--- description: Four gastroenterologists explain which digestive symptoms you should never ignore—from black stool and rectal bleeding to persistent bloating and unexplained anemia. title: 13 Symptoms Gastroenterologists Say You Should Never Ignore image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt61992860fa047f01/69c16d9a6292e76df4e0c3e3/Gastroenterologists.png?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Health](/section/health/) ## Health Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [Disease](/tag/disease/) ## Disease Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # 13 Symptoms Gastroenterologists Say You Should Never Ignore  by [Angela Haupt](/author/angela-haupt/)  ## Angela Haupt Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Mar 23, 2026 4:44 PM CUT   by [Angela Haupt](/author/angela-haupt/)  ## Angela Haupt Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Mar 23, 2026 4:44 PM CUT Digestive symptoms are easy to ignore—partly because they’re common, and partly because no one loves talking about them. But [gastroenterologists](https://time.com/7095503/gastroenterologist-gut-health-advice/ "undefined") say some of the issues people are most likely to brush off are the very ones they should be paying attention to. Part of the challenge: the [digestive system](https://time.com/5556071/gut-health-diet/ "undefined") covers a lot of ground. GI doctors treat conditions affecting the esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, and pancreas, so a single symptom can point to anything from a minor issue to something more serious. We asked four gastroenterologists which symptoms you should never ignore—and what they might signal. ## **Rectal bleeding** Rectal bleeding is one of the most commonly dismissed digestive symptoms, often written off as [hemorrhoids](https://time.com/7011903/hemorrhoids-treatment-how-to-prevent/ "undefined"), especially by young people. In reality, if you spot a streak of red on your toilet paper, it could indicate a number of issues: an anal fissure (a small cut in the anal canal), inflammation in the rectum, a polyp in the lower part of the colon, or even [colon cancer](https://time.com/7213490/why-are-young-people-getting-cancer/ "undefined"). “It’s not normal to have blood coming out from the anal canal,” says Dr. Nice Bertha Toriz, a member of the American Gastroenterological Association. “You shouldn't self-diagnose, especially nowadays when we're noticing colon cancer in younger patients.” The majority of the time, she adds, rectal bleeding turns out to be something relatively minor. But that’s not always the case—which is why it’s important not to brush it off. ## **Throwing up undigested food** If you get the stomach flu and puke up your dinner, no one will be surprised. But if you’re not acutely ill and are frequently throwing up—and noticing undigested pieces of food—it should be evaluated. “It could be a blockage in your stomach,” Toriz says. In some cases, inflammation, scar tissue, or a condition called gastroparesis can also prevent food from moving normally through the digestive tract. **Read More:** [_11 Symptoms Neurologists Say Never to Ignore_](https://time.com/7346163/weird-symptoms-neurology-neurologists/ "undefined") Toriz thinks of gastroparesis as “a lazy stomach,” because the stomach muscles aren’t contracting properly, so food lingers instead of moving into the small intestine. When she suspects it, she usually starts with an upper endoscopy to rule out a blockage, then uses a gastric emptying study to confirm the diagnosis. Over the course of four hours, patients eat a standardized meal, often something like scrambled eggs, and a radiologist takes pictures to see how quickly it exits the stomach. “If it's delayed, then you have gastroparesis, and there are treatment options to help with that condition,” she says. ## **Black stool** Color matters in the world of digestive symptoms—and black stool is a red flag. Head to the ER if you notice black, tarry poop with peanut butter-like consistency, says Dr. Rabia de Latour, a gastroenterologist and assistant professor in the department of medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Officially, it’s called melena, “and it's a sign that you’re bleeding from your upper GI tract,” she says. As blood moves through the digestive system, it darkens, which is why it takes on that distinctive color and texture. (A caveat: Certain medications, like Pepto-Bismol or iron supplements, can also turn stool black.) If you have black stool, you might also notice you’re going to the bathroom more frequently. “Blood acts as a laxative, and it will cause you to have