10 Common Gastric, Digestive and Bowel problems – When to Worry and When to See a Doctor

10 Common Gastric, Digestive and Bowel problems – When to Worry and When to See a Doctor

1. Heartburn and Acid Reflux

• Occasional heartburn is normal
• When to see a doctor: But if it occurs frequently (more than twice a week), lasts for weeks or months, or is accompanied by difficulty swallowing, chest pain, or vomiting blood, see a doctor.

2. Constipation

• Humans have a wide range in bowel movement – from 3 times a day to 3 times a week. There is no agreed definition of constipation. Most think it means a decrease in frequency (or hardening) of your poo – usually for more than a week
• When to see a doctor: If bowel movements are fewer than three per week, stools are hard or painful to pass, or constipation lasts for more than a week, consider consulting a doctor. Blood in stool or severe abdominal pain also warrants medical attention.

3. Diarrhoea

• Diarrhoea is also difficult to define. Most think it means an increase in frequency (or looseness) of your poo. Most cases are due to gastroenteritis (‘tummy bug’) and resolve on their own within a few days
• When to see a doctor: However, if diarrhoea persists (more than three days), is bloody, or is accompanied by severe abdominal pain, fever above 38.6°C (101.5°F), or signs of dehydration, seek medical help.

Note. Prolonged constipation or diarrhoea can be red flag symptoms for bowel cancer. If you are over 30 years, and have either for more than three weeks, bowel cancer should be excluded.

4. Coeliac Disease

• Also hard to define – most consider it chronic digestive disorder characterised by recurring abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea or constipation (having excluded infection, inflammation (like IBD) and bowel cancer)
• When to see a doctor: If abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel movements (diarrh0ea or constipation) persist for months without an obvious cause, consult a doctor.

• Mild, temporary pain is usually not a concern
• When to see a doctor: However, severe, persistent, or localised pain (worse on movement, coughing or breathing in), especially when accompanied by fever, vomiting, or bloody stools, requires immediate medical attention.

• Rectal bleeding can have minor causes (e.g. haemorrhoids/piles) but is also a red flag symptom for bowel cancer
• When to see a doctor: Any amount of rectal bleeding, whether painless or painful, should be evaluated by a doctor to rule out serious conditions like colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease.

Note. Rectal bleeding is a red flag symptom for bowel cancer. If you are over 30 years, and have either for more than three weeks, bowel cancer should be excluded.

• A group of long-term chronic conditions of the colon and small intestine, with Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis being the principal types
• When to see a doctor: Symptoms like persistent diarrhoea, abdominal pain, weight loss, and bloody stools – especially in younger patients – require medical assessment, as they may be due to IBD. A clear diagnosis and treatment is required by a hospital-based doctor (gastroenterologist).

• Gallstones are very common (over 10% of the population have them). Most people get no symptoms and they do not have to be removed
• When to see a doctor: Severe abdominal pain (especially in the upper right or middle abdomen), nausea, vomiting, and fever can indicate gallstones. If these symptoms occur, particularly after fatty meals, consult a doctor.

• Severe abdominal pain that worsens over time
• Vomiting blood or black tarry stools
• Fever above 38.5°C (101.5°F) with abdominal symptoms
• Signs of dehydration (excessive thirst, dark urine, dizziness)
• Persistent change in bowel habit (diarrhoea or constipation)
• Unexplained weight loss
• Blood in stool or vomit.

Summary