Symptoms

Abdominal pain refers to any kind of discomfort experienced around your stomach area, with severe pain being a sign of a potential health issue.

Anal bleeding is usually assumed to come from the lower colon or rectum and may be indicative of health problems ranging from minor to severe.

Bloating is an uncomfortable feeling around your stomach and may be caused by fluid retention or a buildup of gas in the gastrointestinal tract.

Whether it appears light or dark, blood in the stool is evidence of bleeding somewhere in your GI tract and should always be reported to your doctor.

Bowel incontinence refers to difficulty controlling your bowel movements, with issues ranging from small, infrequent leaks to total loss of control.

Constipation is a condition in which your stools become dry and hard, making them difficult to pass. Severe symptoms should be treated by a GI doctor.

While diarrhea (watery, loose stools) is extremely common, severe symptoms may signal a larger problem that needs attention from a GI specialist.

Difficulty swallowing may be caused by muscle dysfunction, food allergies, esophagitis, or a handful of more serious gastrointestinal problems.

Heartburn is a fiery feeling in the chest accompanied by an acidic taste in the mouth and may occur after eating or when bending or lying down.

Indigestion may make you feel more full after eating, create a bloated feeling in the upper abdomen, and cause general discomfort in your GI tract.

Nausea is an unsettled feeling in your stomach that may make you feel like you need to vomit, and persistent nausea may be a sign of a GI problem.

Unexplained weight gain/loss refers to unintended changes in an individual's weight, and it may point to an underlying gastrointestinal disorder.

Vomiting is how your body responds to threats like poisoning or infection, but you should contact a GI physician if it's persistent or severe.

Certain traits and diseases may cause the skin and eyes to take on a yellowish color, a sign that you should consider consulting a physician.