📌 Looking to get into a new diet or need a Gastroenterologist? Visit: www.drmelona.com

Blood you dismissed. Weight dropping without explanation. Heartburn that won't quit no matter what you take.

Bowel habits that shifted weeks ago and haven't gone back. And sometimes, no symptoms at all when the risk is already growing.

In this video, I’m going to walk you through the five digestive warning signs that get people into serious trouble, and exactly what each one means for your health.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - 5 Digestive Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore
1:19 - Warning Sign 1: Blood in Stool or Rectal Bleeding
3:30 - Warning Sign 2: Unexplained Weight Loss
5:48 - Warning Sign 3: Persistent Heartburn or Difficulty Swallowing
8:02 - Warning Sign 4: Persistent Changes in Bowel Habits
10:37 - Warning Sign 5: No Symptoms and Overdue for Colonoscopy Screening
11:41 - A Patient Who Waited: The Real Cost of Skipping a Colonoscopy
13:15 - What to Do Tonight If You Are Overdue for Screening


❓ QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Q: Is blood in stool always a sign of cancer?

A: No. Hemorrhoids are the most common cause of rectal bleeding and will look identical to bleeding from a polyp or colorectal cancer. You cannot self-diagnose based on appearance, color, or amount. A proper evaluation by a gastroenterologist is the only way to confirm the source and rule out something more serious.


Q: When should changes in bowel habits prompt a doctor visit?

A: If your bowel habits have been consistently different from your baseline, including looser stools, new constipation, or alternating between the two, for more than 3 to 4 weeks without a clear cause, it warrants a medical evaluation.


Q: At what age should you get a colonoscopy?

A: Current guidelines recommend colorectal cancer screening starting at age 45 for average-risk individuals. If a parent, sibling, or first-degree relative has had colon cancer or polyps, you likely need to begin screening earlier.


📱 RESOURCES
Website: www.drmelona.com
Books By Dr Mel Ona: https://drmelona.com/media/
Patient Resources: https://drmelona.com/patient-portal/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmelonagi

Unsedated Colonoscopy Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Vz1lXF0rmo

🔔 Subscribe for evidence-based digestive health, nutrition science, and disease prevention from a board-certified gastroenterologist.


ABOUT DR. MEL ONA:

I'm Dr. Mel Ona, a board-certified gastroenterologist with graduate training in nutritional biochemistry and metabolism. I founded Ohana Gastroenterology and have treated over 10,000 patients across nine years of clinical practice. My focus is evidence-based digestive health, nutrition science, and disease prevention.


#DigestiveHealth #GutHealth #ColonCancerPrevention #Gastroenterologist #ColonoscopyScreening