Find stories like yours - The Gut Community

1. When to get checked

This is public advice about when to get checked, from NHS, NIH/NIDDK, and ACG/AGA. Having the symptoms does not definitely mean bowel cancer, but get checked. You can still continue for reading.

Call 999 or go to A&E

Vomit blood or coffee-ground vomit Bleeding non-stop from the bottom, or a lot of blood Sudden severe tummy pain Food stuck now, and you cannot swallow

Contact 111 or an urgent GP

Blood in poo Black or dark red poo Bloody diarrhoea Lost a lot of weight without trying Hard lump or swelling in the tummy Shortness of breath, palpitations and paler skin Food often feels stuck, or difficulty swallowing

See a GP

Keep being sick Iron-deficiency anaemia

Also see a GP if

These still apply if you do not have diarrhoea.

Diarrhoea or tummy pain that wakes you at night Fever, shaking chills, or night sweats Symptoms clearly started at 50 or older A close relative with bowel cancer, IBD, or coeliac

None of these warning signs

NHS: having the symptoms does not definitely mean bowel cancer, but get checked.

2. How long has this been going on?

Under 4 weeks 4 weeks to 3 months Over 3 months Not sure

NHS: see a GP for IBS-type symptoms that last more than 4 weeks. A stomach bug usually lasts 5 to 7 days. Contact 111 if diarrhoea lasts more than 7 days.

3. What is the main pattern?

Choose the one that fits best.

Constipation Diarrhoea Mixed Upper (heartburn) Fullness (early fullness or nausea) Bloating-led

4. Anything else that often comes up?

Toilet mechanics (choose all that apply)

Strain even with soft poo Need to press on the tummy or pelvic area Odd positions to poo Long time on the toilet None of these

5. Are any of these medicines in the picture?

NHS: do not stop prescribed medicine unless a clinician says so.

Opioids Iron Antidepressants Calcium or antacids None of these

6. Have you tried any of these?

Please answer every row you can see, including fluids and osmotic laxatives. This is not a diagnosis.

7. Optional: has a clinician already named one of our pages?

If they have, we will pin that community page first. This does not confirm a diagnosis.

Skip — no named page, or I would rather not say

Find stories like yours.

1. When to get checked

Please get checked

2. How long has this been going on?

3. What is the main pattern?

4. Anything else that often comes up?

5. Are any of these medicines in the picture?

6. Have you tried any of these?

7. Optional: has a clinician already named one of our pages?

When to get checked

Pages that often come up with this pattern.

Where people talk

What to mention to a GP or pharmacist

What people often try