Common Digestive Symptoms You Should Not Ignore

Your digestive system plays a vital role in your overall health and is responsible for breaking down the food that you eat and absorbing nutrients. When your gut is not functioning properly, you may experience a range of uncomfortable symptoms. Gut symptoms such as tummy pain and feeling bloated are very common.

Other symptoms may include:

• Swallowing difficulty
• Heartburn
• Regurgitation
• Nausea and vomiting
• Feeling full easily
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Blood in the stools

Common Gastrointestinal Conditions

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), or acid reflux, affects 10–20% of adults in Singapore. GERD occurs when stomach acid flows back into the oesophagus (food pipe). Patients commonly experience a burning sensation in their chest (heartburn) and/or regurgitation symptoms.

Risk factors include obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and food triggers such as caffeine and spicy food. Occasional reflux is normal, but frequent symptoms require medical evaluation and treatment.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a very common gut condition that affects up to 10–15% of adults. Patients with IBS suffer from abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in their bowel habits such as constipation, diarrhoea, or both.

While IBS does not cause damage to the intestines, it can significantly affect quality of life. Triggering factors include stress and certain types of food.

Chronic constipation may be caused by low fibre intake, dehydration, medications, or certain medical conditions. Hard stools or straining during bowel movements can be uncomfortable and may result in bleeding due to haemorrhoids.

Diarrhoea may result from infections, food intolerance, or chronic conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Severe symptoms may lead to dehydration requiring urgent medical care.

Persistent changes in bowel habits should not be ignored, especially if accompanied by weight loss, bleeding, or a low blood count (anaemia).

Diagnostic Procedures: What to Expect

An oesophago-gastroduodenoscopy (OGD) enables your doctor to look inside your oesophagus, stomach, and the initial portion of the small intestine (duodenum).

Biopsies, which are tiny tissue samples, may be taken from your stomach during the procedure. This enables your doctor to identify causes of symptoms such as inflammation, ulcers, or infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria.

A colonoscopy allows your doctor to examine the large intestine or colon. Bowel preparation is required beforehand.

Colon polyps are precancerous growths that can be removed during colonoscopy before they cause problems later on.

Managing Digestive Symptoms

Management of your gut symptoms will depend on your diagnosis. Your doctor will determine the cause of your gut issues based on your symptoms and the results of investigations performed.

Treatment may include lifestyle modifications such as dietary changes and/or medications.

It is important to know when to seek medical advice. Symptoms lasting for weeks, especially when accompanied by unexplained weight loss or blood in the stools, should be promptly evaluated by a doctor.

Early assessment can rule out serious conditions and ensure appropriate treatment.