Youve probably suffered through stomach-related issues at some point.
Theyre not exactly fun to talk about, but theyresocommon.
If you have a new G.I.
Certain digestive symptoms should be checked out by a doctor.
Ahead, SELF asked experts about the digestive symptoms you shouldnt ignore.
Diarrhea or constipation|Blood in stool|Heartburn|Difficulty swallowing|Abdominal pain|Vomiting|Weight loss
When should you see a doctor about digestive symptoms?
If youre unsure whether your G.I.
Possible diagnoses can range broadly from something mild or self-limited to a life-threatening emergency, she explains.
It requires an understanding of the surrounding context and a patients underlying risks to distinguish between the two.
This is the expertise that patients get when they speak with their provider.
Take a note of what youre seeing in the toilet.
If it is lasting two to three weeks, it needs to be further evaluated.
Other times, these changes can potentially point to an underlyingG.I.
This also leads us to the next symptom…
However, blood in your stoolespecially if its persistent and paired with other G.I.
symptoms like diarrheais a hallmark sign of IBD.
If you have heartburn here and there, you probably dont have a huge issue on your hands.
If you are unsure, hey call your doctor for advice on next steps, she says.
National Library of Medicine.
Any throw in of swallowing difficulty should prompt a visit to the doctor, Dr. Chen says.
Severe abdominal painis different from the stomachache you experience after eating too much.
If the abdominal pain is severe and persists, it needs to be evaluated, Dr. Chen says.
In milder cases, you could be dealing with short-lived gas pain or something like the stomach flu.
Kidney stones are also a common menace in the E.R.
Throwing up is no ones idea of a good time, but its normal to experience vomiting andnauseaoccasionally.
However, persistent nausea and vomiting arent normal and can actually become quite serious if you dont seek care.
There are so many things that canlead to persistent vomitingand that nauseated feeling, according to theMayo Clinic.
Again, theres a range of potential health concerns to be aware of.
What should you expect when you land a diagnosis?
conditions are self-limitedthese are things that tend to resolve on their own, like a stomach bug.
Or they can at least be treated or cured with medication or certain medical procedures relatively quickly.
However, chronic G.I.
issues typically require long-term medication plans and monitoring, Dr. Shukla says.
Theres even a range depending on the specific condition.
