Some digestive symptoms can't wait. These are warning signs that need prompt evaluation — most have treatable causes, but a few are time-sensitive. If you're unsure how urgent your symptom is, call us; we'll guide you.
Each card explains what the symptom might mean and how quickly to act. When in doubt, call — that's what the emergency line is for.
A sign of bleeding in the upper digestive tract — usually from a peptic ulcer, varices in cirrhosis, or rarely a tumour. Needs urgent endoscopy to find and stop the source.
Call us immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.
Especially with vomiting, fever, or a rigid abdomen — can indicate pancreatitis, a perforated ulcer, bowel obstruction, or a stuck gallstone. Time-sensitive in all of these.
Get to us or the nearest emergency room without delay.
Coins, pins, magnets, batteries, fish bones — most can be removed endoscopically without surgery. Button batteries are an emergency: they can cause caustic injury to the food pipe within hours.
Come straight to the hospital — we offer 24×7 endoscopic removal.
Especially with abdominal pain, inability to keep fluids down, or signs of dehydration. Can signal obstruction, severe pancreatitis, or other problems needing prompt care.
See us the same day, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Always abnormal in adults. Causes range from a bile-duct stone or viral hepatitis (often treatable) to less common but serious causes. Quick assessment makes a meaningful difference.
Get evaluated within a day or two of noticing the yellowing.
Food sticking, painful swallowing, or food coming back up — needs prompt endoscopy to rule out a narrowing or growth in the food pipe. Particularly urgent if symptoms are progressive over weeks.
Book to see us within a day or two.
Losing 5% or more body weight unintentionally — alongside changing bowel habits, persistent pain, anaemia, or loss of appetite — warrants a structured evaluation. Often the cause is treatable when found early.
Book a consultation this week.
In a patient with known cirrhosis, new confusion, disturbed sleep, or hand tremor can mean hepatic encephalopathy — treatable but needs prompt assessment and adjustment of medication.
Bring them in the same day, or call us first if unsure.
Quick answers to help you decide how urgent your symptoms are and when to come in.
You don't need to be certain a symptom is "urgent enough." A short call helps us triage you to the right care — same-day OPD, an urgent endoscopy slot, or simply reassurance that it can wait.
