Gallstones form in the gallbladder and bile ducts in general. These stones can range from a few millimeters to several centimeters in diameter, and are usually asymptomatic. You can learn to diagnose gallstones by paying attention to the mild symptoms and the underlying disease. However, you should visit your doctor for an official diagnosis.
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Part 1 of 4: Recognizing the Symptoms of Gallstones
Step 1. Watch for biliary colic
This symptom is pain in the middle to the right of the abdomen. Biliary colic can sting, nausea, and vomiting.
- These symptoms can be difficult to distinguish from other gastrointestinal and abdominal pain.
- Biliary colic is often intermittent. You may only feel this kind of pain a few times each year.
Step 2. Pay attention to whether you experience abdominal pain and/or biliary colic after a large meal or a fatty meal
- If you think that you have biliary colic, then you should consult your doctor at your annual health check-up or routine health check-up.
- Gallstones can appear without causing pain for decades. In some patients, mild biliary colic without signs of infection can be ignored without medical treatment.
Step 3. Watch for severe abdominal pain that radiates to the back or shoulders
This pain is the main symptom of gallbladder inflammation, which is often caused by gallstones. This pain usually gets worse when you inhale.
Step 4. Take your body temperature
Gallbladder inflammation is a much more serious condition than biliary colic, and fever is the best way to differentiate between the two symptoms based on their severity. You should seek medical attention immediately if you are concerned about gallbladder inflammation.
- Infection occurs in about 20% of patients, with a higher risk in patients with diabetes.
- Infection can cause gangrene and gallbladder perforation.
Part 2 of 4: Knowing High Risk Groups
Step 1. Understand that women are more likely to develop gallstones than men
About 25% of women have gallstones by the time they reach 60 years of age. Estrogen can trigger the liver to secrete cholesterol, and many gallstones form from cholesterol.
Women who undergo hormone replacement therapy also have a higher risk, due to the hormone estrogen. Hormone therapy can increase your risk by two or three times
Step 2. Face a greater chance of suffering from gallstones if you are pregnant
Pregnant women are also more likely to experience the symptoms mentioned above, than women who are not pregnant.
- Seek a doctor's opinion immediately if you suspect biliary colic or gallbladder inflammation.
- Gallstones may go away after pregnancy without surgery or treatment.
Step 3. Watch for genetic markers
North American and Latin American ancestry is a high risk group for gallstones. Some Native American ancestry, particularly the tribes in Peru and Chile, are at high risk for gallstones.
Having a family member with gallstones can indicate that you are at a higher risk. However, research does not yet have strong evidence of this risk factor
Step 4. Recognize that people with diabetes are at very high risk for developing gallstones and gallbladder disease without stones
This is most likely caused by weight and obesity.
Step 5. Take control of your eating habits
Obesity and repeated diet failure are known to increase the risk of gallstones by 12 to 30 percent.
- In people who are obese, the liver produces more cholesterol. Nearly 20% of gallstones are formed from cholesterol.
- Frequent weight gain and loss can lead to gallstones. People who have had bariatric surgery, and those who have lost more than 24% of their body weight make up 1/3 of the diagnosed gallstones.
Step 6. Consult a doctor if you have Crohn's disease, cirrhosis, or a blood disorder. Organ transplants and prolonged intravenous infusion of food intake can also cause gallstones
Part 3 of 4: Diagnosing Gallstones Medically
Step 1. Consult a doctor if you feel you are at high risk of developing gallstones, or are showing some of the symptoms of this disease
Step 2. Perform an abdominal ultrasound examination
The sound waves will produce images of the soft tissues in your abdomen. A trained ultrasound technician can find gallstones in the bladder or bile ducts.
Step 3. Schedule a computerized tomography (CT) scan. If your doctor still needs other images of the area, or if the ultrasound images don't give clear results, a CT scan may be needed. You have to get into the machine and stay still while the scanner takes pictures of your abdomen.
In some cases, doctors may prefer an examination with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine over a CT scan
Step 4. Get a blood test, if you think you have a stomach infection
This test usually includes a complete blood count. Blood tests can determine if an infection in the gallbladder requires surgery.
Step 5. Perform an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopacreatography (ERCP) examination, if your doctor recommends it
If the doctor finds gallstones during this invasive procedure, they can be removed.
Step 6. Check for gallstones with liver function tests
If your doctor recommends tests for liver disease or cirrhosis, these tests can also check for gallbladder problems.
Part 4 of 4: Preventing Gallstones
Step 1. Reduce your intake of animal fat
Butter, meat, and cheese are foods that increase cholesterol and cause gallstones.
Step 2. Switch to mono saturated fat
These fats can increase your good cholesterol levels, which in turn lowers the risk of gallstones. Switch to olive, avocado, and canoli oil instead of butter.
Step 3. Eat 20 to 35 grams of fiber daily
Fiber intake can reduce the risk of gallstones.
Step 4. Choose your carbohydrates carefully
Sugar, pasta, and bread can cause gallstones. Eat whole grains, fruits, and vegetables to lower your risk of gallstones and gallbladder removal.
