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When Should I See My Doctor? |
Guidelines for early diagnosis of digestive disorders from the British Society of Gastroenterology & CORE
Everyone experiences occasional digestive upsets such as indigestion, flatulence or a disturbance of bowel habit. These can be regarded as normal and are often caused by diet, lifestyle or a change in routine.
If symptoms of this sort persist or worsen, or if you develop new digestive symptoms which you have not previously experienced, these may be caused by a digestive disorder which needs treatment.
You should see your doctor if you experience the following symptoms, particularly if they are unexpected or persistent:
- Bleeding when you pass a stool
- Change in your stools (bowel motions), especially if they become black, dark red, pale or contain mucus (slime)
- Continuing unexplained weightloss
- Pain or difficulty in swallowing
- Persisting diarrhoea, constipation or any alteration in bowel habit
- Indigestion developing for the first time in mid or later life
- Feeling that your bowels are emptying incompletely
- Persistent feeling of fullness, bloating or flatulence
- Heartburn, regurgitation or waterbrash
- Abdominal pain before or after meals
- Generally feeling tired, lethargic or unwell in association with any abdominal symptoms
- Pain when you pass a stool
To find out more information about a range of digestive conditions visit the Information section of the website.
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Patient Info 
