Persistent bloating, changes in bowel habits, abdominal discomfort, reflux, rectal bleeding and unexplained fatigue are symptoms many Malaysians may try to manage on their own, often dismissing them as stress, ageing, food intolerance or “gastric” problems.
But specialists at Hospital Picaso are warning that recurring digestive symptoms should not be overlooked, particularly when they persist, worsen over time or begin to affect daily life.
While many such symptoms are linked to common and manageable conditions, doctors say they can also signal more serious conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, ulcers, polyps or colorectal cancer.
The hospital shared the message during its “On the Plate, in the Gut” educational media dining event, held at The Timber Space, where a five-course dinner was used as a starting point to discuss digestive health, screening, early detection and colorectal care. Topics included daily habits, metabolism, warning signs, diagnosis, treatment options and developments in gastrointestinal care. PP Health Malaysia (PPHM) was invited to the event.
The session was led by Dato’ Dr Luqman Mazlan, Consultant General and Colorectal Surgeon at Hospital Picaso, together with specialists from the hospital’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Centre: Dr Chong Hoong Yin, Consultant General and Colorectal Surgeon; Dr Ho Shiaw Hooi, Consultant Gastroenterologist and Physician; and Dr Yeap Chee Loong, Consultant General, Upper Gastrointestinal and Obesity Surgeon.
“Digestive symptoms are often ignored because they feel familiar,” said Dato’ Dr Luqman. “Many people will live with bloating, abdominal discomfort, reflux or changes in bowel habits for weeks or months because they assume it is stress, diet or gastric. The concern is when these symptoms keep coming back, worsen over time, or appear together with unexplained weight loss, fatigue or bleeding. They may not always point to something serious, but they are signs the body is asking to be assessed. Early investigation often gives patients more options and better outcomes.”
Specialists noted that digestive symptoms can be difficult to discuss, especially when they involve bowel habits, stool changes or rectal bleeding. As a result, some patients delay seeking help or assume their symptoms are caused by haemorrhoids, indigestion, diet or temporary stress.
Hospital Picaso said Malaysians should seek medical advice if they experience:
- Persistent or recurring abdominal pain, bloating or discomfort
- A noticeable change in bowel habits, including prolonged constipation or diarrhoea
- Blood in the stool or rectal bleeding
- Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite
- Unexplained fatigue, weakness or symptoms linked to anaemia
- Difficulty swallowing, persistent reflux or symptoms that do not improve
- Symptoms that keep returning, worsen over time or disrupt daily routines
“People often think of digestive health only in relation to food, but recurring symptoms can also point to problems with digestion, absorption or bowel function,” the specialists said.
“Persistent diarrhoea, unexplained weight loss, anaemia, blood in the stool or ongoing abdominal pain should not be normalised or managed through guesswork for too long, especially when symptoms keep returning or appear together.”
The hospital said the issue remains important in Malaysia, particularly as some serious gastrointestinal conditions begin with symptoms that are easy to overlook. It cited the Department of Statistics Malaysia’s Statistics on Causes of Death, Malaysia, 2025, which reported that malignant neoplasms of digestive organs recorded the highest number of cancer deaths in Malaysia in 2024, with 5,825 deaths.
Doctors also stressed the role of screening and timely investigation in detecting digestive conditions earlier. Depending on symptoms and risk factors, tests may include blood tests, stool tests, imaging scans, colonoscopy or OGDS, also known as gastroscopy.
For colorectal health, screening is especially important because some cancers can develop from polyps over time. Detecting and removing polyps early can help reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.
“By the time symptoms become obvious, some conditions may already be more advanced,” said Dr Chong Hoong Yin. “This is why screening is so important in colorectal care. A colonoscopy can help doctors detect abnormalities early, and in some cases, remove polyps before they progress. Early detection is not just about finding disease sooner. It is about giving patients more options before treatment becomes more complex.”
Hospital Picaso’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Centre takes a multidisciplinary approach to digestive, liver and colorectal care, bringing together colorectal surgeons, gastroenterologists, upper gastrointestinal surgeons, bariatric surgeons, liver, pancreas and bile duct expertise, and oncological care.
The centre also offers advanced endoscopic and minimally invasive procedures, including robotic-assisted surgery for selected complex conditions such as Natural Orifice Specimen Extraction Surgery (NOSES) and oesophageal robotic surgery. The hospital said these techniques are intended to support greater precision, reduce complications, speed up recovery and improve patients’ quality of life where clinically appropriate.
It is also supported by AI-assisted endoscopy, which the hospital said can help doctors detect abnormalities earlier, improve diagnostic accuracy and support more informed real-time decisions.
Hospital Picaso said these capabilities reflect its broader focus on advanced surgery and integrated oncology, while reinforcing the importance of earlier conversations around symptoms, screening and timely medical care.
The post Always Feeling Bloated or Tired? Hospital Picaso Doctors Highlight Warning Signs That Need Attention first appeared on PP Health Malaysia.
