1. Heartburn that happens more than twice a week
Occasional heartburn is common. Frequent heartburn that keeps coming back may point to GERD, which is worth managing properly rather than repeatedly self-treating.
2. Blood in your stool
Blood in the stool should always be checked, even if it seems minor. Most causes are simple to treat, but only a proper exam confirms what's happening.
3. Unexplained weight loss
Losing weight without trying, especially alongside digestive symptoms, is worth investigating rather than dismissing as a positive sign.
4. Difficulty swallowing
Food or liquid feeling like it's "stuck," or pain while swallowing, is a symptom that needs a proper look, often with an endoscopy.
5. A persistent change in bowel habits
New, ongoing constipation, diarrhea, or a change in stool that lasts more than a couple of weeks — especially after age 50 — deserves a check.
6. Yellowing of the skin or eyes
Jaundice always needs prompt evaluation, since it can point to several different underlying causes that need different treatment.
7. A family history of colon cancer or IBD
If a close family member has had colon cancer or inflammatory bowel disease, ask Dr. Gattani whether earlier or more frequent screening makes sense for you.
The bigger picture
None of these signs automatically mean something serious — most turn out to have straightforward explanations. But they're exactly the kind of thing where a short conversation with a gastroenterologist, and sometimes a simple test, gives you a clear answer instead of ongoing uncertainty.
Frequently asked questions
No. Even one of these signs, on its own, is a reasonable reason to get checked — you don't need to wait for several at once.
Dr. Gattani will ask about your symptoms and history, and recommend any tests only if they're actually needed based on what you describe.