It’s not usual to be struck down by stomach issues from time to time, whether it’s something you’ve eaten that’s not agreed with you or feeling a bit bloated after a large meal. However, there are some symptoms that can indicate something more sinister......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
Doctors say there are several gastrointestinal warning signs you shouldn’t ignore, as they could signal something serious like a bacterial infection, diabetes or in severe cases cancer. Persistent and uncomfortable symptoms can be concerning and often only appear when your body is trying to tell you something’s wrong.
The best way to find out is to see a doctor early on before the issues could get any worse. Below is a look at seven of the most common stomach symptoms you shouldn’t write off and what they could mean.
According to the NHS, diarrhoea is passing looser, watery or more frequent poo (stools) than is normal for you. It affects most people from time to time and is usually nothing to worry about. It can be distressing and unpleasant. It normally clears up in a few days to a week.
There are many different causes of diarrhoea, such as anxiety, a food allergy, medication, or a long-term condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A bowel infection (gastroenteritis) is a common cause in both adults and children. Gastroenteritis can be caused by:
Most cases of diarrhoea clear up after a few days without treatment. You should drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. Drink small sips of water often. It’s very important that babies and children do not become dehydrated.
But when diarrhoea lasts beyond a few days into weeks, it usually means that there’s another problem — such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or a more serious disorder, including ongoing infection, celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
A small amount of one-off bleeding from the bottom is not usually a serious problem. But a GP can check. You might be bleeding from the bottom if you have:
A small amount of one-off bleeding can often go away on its own without needing treatment. Bleeding from the bottom is sometimes a sign of bowel cancer. This is easier to treat if it’s found early, so it’s important to get it checked. Other possible causes of bleeding are colon polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, diverticulosis, haemorrhoids and anal fissures.
Food allergy or intolerance, inflammatory bowel disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease and celiac disease could all be causes for painful cramps after eating. Most common is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
IBS can cause symptoms like stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation. These tend to come and go over time and can last for days, weeks or months at a time. There’s no cure, but diet changes and medicines can often help control the symptoms.
Weight loss when you haven’t purposefully tried to shed some pounds or changed your diet and exercise routine could indicate an illness. One disease unintentional weight loss can be linked to is cancer, it is best to go see a doctor if you are concerned.
Christine Lee, a gastroenterologist at Cleveland Clinic, says: “Most people gain weight as they get older because their metabolism slows down,” she says. “If you’re losing weight without much effort, that’s a red flag.”
Constipation can cause it to take long periods of time before going to the toilet. It’s common and it affects people of all ages. You can usually treat it with simple changes to your diet and lifestyle.
You may also have a stomach ache and feel bloated or sick. You’re likely to be constipation if:
Constipation can be caused by various issues – including certain medicines, not enough fibre, and medical conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, thyroid issues, diabetes or, in serious cases colorectal cancer.
Heartburn is a burning feeling in the chest caused by stomach acid travelling up towards the throat. If your heartburn is frequent and worsening, or if it’s not responding to medication, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
According to Mayo Clinic, GERD occurs when stomach acid repeatedly flows back into the tube connecting your mouth and stomach (oesophagus). This backwash (acid reflux) can irritate the lining of your oesophagus. In rare cases, severe heartburn can also indicate a more serious condition such as oesophageal cancer or a hiatal hernia.
Felling full even though you haven’t eaten much is in most cases gastroparesis – a condition where food remains in the stomach longer than it should. It makes your stomach muscle contractions weaker and slower than they need to be to digest your food and pass it on to your intestines.
Diabetes is a common cause of gastroparesis, it may also occur after stomach surgery. Other causes include bacterial and viral infections and medication. The earlier you detect a problem, the more options you have and the better your chances of success at managing it.