Our Senior Consultant Gastroenterologist at Nobel Gastroenterolgy Centre, Dr Eric Wee was invited to Indonesia to deliver a talk to the public. In his lecture, he educated his audience on the signs and symptoms that shouldn't be ignored when one has a digestive problem. 

Here are the salient points. 

For individuals with abdominal pain due to a stomach problem, signs and symptoms that may suggest a serious condition include: 

1. Unintentional weight loss (which is not due to exercise or a change in diet)
2. Persistent pain despite medicines 
3. Loss of appetite or a feeling of fullness with a small meal
4. Anemia (low red blood cell / hemoglobin count)
5. Bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract 

As for individuals with bowel problems, the following signs and symptoms will require a specialist's evaluation. 

1. Positive stool occult blood test 
2. Change in bowel habit 
3. New onset chronic constipation (which constitutes a change in bowel habit) 
4. Persistent diarrhea 
5. Unintentional weight loss 
6. Rectal bleeding. 

The presence of any one of these signs and symptoms, suggest that a serious condition may be present. It includes early cancer, ulcers or infections that can be treated and cured. 

Individuals with a problem that is persistent, but do not have these symptoms will benefit from an evaluation as well.