Learn when to manage mild digestive issues at home and when to seek medical help. Discover red-flag symptoms, self-care tips, and telehealth options.
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Digestive problems affect millions of people daily. While many issues resolve on their own, knowing when to seek professional help can prevent serious complications and improve your quality of life.
Understanding Common Digestive Issues
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common digestive disorders, affecting about 10%-15% of adults. IBS typically causes abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits including constipation, diarrhoea, or alternating between both. Unlike inflammatory bowel disease, IBS doesn’t increase cancer risk or cause changes in bowel tissue.
Acid reflux, constipation, and diarrhoea are also common digestive issues. While temporary changes often resolve naturally, persistent alterations warrant evaluation. Licensed doctors at Anytime Doctor can evaluate symptoms and offer advice on treatment and prevention.
Red Flag Symptoms
WebMD identifies several digestive symptoms that require immediate medical consultation, including stools that are bloody or black (which could signal an ulcer, haemorrhoids, IBD / Chron’s disease, or cancer), persistent hoarseness/sore throat, and diarrhoea that doesn’t stop.
The article, medically reviewed by Minesh Khatri, MD, also advises consulting a doctor if symptoms worsen or if new symptoms arise.
Healthline advises that you should consider seeking a doctor for IBS if you experience severe abdominal pain and cramping, mucus in your stool, or severe diarrhoea/constipation. It’s also advised to speak to a doctor about whether new symptoms may be related to IBS medication.
Non-typical symptoms of IBS include feeling dizzy, acute or sudden onset pain, fever, and symptoms of anaemia (weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, and fast heart rate).
Around half of people with IBS might have non-GI-related symptoms. A 2022 systematic review authored by Bodil Ohlsson found that somatic pain, fatigue, and disturbed sleep were most common. Women experienced these symptoms more often.
Self-Care vs Professional Care
Many mild digestive issues respond well to lifestyle modifications. Temporary indigestion, minor constipation, or stress-related stomach upset often improve with dietary changes, increased water intake, and stress reduction.
If over-the-counter medications don’t relieve your symptoms after more than 2 weeks of use, you should see your doctor. Using some over-the-counter treatments for constipation for more than 2 weeks can make symptoms worse and may indicate something more serious.
Food diary tracking can help identify triggers and patterns, providing valuable information for healthcare providers.
Other Considerations
Age influences digestive health considerations. Pregnancy brings unique digestive changes that should be monitored by healthcare providers. Medication side effects can cause digestive symptoms, and stress significantly impacts digestive function.
Mental health connections to digestive health are well-established. Anxiety and depression can manifest as digestive symptoms, while chronic digestive conditions can impact mental wellbeing.
Making the Decision to Seek Help
Healthcare providers emphasise that patients often recognise when something feels abnormal. Consider the cumulative impact of symptoms – individual episodes might seem manageable, but ongoing digestive issues affecting multiple aspects of life warrant medical attention.
Telehealth consultations offer convenient access to medical guidance for non-emergency digestive concerns. Don’t delay seeking help due to embarrassment. Early intervention often leads to better outcomes and prevents complications, significantly impacting overall wellbeing.
