Gut Basics
Continue your learning journey
9
of 10
90% Complete
~5 min
Learning Card
When to See a Doctor: Red Flags
Most digestive symptoms are benign and manageable, but certain "red flag" symptoms warrant immediate medical attention:
🚨 Seek immediate care for:
- Severe abdominal pain (especially if sudden onset)
- Blood in stool (red, black/tarry, or positive test)
- Blood in vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) or food getting stuck
- Unintentional weight loss (>5% body weight in 6 months)
- Persistent vomiting (can't keep fluids down)
- High fever with abdominal pain
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes)
📋 Schedule appointment for:
- New symptoms after age 50
- Family history of colon cancer, IBD, celiac disease
- Symptom changes (new pattern, worsening)
- Chronic symptoms affecting quality of life
- Anemia or iron deficiency
- Persistent diarrhea or constipation (>4 weeks)
Why these matter: Red flags can indicate serious conditions like:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Celiac disease
- Colorectal cancer
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Bowel obstruction
Early detection dramatically improves outcomes.
←
Previous
→
Next