As you age, your body gradually shows various warning signs over time. One common issue many elderly people experience is bloating and indigestion-like discomfort, which often occurs frequently after meals. Some people relieve this by taking antacids or herbal remedies for bloating to ease the symptoms. But did you know! These symptoms could be a warning sign that you might have gallstones.
What are the symptoms when you have gallstones?
Although 50% of people with gallstones may show no symptoms at all, in cases where initial symptoms appear, you may feel bloated like indigestion, with intermittent sharp pain under the ribs below the sternum. The pain may last for several hours before subsiding. If left untreated and worsened or infected, the pain may radiate to the right shoulder blade, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and fever. Some people may mistake these symptoms for stomach ulcers and take inappropriate medication.
Why do gallstones cause abdominal pain and tightness?
Because the gallbladder functions like a reservoir that stores bile produced by the liver to digest fats when we eat. When food reaches the stomach, the gallbladder releases concentrated bile to digest fats. An imbalance of compounds in the bile can cause cholesterol crystals and calcium deposits to form, resulting in gallstones. This disrupts the digestion and absorption of fats in the digestive system, which is why bloating and abdominal pain worsen after eating fatty foods.
Did you know! The main cause of gallstones is a habit of continuously eating high-fat foods. Therefore, if you realize you have been eating fatty foods for a long time and start experiencing frequent bloating and discomfort after meals, you should consult a doctor promptly to assess the risk and receive timely treatment.
