It’s all too easy to ignore small changes in your body. You’re too busy, it’s a pain getting a doctor’s appointment, you don’t want to make a fuss...

But in ignoring your body’s attempts to warn you that something’s not right, you risk making a small problem much worse. Early detection can lower the risk of complications as well as significantly improve survival rates and treatment success when it comes to cancer – particularly when it comes to gut health.

‘There are several gut health warning signs you shouldn’t ignore,’ says GP Dr Nighat Arif. ‘These are basically your body telling you something... and it’s not complaining without a reason. It’s trying to tell you: “Start a conversation with me.” The smallest of symptoms that I pick up in my clinics are usually the ones carrying the biggest messages.’

Dr Arif was speaking on Instagram about the gut health symptoms to pay attention to. And she began by outlining a ‘burning feeling in your chest’ that is easy to brush off and put down to indigestion. ‘I see this a lot in my clinics,’ she says. ‘Sometimes it’s that simple. It probably is just a bit of reflux. But sometimes it’s not.’

‘When swallowing starts to hurt, when you lose weight without trying, when you’ve noticed that your poos change colour, if your vomit look like coffee grounds, you have persistent bloating for three weeks, you’re feeling full and, on top of all of those symptoms, you’re just feeling utterly shattered – pay attention to those symptoms. Listen very carefully. Your body is trying to tell you something.’

She adds: ‘Those are your body’s quiet alarms. And it’s really important not to ignore those whispers before they become massive shouts.’

When to see a doctor

  • Dr Arif’s seven red flags for acid reflux and indigestion:
    – Trouble or pain swallowing
    – Unexplained weight loss
    – Black/bloody stool
    – Vomiting blood
    – Constant, severe tummy pain
    – Indigestion should be checked by a doctor if symptoms persist for more than 2-3 weeks, worsen, or don’t respond to over-the-counter remedies
    – Feeling fatigue, sudden new cough or weakness