lots of bowel movements,” says Dr. Jean Wang, a professor of medicine and surgery at WashU Medicine and an enterologist at Siteman Cancer Center. “If you have regular bowel movements once a day, and then all of a sudden you start having this black stool and it's happening five or six times a day, that's a sign you could have active bleeding going on.” ## **Food moving slowly through your chest** If it feels like food is getting stuck on the way down, it’s worth paying attention. That sensation can be a sign that something is physically blocking or narrowing the esophagus. “It feels like it’s getting caught,” says Toriz, whose patients sometimes notice it most with certain foods, like meat or rice, and may try to wash it down with water. There are a range of possible explanations, she says, including inflammation from acid reflux, an allergic condition called eosinophilic esophagitis, or a muscle disorder that interferes with swallowing. In some cases, it can also signal something more serious, such as a tumor that’s partially blocking the passageway and preventing food from moving normally into the stomach. To figure out what’s going on, Toriz typically does an upper endoscopy, which involves guiding a thin, camera-equipped tube down the throat while the patient is asleep. That allows doctors to check for inflammation, narrowing, or growths that could be causing symptoms. ## **A change in stool** You don’t need to analyze every trip to the bathroom—but if your stool suddenly looks different, take note. “Think of a Play-Doh machine,” de Latour says. “Something is changing its shape on the way out.” If stool becomes consistently thin or pencil-like, it could mean something is narrowing the colon, such as a mass or growth. While there are benign explanations, she says, it’s a change doctors want to know about, especially because patients often don’t think to mention it. ## **Waking up in the middle of the night with diarrhea** Nothing is worse than an alarm clock that jolts you awake way too early—except, perhaps, for your gut acting as one, sending you dashing to the bathroom with seconds to spare. If it’s happening consistently, “we think about infection, and we think about inflammatory bowel disease, like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis,” Toriz says. “And always, in the back of our mind, we want to make sure there’s not cancer growing somewhere.” **Read More:** [_8 Scary Stories ER Doctors Hear All the Time_](https://time.com/article/2026/03/18/er-doctors-scary-stories-preventable/ "undefined") Even if you've been told in the past that you have irritable bowel syndrome, but it never before woke you up in the middle of the night, it's important to consult your doctor about the change to make sure something else isn't going on, she adds. ## **Vomit that looks like coffee grounds** If you throw up something that looks like coffee grounds, don’t wait to see if it passes—go to the ER. That appearance is a sign of bleeding in the upper digestive tract, often from an ulcer, Wang says. As blood sits in the stomach and begins to break down, it turns dark and grainy, giving it a distinctive look. In severe cases, ulcers can erode into blood vessels and cause significant blood loss. “People bleed to death from ulcers,” Wang says. Those situations often call for emergency treatment, including an upper endoscopy to locate the source of the bleeding and stop it. ## **Unexplained anemia** Anemia—when your body doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells—is often chalked up to diet or menstruation. But when it shows up without a clear reason, it can sometimes point to something more serious. “Iron-deficiency anemia is a potential sign of colorectal cancer,” de Latour says. In some cases, small amounts of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract can go unnoticed, but slowly lower iron levels over time. That doesn’t mean cancer is the most likely cause. Anemia can also stem from conditions like celiac disease, which interferes with nutrient absorption, or other underlying issues, Toriz says. But since it can point to hidden bleeding in the digestive system, it’s important to have it evaluated rather than assuming it’s harmless. ## **Persistent bloating** [Bloating](https://time.com/6244477/bloating-causes-foods-treatment/ "undefined") is common—and in most cases, it’s not a sign of anything serious. It can stem from diet, constipation, or conditions like irritable bowel syndrome. But when it becomes persistent or severe, it’s worth investigating. “If the bloating is getting really bad, we worry about a bowel obstruction,” Toriz says. That’s especially true when