GENERAL HEALTH The following factors increase your risk of developing gallstones: Female gender Increasing age Obesity Family history of gallstones Medical conditions, such as diabetes and liver cirrhosis High-calorie, low-fibre diets Certain medications Pregnancy Rapid weight loss Lifestyle changes that may reduce the likelihood of developing further gallstones include regular exercise, following a low-calorie, high-fibre diet, and maintaining a healthy weight. Are gallstones painful? The majority of people with gallstones are pain-free and may only discover they have the condition incidentally through an imaging test. However, gallstones do cause pain if a stone becomes trapped within the neck of the gallbladder, the pancreas or within the biliary tree. This can create an obstruction and possibly lead to an infection. Gallstone pain is known as “biliary colic”. It’s typically experienced as a severe pain in the right upper abdomen that tends to last for hours. It may radiate into the right shoulder blade or back and can occur more frequently at night. Eating a fatty meal stimulates release of bile by the gallbladder and may also trigger the pain. The pain subsides after some time but many people feel nauseated and vomit during these episodes. If an individual suffers from one attack of biliary colic, they are at risk of experiencing further episodes. pindaramagazine.com.au Pindara Magazine 59
Pindara Private Hospital Magazine - Issue Seven
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