Understanding Gallstones: A Condition Middle-Aged Adults Should Watch For

Many people have previously overlooked gallstone disease until well-known host Khun Kanchai Kamnerdploy became ill and required emergency surgery due to the condition. This led to public interest in what causes the disease, its symptoms, and who should be cautious.

What are gallstones?

Gallstones are lumps formed from the crystallization of substances including calcium salts, cholesterol, and bilirubin within bile. The gallbladder stores bile produced by the liver to help digest fats. If gallstones grow large or numerous enough to block bile ducts, inflammation can occur, caused by:

• Excessively high cholesterol levels in bile.
• Regular consumption of high-fat foods, such as grilled or roasted dishes.
• Women taking contraceptives or who are pregnant, due to hormonal changes.
• Women over 40 years old have a higher risk than men.
• People aged 60 and older.
• Patients with blood disorders, such as thalassemia.
• Rapid weight loss.
• Genetic factors.
• Certain cholesterol-lowering medications, which while reducing cholesterol in the body, may increase cholesterol in the gallbladder.
• Diabetics with very high blood triglyceride and sugar levels may have reduced gallbladder contractions, causing bile to stagnate and begin crystallizing into stones.

Symptoms of gallstone disease

Typical symptoms of gallstone disease include:

• Digestive issues such as bloating, excessive gas, heartburn, and indigestion.
• Pain and tightness in the upper middle abdomen that may radiate to the right shoulder blade, usually lasting 1-2 hours and then subsiding.
• Nausea and vomiting may also occur.
• As gallstones accumulate, symptoms become persistent and more severe, with risk of stones obstructing bile ducts or causing acute gallbladder inflammation, which can be life-threatening.

Additional symptoms to watch for include:

• Abdominal pain and tightness as described, but lasting longer than 4–6 hours.
• Severe abdominal pain with intense cramps under the ribs or upper right abdomen, making movement difficult due to pain.
• Jaundice, with yellowing of the skin and eyes.
• Fever and chills may accompany the above symptoms if the gallbladder is inflamed.

Can gallstones be treated?

Gallstones may not require treatment if the patient is asymptomatic, depending on a doctor's diagnosis. Currently, the main treatment is laparoscopic gallbladder removal, which has a quick recovery time.

How to prevent gallstones

• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Avoid high-fat foods.
• Eat meals regularly at set times.
• Exercise consistently.

Though gallstone disease may seem minor, if left untreated it can develop into a serious problem without warning. If you experience unusual symptoms after eating, such as tightness under the right ribs, promptly consult a doctor and have regular health checkups to ensure long-term wellbeing.

Sources: World Medical Hospital, Vimut Hospital