Ho notato un cambiamento nelle abitudini intestinali.

I have noticed a change in my bowel habits.

Pronunciation

a-bi-tu-DI-ni — five syllables, stress on fourth. 'Intestinali' — in-tes-ti-NA-li.

When to use it

Report changes in bowel habits to a doctor — especially persistent changes (alternating constipation and diarrhoea, blood in stool, mucus) which can indicate colorectal cancer.

What it means

'Abitudini intestinali' = bowel habits (formal). More commonly: 'come va il suo intestino?' (how is your bowel?). 'Stitichezza' = constipation, 'diarrea' = diarrhoea, 'sangue nelle feci' = blood in stool. Changes lasting more than 3-4 weeks, especially with blood or unexplained weight loss, require colonoscopy investigation.

Variations

Ho sangue nelle feci.

I have blood in my stool.

Always requires medical investigation — causes range from haemorrhoids to colorectal cancer

Sono stitico da tre settimane. Per me è insolito.

I have been constipated for three weeks. That is unusual for me.

New-onset constipation in adults over 50 — warrants colonoscopy screening

Ho alternanza di diarrea e stitichezza.

I have alternating diarrhoea and constipation.

Alternating habit — classic IBS symptom but also can signal colorectal cancer

Mini Dialogue

— Ho notato un cambiamento nelle abitudini intestinali da un mese. — In che senso? — Alterno diarrea e stitichezza. E ho visto del sangue una volta. — Quanti anni ha? — Cinquantadue. — Data l'età e i sintomi, le prescrivo subito una colonscopia. Meglio non aspettare. — Grazie per la rapidità.

— I have noticed a change in my bowel habits for a month. — In what way? — I alternate between diarrhoea and constipation. And I saw blood once. — How old are you? — Fifty-two. — Given your age and symptoms, I will immediately prescribe a colonoscopy. Better not to wait. — Thank you for the speed.

Cultural Note

Colorectal cancer ('tumore del colon-retto') is the second most common cancer in Italy. The SSN offers free colorectal cancer screening ('screening per il cancro del colon-retto') to all adults aged 50-74: a biennial 'test del sangue occulto nelle feci' (faecal occult blood test). Positive tests trigger colonoscopy. Italy's colorectal cancer survival rates have improved significantly due to screening programmes. The AIRC (Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro) funds related research.

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Ho perso molto peso senza volere.

Ho difficoltà a urinare.

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