Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
Gallstones
GALLBLADDER STONES
Gallstones are small stones in the gallbladder which can block a duct inside it, causing a sudden, sharp abdominal pain
[No text in field]
What are gallstones?
Sometimes gallstones (small stones of cholesterol) develop in the gallbladder or nearby bile duct. The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ beneath your liver. It stores bile, which helps your body digest fat.
When this happens, most people have no symptoms but it can lead to biliary colic or other symptoms like pancreatitis and jaundice. Gallstones causing symptoms are usually treated with surgery.
Need to know
Most gallstones are made up of cholesterol but can also form from bile or calcium. They're more common the older you get and affect women more than men. Pregnancy, obesity and rapid weight loss are also risk factors. Possible symptoms of gallstones are:
- biliary colic (severe abdominal pain), caused by your gallbladder squeezing to dislodge a stone
- cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder), caused by infection and can lead to pain and fever
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes; darkening of urine)
- acute pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
Other complications include severe infection of the bile duct and bowel obstruction.
Your consultant may carry out the Murphy's sign test. Their hand or fingers are placed on the upper right area of your abdomen and you'll be asked to breathe in. If this hurts, it usually means your gallbladder is inflamed.
Blood tests can detect infection, or that your liver may not be working normally ‒ a sign that gallstones have moved into your bile duct.
An ultrasound is the most effective at diagnosing gallstones. Gallstones can also show in routine X-rays, and MRI or CT scans. A type of MRI called MRCP is used to look at the bile ducts to see if the gallstones have moved into your bile duct.
A HIDA scan can be used to look at the function of the gallbladder and bile ducts
Usually, gallstones require treatment only if they've led to symptoms. If your consultant thinks treatment is necessary, they'll discuss your options with you. These may include:
- Medicines. Ursodeoxycholic acid may be prescribed to dissolve smaller stones.
- Laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A key-hole surgical procedure to remove your gallbladder. If a stone has moved from your gallbladder to your bile duct, another procedure may be necessary.
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP). A procedure that can be used to remove gallstones from the bile duct.
- A healthy, balanced diet. If surgery isn't recommended or you want to avoid it.
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.