The 10 Warning Signs: When Stomach Troubles Need a Closer Look
It’s important to remember that you know your body best. A little indigestion after trying a new spicy dish is one thing; a persistent, nagging pain is another. Here are ten stomach-related symptoms that, especially for adults over 60, warrant a conversation with your healthcare provider. This list covers key stomach problems in older adults warning signs to be aware of.
1. Persistent Heartburn or Indigestion
What’s often normal: Occasional heartburn after a large or fatty meal, especially when lying down soon after eating.
When to worry: If you experience heartburn more than twice a week, if it wakes you up at night, or if over-the-counter antacids no longer provide relief. Chronic acid reflux, known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), can damage the esophagus over time. More urgently, sometimes what feels like severe heartburn can actually be a sign of a heart attack, especially if it’s accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, or pain in the arm, neck, or jaw.
2. Unexplained and Unintentional Weight Loss
What’s often normal: Losing a few pounds after intentionally changing your diet or increasing your physical activity.
When to worry: Losing 5% or more of your body weight over a period of 6 to 12 months without trying is a significant red flag. While it can be caused by many things, in the context of digestive health, it could signal a problem with nutrient absorption (malabsorption), a chronic condition like celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or, in some cases, an underlying cancer.
3. Significant Changes in Bowel Habits
What’s often normal: Minor, short-term changes in your routine, like becoming constipated while traveling or having diarrhea after eating something that didn’t agree with you.
When to worry: A persistent change that lasts for several weeks is one of the key senior symptoms to discuss with a doctor. This includes new, ongoing constipation, diarrhea that doesn’t resolve, or alternating between the two. A change in the shape of your stool (such as becoming very thin or pencil-like) or a feeling that your bowel doesn’t empty completely can be a warning sign for colorectal polyps or cancer.
4. Blood in Your Stool or Vomit
What’s often normal: A small amount of bright red blood on the toilet paper can sometimes be from a minor issue like a hemorrhoid or a small tear (fissure).
When to worry: You should always report any blood to your doctor. Bright red blood in the stool indicates bleeding in the lower part of the colon. Dark, tarry, or black stools suggest bleeding higher up in the digestive tract, like from a stomach ulcer. Vomiting blood, which may look like fresh red blood or dark “coffee grounds,” is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.
5. Difficulty or Painful Swallowing (Dysphagia)
What’s often normal: A feeling of food getting “stuck” for a moment if you eat too quickly or don’t chew properly.
When to worry: If you consistently have trouble swallowing, feel pain when you swallow, or find yourself choking or coughing frequently during meals, it’s time to see a doctor. Dysphagia can be a symptom of a stroke, GERD, or a problem with the esophagus itself, including narrowing (a stricture) or, less commonly, cancer.
6. Severe, Sudden, and Focused Stomach Pain
What’s often normal: General cramps from gas or mild, widespread abdominal discomfort that passes quickly.
When to worry: Sudden, severe stomach pain, especially if it’s concentrated in a specific area, requires urgent medical evaluation. Pain in the lower right abdomen could be appendicitis. Severe pain in the upper right abdomen, especially after a fatty meal, might point to a gallbladder attack. A sharp, radiating pain in your upper abdomen and back could be pancreatitis. This isn’t something to “wait out.”
7. Persistent Nausea or Vomiting
What’s often normal: A brief bout of nausea or vomiting due to a stomach bug (viral gastroenteritis) or food poisoning that resolves within a day or two.
When to worry: Nausea or vomiting that lasts for several days can lead to dehydration, which is particularly risky for older adults. It could be a sign of a serious infection, a medication side effect, a blockage in your intestines, or a number of other conditions. If you can’t keep liquids down, it’s crucial to seek medical care.
8. Feeling Full After Eating Very Little
What’s often normal: Your appetite naturally decreases a bit with age.
When to worry: If you consistently feel full after eating just a few bites of food—a condition called early satiety—it’s worth investigating. This can be a symptom of GERD or peptic ulcers. It can also be a sign of a condition called gastroparesis, where the stomach empties too slowly, which is more common in people with diabetes. In some cases, it can be a symptom of stomach or pancreatic cancer.
9. Bloating That Doesn’t Go Away
What’s often normal: Temporary bloating and gas after eating high-fiber foods like beans or broccoli.
When to worry: If you experience bloating that is persistent, severe, and accompanied by other symptoms like abdominal pain, weight loss, or changes in bowel habits. For women, persistent bloating can be a key sign of ovarian cancer. It can also indicate a buildup of fluid in the abdomen (ascites), which is often related to liver disease. This is a crucial question to ask yourself: when to worry about stomach issues after 60? Persistent bloating is a clear answer.
10. Yellowing of the Skin or Eyes (Jaundice)
What’s often normal: There is no “normal” reason for an adult to develop jaundice.
When to worry: Jaundice is a clear and serious sign that something is wrong with your liver, gallbladder, or pancreas. It is caused by a buildup of bilirubin, a yellow substance in your blood. It can be a symptom of gallstones, hepatitis, cirrhosis, or cancer of the liver or pancreas. If you or a loved one notices any yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, see a doctor immediately.
