How to Diagnose Gallstones

Gallstones occur in gallbladder and the common bile duct. These stones can be several mm to several cm in diameter, and they usually do not cause symptoms.^[1] You can learn to diagnose gallstones by paying attention to subtle symptoms and diseases that can cause gallstones. However, you should consult a doctor for an official diagnosis.

EditSteps

EditRecognizing Gallstone Symptoms

Note of if you experience biliary colic. This is a pain in the mid to right upper abdomen area. There may be a gnawing pain, nausea and vomiting.
- This symptom can be easy to confuse with other digestive or abdominal pains.
- Biliary colic often occurs and then goes away. You may only feel this pain several times per year.

Pay attention to whether you have abdominal pains and/or biliary colic after eating large or fatty meals.
- If you think you suffer from biliary colic, you should consult your doctor at a yearly checkup or regular medical appointment.
- Gallstones can exist without ill effects for decades. In some patients, minor biliary colic, without signs of infection, can be tolerated without medical intervention.

Look out for severe abdominal pain that spreads into the back or shoulders. This is the main symptom of gallbladder inflammation, which is often caused by gallstones. The pain usually worsens when drawing a breath.

Test for fever. Gallbladder inflammation is much more serious than biliary colic, and fever is the best way to distinguish the 2 symptoms, based on their severity. You should seek medical attention right away if you fear you have gallbladder inflammation.
- Infection develops in about 20 percent of patients, with a higher rate for diabetes patients.
- Infection can lead to gangrene and perforation of the gallbladder. ^[2]

EditLearning High-Risk Groups

Understand that females are much more likely to develop gallstones than men. 25 percent of women will have a gallstone by the time they turn 60. Estrogen stimulates the liver to remove cholesterol, and many gallstones are made from cholesterol. ^[3]
- Women who take hormone replacement therapy pills experience an increase in risk, caused by estrogen hormones. It can double or triple your risk of gallstones.

Expect increased likelihood of gallstones if you are pregnant. Pregnant women are also more likely to develop symptoms, like those listed above, than women who aren’t pregnant.
- Seek a doctor’s opinion immediately if you suspect biliary colic or gallbladder inflammation.
- Gallstones may disappear after the pregnancy without surgery or medicine.

Pay attention to genetic markers. Northern Europeans and Hispanics are high-risk groups for gallstones. Some Native Americans, especially tribes in Peru and Chile, have very high instances of gallstones.
- Having a family member with gallstones may indicate you have a higher risk. Studies are not yet conclusive with this risk factor.

Consider diabetes a very high risk for developing both gallstones and gallbladder disease, without stones. This is likely due to weight and obesity. ^[4]

Control your dietary habits. Obesity and frequent crash dieting have been found to increase the risk of gallstones by 12 to 30 percent.
- In obese people, the liver produces more cholesterol. Approximately 20 percent of gallstones are formed from cholesterol.
- Gaining and losing weight frequently can cause gallstones. People who have had bariatric surgery and those that have lost more than 24 percent of their body weight account for 1/3 of gallstone diagnoses.

Consult your doctor if you suffer from Crohn’s disease, cirrhosis or blood disorders. Organ transplantation and prolonged IV feeding may also lead to gallstones.

EditDiagnosing Gallstones Medically

Consult your doctor if you feel you are at high-risk for gallstones or you present several symptoms of the condition.

Undergo an abdominal ultrasound. Sonic waves produce an image of the soft tissues in your abdomen. A trained technician can find gallstones in the gallbladder or common bile duct.

Schedule a computerized tomography (CT) scan. If your doctor wants still images of the area, or the ultrasound did not produce a clear picture, a CT scan may be necessary. You will need to enter a machine and stay still while the scanner photographs the abdominal region. ^[5]
- In some cases, the doctor may prefer to use a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine, rather than a CT scanner.

Submit to a blood test, if you feel you have an abdominal infection. This is usually called a complete blood count (CBC). The blood tests can prove whether a larger infection in the gallbladder may require surgery.

Submit to an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopacreatography (ERCP), if your doctor recommends it. If the physician finds gallstones during this somewhat invasive procedure, they can be removed.

Rule out gallstones during liver function tests (LFT). If your doctor is already prescribing tests for possible liver disease or cirrhosis, they can check for gallbladder problems. ^[6]

EditPreventing Gallstones

Reduce your consumption of animal fats. Butter, meat and cheese may contribute to a diet that increases cholesterol and causes gallstones.

Prefer monosaturated fats. These fats increase your level of “good cholesterol,” which can actually reduce your risk of gallstones. Prefer olive, avocado and canola oils to butter.

Eat 20 to 35 g of fiber each day. Fiber intake can lower risk of gallstones.

Choose your carbohydrates carefully. Sugar, pasta and bread may contribute to gallstones. Eat whole grains, fruits and vegetables to lower your risk of gallstones and gallbladder removal.

EditTips

Some studies have suggested that the caffeine found in coffee stimulates gallbladder contractions and lowers cholesterol in bile.

EditWarnings

Don’t assume that abdominal pain is caused by gallstones or gallbladder disease. Other conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcerative colitis, pneumonia, appendicitis, acid reflux, urinary tract infections, diverticulitis and heart problems may mimic these symptoms. Seek medical attention if you suffer from severe abdominal pain. ^[7]