation is more common than you might think and a lot of times it is triggered by lifestyle changes. As a Gastroenterologist and Obesity specialist, this is a symptom I help patients with daily. ⁠ ⁠So what is causing constipation? Here is a checklist for you as a starting point to manage your constipation: ⁠ ⁠

• Changing your diet or routine⁠
• Not drinking enough⁠
• A side effect of medicine⁠
• Stress, anxiety, or depression⁠
• Not enough fiber⁠
• Being less active ⁠
• Often ignoring the urge to go to the toilet⁠
• An underlying health condition⁠ ⁠

Constipation is a common health concern, so it’s important to prevent and treat it.⁠ Here are some tips on how to relieve constipation:

• Drink plenty of water⁠
• Increase your fiber intake⁠
• Keep to a regular time and place to give yourself enough time to use the toilet⁠
• Increase activity⁠
• Don't delay if you feel the urge to use the toilet⁠

Diarrhea

Diarrhea — loose, watery, and possibly more-frequent bowel movements — can be a common problem. It may be present alone or be associated with other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or weight loss.⁠ ⁠Luckily, diarrhea is usually short-lived, lasting no more than a few days. But when diarrhea lasts beyond a few days into weeks, it usually indicates that there's another problem — such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or a more serious disorder, including persistent infection, celiac disease, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).⁠ ⁠Common causes of diarrhea:⁠

• Bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections⁠
• IBD⁠
• IBS⁠
• Some cancers⁠
• Celiac disease⁠
• Malabsorption syndromes ⁠
• Reaction to a medication ⁠
• Food allergies & intolerance ⁠
• Stress and anxiety⁠ ⁠

If you experience diarrhea and need support, contact your trusted physician to get to the root cause.⁠

Noticing Unexplained Weight Loss

If you notice a drop in weight without trying, this could be a symptom of a gut issue like celiac disease or IBS. Other symptoms may include changes in appetite, fatigue, or stomach pain.

If You Are 45 Or Older…

A colonoscopy is the only method to detect AND remove polyps or definitively diagnose a cancer. Know your family history and risk factors. Average risk screening is recommended at age 45. Don't be embarrassed about undergoing a colonoscopy. It is one of the only life saving screening tools we have. 

Listen to Your Body

Make sure you are listening to what your body is telling you. If you notice any of these signs above, do not ignore them. Reach out to your doctor to ensure your digestive health is on track. Early diagnosis and treatment can make all the difference in managing these conditions. Remember, be proactive with your health. Your body will thank you!