Stomach and gut issues are notorious in the medical profession for being some of the most difficult to diagnose and subsequently treat.
After endless assessments - including family history, allergy tests, intolerance investigations, diets, bowel and intestine checks, chronic condition risk evaluations - patients can be waiting years to learn why they might be suffering some discomfort in their belly.
However, researchers have been left hugely concerned over an apparent surge in under 50s receiving cancer diagnoses, particularly when it comes to the gut.
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In fact, a study carried out by Cancer Research this year found that cancer rates have jumped by 24 percent in young people between the years of 1990s and 2019, with some of the biggest concerns being the rise in colon cancer cases.
On top of this, another study from Bowel Cancer UK discovered that the life-altering disease can be linked to negative changes in your gut microbiome.
As a result, health experts are attempting to raise awareness of the seven worrying signs that you may be suffering with an unhealthy gut, and recommend you seek immediately assessment.
Gas and bloating
In the majority of cases, bloating of the stomach is simply a result of a heavy carb-based meal, or a couple of beers with friends.
If, however, you begin experiencing more excessive bloating that unusual - either to a rounder, more pronounced or more painful extent, then this could be a sign that you have a poorly gut.
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While it may well just be that you're suffering with a bout of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), it's better to be safe than sorry, so book a visit to your GP.
A change in toilet habits
While it's nigh impossible for any two people to have the exact same bowel movements, if you yourself notice something isn't quite right when you use the loo - or something seems to be different to usual - then this might be cause for concern.
Yes, it's true that the likes of constipation or diarrhoea can be caused by factors such as diet and lifestyle, if you can't quite put a finger on why your bowel movements feel different over a prolonged period of time, it's best to get checked out.
Fatigue
What many don't realise is that fatigue is immensely different from just general tiredness.
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While an early start, late night, busy day at work or lots of exercise might contribute to the feeling of exhaustion, fatigue is much more hard-hitting, as well as long term.
If you've been out of sorts for a few days and everyday habits are feeling like dreaded efforts, this could be cause for concern, especially as there is a link between the gut and the brain.
Low mood
Much like in the case of fatigue, if you start noticing your mood has taken a beating recently, or you simply find a balance in how you feel, this could be due to the fact that your unhealthy digestive system has triggered depression.
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Research conducted by Harvard University previously found that gastrointestinal tract has long been sensitive to our emotions, so keeping an eye on your mental state is essential for your gut health.
Brittle, hair, skin and nails
If you notice that your hair is feeling dryer than usual, your skin is flaking or breaking, or your nails have become brittle, this could also be an indicator that your gut is suffering.
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That's because these three organs are supported by the nutrients we absorb from our food.
Broken bones
In the same way, gut problems can also cause to issues surrounding your bones, being that an imbalanced diet can mean your body struggles to absorb the adequate amount of calcium needed, making them more likely to break.
Becoming unwell often
While a common cold - or a bout of mild food poisoning - are immensely irritating and hugely inconvenient, in the long-run of most cases, they're not something you need to worry hugely about.
If, however, you find yourself seemingly contracting infections more frequently than usual, this could be because - according to dietician Lucy Kerrison - the gut is in charge of '70 percent of your immune system'.
Concerned about your gut health?
You don't need to be experiencing any of these symptoms in order to be concerned about the status of your gut health.
But if this is something you can't help by worry about, it's always worth speaking to your doctor about ways to improve your diet, including by introducing high amounts of vegetables, plant-based products and fibre into your routine to nurture your gut microbiome.
Rhianna Benson