Feeling overly full, like a stuffed turkey at Christmas, has now become a tradition for many people during the holidays.
But for some, stomach problems may not simply be a result of overeating.
The cause, experts warn, could be a cancer that kills almost 17,000 Britons each year — and is rising sharply in people under the age of 50.
According to the latest international data, the rise in bowel cancer cases in Britain is happening more dramatically than in most other Western countries, including the US.
Now, a health expert has warned of five warning signs that could appear during Christmas dinner, suggesting more serious gut health problems.
The most striking symptom is the feeling of being full more quickly than usual.
Kiran Jones, a clinical pharmacist at Oxford Online Pharmacy, warns of a feeling of painful fullness that "doesn't go away after digestion or that wakes you up at night."
This could be a sign of a blockage or tumor in the intestine.
“A persistent feeling of fullness can occur if there is a blockage or tumor in the intestine,” he said. “If it lasts more than a few days, it could indicate intestinal problems or, worse, colon cancer,” he reports. GazetaExpress study.
Other symptoms include:
Constant and unexplained fatigue
"At Christmas it's normal to feel tired after preparing dinner or entertaining family," said Mr Jones.
But if you're having trouble staying awake or experiencing constant fatigue that doesn't go away with rest, this could be a serious sign.
Colon cancer can cause anemia due to blood loss in the intestines, reducing the number of red blood cells and leading to extreme fatigue.
Blood in stool
bloodshed — whether bright red or darker — is one of the most well-known symptoms of this type of cancer.
"Although hemorrhoids or small strains from straining can be the cause, persistent bleeding is a major warning sign. Don't ignore this symptom over Christmas by justifying it with heavy meals or alcohol," warns Jones.
Changes in bowel habits
Overeating can cause more frequent bathroom visits, but persistent changes can be a worrying sign.
"Pay attention to changes such as persistent diarrhea, constipation, or an urgent need to go to the bathroom. If symptoms persist long after the holidays, it's time to seek medical advice," says Jones.
Abdominal pain or prolonged bloating
Persistent stomach pain, a feeling of bloating, or a pain that worsens after eating may indicate a tumor in the intestine.
Advice
According to NHS and health authority guidelines, anyone experiencing these symptoms for three weeks or more should speak to their GP.
Bowel cancer is the third most common type of cancer in the UK, with more than 44,000 new cases each year and 142,000 cases in the US.
The rise in cases among young people has remained a mystery to doctors around the world, but experts suggest that over half of cases are preventable by avoiding known risk factors.
The main risk factors include:
Lack of fiber in the diet, which accounts for one in four preventable cases.
Consumption of processed meat, such as sausages or bacon.
Excess weight, with one in ten cases caused by obesity.
Alcohol and tobacco, which significantly increase the risk.
Studies suggest that eating more than 50g of processed meat a day can increase the risk of bowel cancer by 18%.
Also, just one glass of weak beer (about two units) a day can increase the risk by 4%, while higher alcohol consumption worsens it.
Other symptoms include:
Sudden weight loss.
Pain or lumps in the abdomen.
Constant bloating and fatigue.
For any symptoms that last more than three weeks, it is essential to have a medical check-up to detect the disease in its early stages. /Express newspaper/
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