It may seem like a passing stomach bug, but pay attention to signs and symptoms to make sure it’s not something much worse.
No one wants to think about having any type of cancer nowadays, but sadly we still need to be on the lookout for any signs of that deadly disease.
When it comes to stomach cancer, it can be hard to notice the difference between a stomach ache and something a lot more serious.
In fact, more than 26,000 cases of stomach cancer will be diagnosed with stomach cancer, and more than 10,800 people will die from it in 2018, according to the American Cancer Society.
But the good news is the overall rate of deaths and the diagnosis of stomach cancer is going down significantly.
But it’s still important to pay attention to your body, and if you have any of the following signs or symptoms, it’s time to give your doctor a call to get tested.
1. Frequent vomiting and nausea
Although this could point to a myriad of stomach illnesses if you are nauseous for an extended period of time, accompanied by frequent vomiting it’s probably time to go and visit your doctor to check to see if these symptoms are related to stomach cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic.
This is especially true if you begin to notice blood in your vomit.
2. Dark or bloody stool
Dark or unusual looking stool is a sign that something is definitely wrong with your stomach, although hopefully, it’s not cancer-related.
Talk to your doctor if you notice any of that when you go to the bathroom and how frequently it has happened and what the next steps should be, such as visiting the Teton Cancer Institute and possibly a consultation with an oncologist.
3. Feeling unusually full
According to the American Cancer Society feeling overly full, even after a very small meal or snack, could be a sign that something isn’t right with your stomach or stomach area.
If you notice this happens really often or every time you eat then definitely go to your doctor and have them check everything out.
4. Really bad heartburn and indigestion
Heartburn and indigestion can be a normal occurrence after a greasy meal, but if this is a regular occurrence whenever you eat or more frequently, it could be a sign that something is off with your stomach.
If all the normal heartburn medicines don’t seem to help the pain then ask your doctor to take a closer look at what’s really going on.
5. Unusual weight loss
If you are eating your typical diet and calorie amount as you usually do but are noticing a dramatic weight loss you might want to check-in with your doctor to see if it’s related to something that can cause a high metabolism or dietary change.
