Occasional heartburn or a short-lived stomachache might not prompt you to call a doctor. But there are some signals your body may give off to alert you to a potential digestive health issue.

Unexplained or frequent digestive problems, such as ongoing abdominal discomfort or changes in your bowel habits, are some things that shouldn’t be taken lightly. These may be symptoms of a more serious issue that warrants a visit with a gastroenterologist (GI doctor).

If you've never seen a gastroenterologist before, you may be wondering what kind of specialist this is. “A gastroenterologist has expertise in the disorders and diseases that affect the digestive system — which includes everything along the gastrointestinal tract as well as the pancreas, liver, bile ducts, colon, and gallbladder,” says Tasneem Ahmed, D.O., a gastroenterologist at Texas Health Digestive Specialists, a Texas Health Physicians Group practice in Fort Worth. “Your gastrointestinal tract is made up of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine.

Digestive health disorders can be complex, inconvenient, and difficult to discuss. Nearly 40 percent of Americans suffer from GI diseases that disrupt their daily lives. Despite the disruption, many people remain hesitant to mention their symptoms to a medical professional. In fact, 1 in 3 say they would only discuss their symptoms if their doctor brought it up first. The good news is such disorders are often treatable when diagnosed early, according to the American Gastroenterological Association.

“When it comes to digestive health, feeling just so-so isn’t ideal,” Ahmed says. “It’s important that we normalize the conversation around uncomfortable and unpleasant GI symptoms so that patients know what’s normal for them, they know what questions to ask, and the time from the onset of symptoms to having a conversation with a GI specialist is shortened.”

Understanding Your Digestive Health

Gastrointestinal disorders vary widely from person to person but there are some common symptoms to look out for. If you experience any of these issues, Ahmed recommends you not put off seeking medical help.

Frequent Heartburn

Painful and frequent heartburn is sometimes a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as acid reflux. In addition to GERD, there are a range of disorders that impact the esophagus and how it works, including achalasia, Barrett’s esophagus, and esophageal cancer.

Abdominal Pain and Bloating

Prolonged or persistent abdominal pain or bloating that comes back after most meals or that is accompanied by nausea, changes in bowel habits, or painful bowel movements should be discussed with a doctor. Understanding where your pain starts and its severity will help you get the correct treatment. These symptoms may be attributed to a wide variety of conditions, from gas, constipation, or gallstones to something more serious like celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease.

Abnormal Bowel Movements

A change in the quality, consistency, or frequency of bowel movements should not be overlooked. Ahmed points to four such conditions that may be indicators of a digestive health issue.

• Diarrhea: If runny stools persist for more than 48 hours with little or no improvement, a virus, bacteria, a side effect of a medication, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis may be the cause.
• Constipation: On the opposite side of diarrhea is chronic constipation. If you pass fewer than three bowel movements per week, a doctor may look for a blockage or a muscular or hormonal malfunction and consider your diet, lifestyle, and other factors. 
• Excessive Gas: While not necessarily a sign of a digestive problem, experiencing excessive gas in addition to other symptoms may signal lactose intolerance. 
• Pale or Light-Colored Stool: Gallbladder disease, liver/pancreatic issues, and bile duct diseases are all things that can present with light-colored stools over a prolonged period of time.

Rectal Bleeding

In some cases, rectal bleeding can be a symptom of a minor condition such as hemorrhoids that may be treated at home. In other cases, depending on age and family history, this may be a symptom of colorectal cancer.

Peptic Ulcers 

Characterized by burning stomach pain and indigestion, peptic ulcers are sores which can form on the lining of your stomach. They are most commonly caused by a bacterial infection (H pylori) or prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Trouble Swallowing 

When you eat too fast or don’t chew your food well enough, you may experience difficulty swallowing. Usually this isn't cause for alarm. However, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) forces you to take more time and effort to move food or liquid from your mouth to your stomach and can result in an inability to swallow due to acid reflux, a swallowing disorder, or even some cancers.

Yellowing Skin and Eyes

Jaundice is a condition that turns your skin and the whites of your eyes yellow. Dark urine or light-colored stools can signify jaundice, which is usually an indicator of an underlying condition such as gallstones, blocked or inflamed bile ducts, liver disease, or cancer.

Unexplained Weight Loss

A sudden, unexpected drop in weight may be due to any number of issues, including digestive. Digestive issues reduce the body’s ability to absorb calories and nutrients, which can result in rapid weight loss. “Weight loss is associated with many different conditions, but it is certainly reasonable to start with a visit with the gastroenterologist, especially before it worsens,” Ahmed notes.

The Takeaway

Finding a gastroenterologist might not be your first thought when you have heartburn or gas. But a GI doctor is trained to provide a proper diagnosis for any GI-related issue and provide a treatment that can help get you back to living life without disruption.

“Many digestive health disorders can be treated with minimally invasive options. A gastroenterologist will manage your symptoms, provide a continuum of care with other medical professionals involved in your care, and link you to community resources and support services if necessary,” Ahmed adds.

Texas Health offers a network of digestive health specialists to help you live more comfortably. Find a digestive health specialist near you at TexasHealth.org.