Our intestines play a vital role in our digestive system and our overall health. Sometimes, however, they can send us warning signs of a serious problem that cannot be ignored.

Here are 30 possible warning signs that suggest you may have a serious intestinal problem. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to speak with your doctor as soon as possible.

1. Abdominal Pain

This is by far the most common symptom of a serious intestinal problem.

If you experience a sharp, cramping pain in the abdomen or lower stomach area that won’t go away, there’s a possibility that there’s an issue with your intestines.

2. Constipation

Struggling to go to the bathroom is another warning sign that your bowel function may not be working as it should. Constipation can indicate that something is blocking or obstructing the intestines, such as a tumor or an infection.

3. Diarrhea

On the other hand, having diarrhea multiple times a day is also a sign of a serious intestinal problem. This could be a symptom of an infection or inflammatory bowel disease.

4. Blood in Stool

If you see blood in your stool, it is a clear indication that something is not right in your digestive system. This could be a sign of bleeding in the small or large intestine, or other more severe medical conditions.

5. Loss of Appetite

If you find yourself struggling to eat or have lost interest in food, it could be a warning sign of a more severe intestinal problem. Not only can this lead to weight loss, but also a decrease in energy and overall nutritional status.

6. Unexplained Weight Loss

If you’ve lost a significant amount of weight without trying, it could be a sign of a more severe medical issue, such as cancer or inflammatory bowel disease.

Weight loss of more than 5% of your body weight in 6-12 months should be evaluated by a medical professional.

7. Bloating

Bloating and discomfort in the abdomen can be a sign of gas buildup in the intestines, due to the obstruction or blockage of intestinal function.

8. Difficulty Swallowing

If you’re experiencing difficulties swallowing food or medication, there may be a problem within your digestive system. This could indicate a narrowing of the esophagus or other issues related to the upper gastrointestinal tract.

9. Nausea and Vomiting

If you’re experiencing vomiting and nausea accompanied by abdominal pain, it could be a warning sign of a gastrointestinal problem. This could be related to a viral or bacterial infection in the digestive tract, or another more severe issue.

10. Fatigue

If you’re feeling tired and unenergized, it could be a symptom of anemia or malnutrition, which may be caused by a digestive issue.

Anemia is a medical condition that occurs when there aren’t enough red blood cells in your body, which can lead to fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath.

11. Malabsorption

Inability to absorb nutrients properly, causing malnutrition, can be related to any number of gastrointestinal problems, like Celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth).

12. Acid Reflux

Chronic acid reflux due to an overactive stomach valve is an increasingly common problem in the intestinal tract. This can lead to complications like ulcers, esophageal cancer, and other more severe disorders.

13. Gas

Flatulence is a normal and healthy bodily function, but excessive flatulence or foul-smelling gas can be a sign of an issue within the digestive system.

There could be issues with how your gut is breaking down food or the presence of bacteria or parasites in the intestine.

14. Irregular Bowel Movements

If you go too frequently or not often enough, there may be an issue with your intestinal function. This could be a symptom of underlying issues like diarrhea or chronic constipation.

15. Feeling Full Quickly

If you’ve eaten recently and still feel full, there may be an issue with your digestive tract’s ability to move food through the intestine properly.

This could also be a sign of gastroparesis, a medical condition that affects stomach motility.

16. Rectal Bleeding

If you notice blood on your toilet paper or in the toilet bowl, it could be a sign of hemorrhoids, fissures, or other more severe complications like cancer.

17. Painful Bowel Movements

Painful bowel movements are also a warning sign of a serious intestinal issue. This could indicate inflammation, infection, or other underlying conditions.

18. Anemia

Anemia may be caused by a lack of iron due to internal bleeding within the digestive tract. This can occur due to ulcers, tumors, or even a bleeding polyp.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of anemia like fatigue and pale skin, it’s important to speak with your doctor.

19. Frequent Intestinal Infections

If you’re experiencing bacterial or viral infections in the intestines regularly, there may be underlying problems with your body’s immune system. This could be related to chronic illness or an underlying autoimmune disorder.

20. Jaundice

If your skin or eyes are yellowing, it could be a sign of jaundice. This occurs when there is a buildup of bilirubin in the bloodstream, leading to symptoms like yellow skin and eyes, pale stools, and dark urine.

This could be due to an issue with the liver or bile ducts.

21. Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Gastrointestinal bleeding is a serious condition that can occur in any part of the digestive tract. If you’re experiencing blood in your stool or vomiting blood, it’s important to speak with your doctor immediately.

22. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

IBD is a chronic medical condition that causes inflammation in the digestive tract. This can lead to symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding.

23. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

IBS is a common condition that affects the digestive tract, causing symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, and irregular bowel movements.

24. Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis occurs when there is inflammation or infection within the diverticula, small pouches that form in the weak areas of the colon’s wall.

25. Peptic Ulcers

Peptic ulcers are open sores that form in the stomach lining or small intestine. These can be extremely painful and can lead to abdominal discomfort, bloating, and other symptoms.

26. Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis occurs when there is inflammation in the pancreas, which can be caused by alcohol abuse, gallstones, or even trauma to the pancreas.

27. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

GERD is a chronic condition caused by stomach acid backing up into the esophagus, causing heartburn and other digestive symptoms.

28. Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is a chronic digestive disorder caused by gluten intolerance. This can lead to symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and other more severe symptoms like anemia or osteoporosis.

29. Colitis

Colitis is a chronic condition that causes inflammation in the colon (large intestine). This can lead to symptoms like abdominal pain and discomfort, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding.

30. Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is a serious condition that can cause symptoms like abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, and unexplained weight loss. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to speak with your doctor immediately.