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4 Gut Health Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

sitting woman with hands on stomach

How often do you pay attention to your gut health and digestive system? Your digestive system, a crucial part of your overall health, can often signal when things aren’t right, in most cases, with some not-so-pleasant symptoms. Being aware of these signals can help you stay conscious of your body’s needs.

There can be many seemingly innocuous signs at play that indicate all is not well with your gastrointestinal health, and while some don’t necessitate a visit to the doctor, others shouldn’t be ignored. For instance, persistent changes in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, and abdominal pain could be signs of bowel cancer, which is the fourth most ignored cancer in Australia, as well as other serious gastrointestinal health issues. Knowing what to look out for can get you the medical care you need faster. So, let’s take a look at some of those signs you shouldn’t ignore.

Changes in Bowel Movements 

If you’re experiencing changes in your bowel movements, such as the urge to go more frequently or alternating between constipation and diarrhoea, it’s important to seek medical advice. The same goes for persistent blood in your stools. Remember, you’re not alone in this. Colonoscopy treatment services can help you diagnose any gut health issues you might be dealing with and understand what is going on, providing you with the support you need.

head below photo of woman holding hands on stomach

Unexplained Weight Changes

Unexplained weight loss can be linked to gut health and needs further investigation. If you’re not changing your diet and you’re noticing weight loss, this is a massive cause for concern and shouldn’t be ignored. A craving for unhealthy foods, for example, or overeating might be a sign that your gut health isn’t doing so great, and you need to get things looked at so you can move on and get back to eating as you normally would. However, weight gain can also be a sign of poor gut health, as it can be caused by conditions like IBS or food intolerances.

Abdominal Pain and Bloating

This can be down to conditions like IBS or food intolerances; however, if it’s ongoing despite making dietary changes, then you might need further medical investigations to find out what is going on. You shouldn’t be living with pain around your digestive system, and if you are or you’re regularly bloating after certain foods, it is worth getting tests during the season to improve your health.

It’s with knowing that some abdominal pain can be transferred, meaning you feel it in other parts of your body, such as your belly or legs. Don’t ignore any new pain or discomfort, as they can be linked to your digestive tract.

Persistent Fatigue

Fatigue can be linked to a great number of health conditions, but it can also be caused by poor gut health. This is due to a lack of absorption of vitamins and minerals, which are required for energy levels. If you’re not absorbing the nutrients in your food, then this can contribute to increased fatigue and low energy levels.

woman suffering from a stomach pain
Photo by cottonbro studio

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