Red-flag symptoms
- Blood in the stool or black, tarry stools
- Unintentional weight loss
- New difficulty or pain with swallowing
- Persistent vomiting
- Iron-deficiency anemia without a clear cause
- Family history of colon cancer or IBD
Chronic symptoms worth evaluating
- Persistent heartburn or reflux (more than twice a week)
- Chronic diarrhea or constipation
- Recurring abdominal pain or bloating
- Long-term acid-suppression medication without a documented plan
A specialist visit doesn't always mean a procedure. Sometimes the most valuable outcome is clarity: a clear explanation of what's happening, what's not, and what — if anything — to do next.