Gallstones are small, hard deposits that form in your gallbladder, which is a small organ on the right side of your abdomen. Think of your gallbladder as a little storage pouch for bile, a digestive fluid made by your liver. Gallstones can be as tiny as a grain of sand or as big as a golf ball.

These stones form when there's too much cholesterol, bile salts, or bilirubin in the bile. When this happens, the excess material hardens into stones.

Most people with gallstones don’t even know they have them because they don’t always cause symptoms. But if a gallstone gets stuck in one of the bile ducts, it can cause sudden, severe pain in the upper right part of your abdomen. This pain is known as biliary colic. If the blockage isn't treated, it can lead to serious problems like infections or inflammation of the gallbladder.

• Age: As you get older, your risk of developing gallstones goes up. Men are more likely to get them after age 60, while women are more prone between the ages of 20 and 50.
• Gender: Women have a higher risk of gallstones than men because of their naturally higher estrogen levels. Estrogen increases cholesterol in bile, and another hormone, progesterone, can slow down the gallbladder's emptying process.
• Weight: Carrying extra weight is a major risk factor. Body fat releases estrogen, which increases cholesterol levels in bile. Rapid weight loss can also trigger gallstones because it dumps a lot of cholesterol into the bile all at once.
• Genetics: If gallstones run in your family, you’re more likely to get them too.

• Hormones: Hormonal changes, such as those from pregnancy, hormone replacement therapy, or birth control pills, can raise the risk of gallstones by increasing estrogen levels.
• Cholesterol-lowering drugs: While these drugs lower cholesterol in your blood, they can actually increase the cholesterol in your bile, leading to a higher risk of gallstones.
• Diabetes: People with diabetes often have high levels of fatty acids called triglycerides, which can contribute to the formation of gallstones.
• Diet and lifestyle: Eating a diet high in fat and cholesterol and low in fiber, along with a sedentary lifestyle, can increase your risk of gallstones.

Gallstones are diagnosed using a combination of tests and procedures. Here’s how doctors typically identify and confirm the presence of gallstones:

Medical history and physical exam:

• Doctors ask about your symptoms, health conditions, family history of gallstones, and dietary habits.
• During the physical exam, they check for pain in your abdomen, especially in the upper-right area, using a technique called the Murphy's sign test.

Blood tests:

• Blood tests can reveal signs of infection, jaundice, pancreatitis, or other complications caused by gallstones.

Imaging tests:

• Abdominal ultrasound: The most commonly used test to look for gallstones. It involves moving a device called a transducer back and forth across your stomach area, creating images of the gallbladder and bile ducts.
• Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS): Helps identify smaller stones that might be missed by an abdominal ultrasound. A thin, flexible tube with an ultrasound device is passed through your mouth and into your digestive tract.
• CT scan: Uses X-rays and computer technology to create images of the gallbladder and bile ducts, showing stones or complications such as infection and blockage.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Produces detailed images of the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, and pancreatic duct, identifying gallstones and any inflammation or blockage.
• Cholescintigraphy (HIDA Scan): Uses a small amount of radioactive material injected into a vein to produce pictures of the biliary tract, helping diagnose abnormal gallbladder contractions or bile duct blockages.
• Cholangiography: Involves injecting a dye that shows up on X-rays to give detailed images of the bile ducts. This can be done during surgery or using an endoscope passed through the mouth.

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP):

• Combines endoscopy and X-rays to treat problems in the bile and pancreatic ducts. A dye is used to highlight the ducts, and any gallstones found can be removed during the procedure.

There are various treatment options in Singapore for those who are suffering from gallstones. Here are some options that are provided at CRCS Clinic that might help to diagnose and treat gallstones:

• Gut Health Screening: Involves various tests to check the overall health of your digestive system. It helps identify any problems in your gut, which might cause symptoms similar to gallstones.
• Gastroscopy/OGD: Involves using a thin tube with a camera to look inside your esophagus, stomach, and the start of your small intestine. It's mainly used to find issues like ulcers or inflammation, and it can help rule out other problems that might be causing symptoms similar to those of gallstones.
• Colonoscopy: Uses a long, flexible tube with a camera to look inside your colon. It’s useful for spotting problems in your large intestine and helps ensure that your symptoms aren’t caused by something other than gallstones.

Dealing with gallstones can be challenging. At CRCS Clinic , our goal is to make your treatment as smooth and comfortable as possible. Whether you’re ready to tackle your gallstone issues head-on or need help identifying the cause of your discomfort, we’re here to create a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Schedule a consultation with us today to start your journey back to feeling your best. Let’s work together to find the right solution for you. Reach out now and take the first step towards a pain-free life with CRCS Clinic.