paired with symptoms like nausea or vomiting. She also advises women to mention new or ongoing bloating to their ob-gyn, since it can be a non-specific symptom of ovarian cancer. ## **Right upper quadrant pain** If you’re doubled over in pain—especially after a fatty meal—it could be more than just indigestion. That kind of discomfort, especially on the upper right side of your abdomen, is a classic sign of gallbladder trouble. The gallbladder helps digest fat, and when gallstones are present, they can temporarily block the flow of bile and trigger sharp, cramping pain, often accompanied by nausea or vomiting. Sometimes, the problem escalates. “The stones can leave the gallbladder and go down into the main bile duct,” de Latour says. If one gets stuck, it can lead to a serious infection or even inflammation of the pancreas, known as gallstone pancreatitis. In those cases, prompt treatment is essential. Doctors may need to perform a procedure called an ERCP to remove the blockage and relieve pressure, often followed by surgery to remove the gallbladder altogether. ## **Persistent heartburn or reflux** Heartburn is incredibly common—and often tied to triggers like spicy food or alcohol. But new reflux symptoms that last more than a few weeks or don’t respond to over-the-counter treatments should be evaluated, says Dr. Robin Mendelsohn, a gastroenterologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. That’s especially true if they’re accompanied by warning signs like difficulty swallowing or unexplained weight loss. In some cases, chronic acid reflux can lead to inflammation or even precancerous changes in the esophagus, she says. ## **Bad breath** Bad breath is usually blamed on what you ate—or how recently you brushed your teeth. But in some cases, it can actually be a side effect of chronic acid reflux. If stomach acid is repeatedly flowing up into the esophagus and even the mouth, it can lead to dental issues and a lingering odor. “If you have really bad reflux, that can cause bad gum disease and cavities,” Mendelsohn says. In more severe instances, the acid can even reach the lungs, causing symptoms like a chronic dry cough. In other words, bad breath isn’t always just a dental issue: It can be a clue that acid is repeatedly traveling where it shouldn’t. ## **Getting full sooner than usual** If you’re suddenly feeling full after eating much less than usual, and you're not taking a GLP-1 like Ozempic, don’t brush it off. That symptom—known as early satiety—can signal that something is interfering with how your stomach fills or empties. **Read More:** [_9 Weird Symptoms Cardiologists Say You Should Never Ignore_](https://time.com/7014994/heart-attack-symptoms-cardiologist/ "undefined") “It’s a concerning red flag sign,” de Latour says, especially when linked with weight loss. “Some patients will literally say, ‘It's so bizarre. I’m eating less food, and all of a sudden I'm feeling really full.’” In some cases, it can point to conditions like stomach cancer, which may limit how much food the stomach can comfortably hold. When she treats patients with early satiety, she typically orders an upper endoscopy to check for any abnormalities. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/article/2026/03/23/digestive-symptoms-never-ignore-gastroenterologist/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/article/2026/03/23/digestive-symptoms-never-ignore-gastroenterologist/"},"headline":"13 Symptoms Gastroenterologists Say You Should Never Ignore","datePublished":"2026-03-23T16:44:51.593Z","dateModified":"2026-05-13T06:52:26.016Z","description":"Gut check: Have you experienced rectal bleeding or black stool lately?","url":"https://time.com/article/2026/03/23/digestive-symptoms-never-ignore-gastroenterologist/","keywords":["Disease","Evergreen"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt61992860fa047f01/69c16d9a6292e76df4e0c3e3/Gastroenterologists.png?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Angela Haupt","jobTitle":"","url":"https://time.com/author/angela-haupt/"}],"articleSection":"Health","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt61992860fa047f01/69c16d9a6292e76df4e0c3e3/Gastroenterologists.png?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"Gastroenterologists.png","caption":"","creditText":"","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/health/","name":"Health"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/disease/","name":"Disease"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/article/2026/03/23/digestive-symptoms-never-ignore-gastroenterologist/","name":"13 Symptoms Gastroenterologists Say You Should Never Ignore"}}]}] ```