We asked Dr Mark L Wilkinson, consultant gastroenterologist and hepatologist at Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, what he would want to know if he had gallstones.
Could something other than gallstones be causing my abdominal pain?
Get a confirmed diagnosis. Most people who have gallstones are completely unaware that they have them. They usually only discover them when they have tests for another unrelated condition or if they seek help for abdominal pain. A number of conditions can cause this kind of pain, so it's important to have tests and get a confirmed diagnosis to rule out other health complications.
Is there anything I can do to treat the condition myself?
There is little ‘DIY’ treatment of value for gallstones. Some people report that cutting down the fat intake in their diet eases their symptoms. However, there is little scientific evidence to support this theory.
Is surgery or other treatment necessary?
Most people don’t need treatment because they can live safely and happily with gallstones. Gallstones only need treatment if they cause symptoms. Gallbladder removal (laparoscopic cholecystectomy) is the most effective treatment for gallstones. It's a commonly practised procedure and puts an end to pain and problems in about 95% of patients. In the remaining 5% of people who still have symptoms after they have had their gallbladder removed, it is likely that the cause of their initial discomfort was not their gallstones.
