4 warning signs of gallstones you might be ignoring

A sharp pain in the abdomen that has you bending down in agony time after time? Yes, this repetitive feeling has a name and it's- gallstones.The tricky thing with gallstones is they aren't there in the body until they ARE, causing you mind-boggling pain and leaving your health in shambles. Most of the time, women are unable to predict them due to a lack of awareness about the symptoms which can range from mild to severe. "Gallstones are essentially calcified bile. They are much more common in women and develop when lithogenic bile, which is more prone to forming stones, creates microcrystals," said Anish Seth, MD in a conversation with Woman's World.According to the National Library of Medicine, gallstones are crystallised deposits in the gallbladder made of cholesterol, bilirubin and bile. They can range in size from a grain of sand to that of a golf ball.When they block the bile ducts, they can cause severe sudden pain in the abdomen, medically known as a gallbladder attack or biliary colic. If left untreated, they can lead to a loss of gall bladder function.Gallstones are of two main types, cholesterol stones and pigment stones. While cholesterol stones are yellow-green in colour and made of hardened cholesterol, pigment stones are dark in colour and composed of bilirubin.Gallstones affect about 10 to 15 percent of the American population and nearly a million people are diagnosed with them every year, as per the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. However, numerous studies and data from NCBI state that they are more common in women.According to the doctor, there are four main risk factors that can increase your odds of developing gallstones:Being femaleBeing fertileObesityBeing over 40Rapid weight loss is an additional risk factor (When taking GLP-1 drugs)He states that women who have been pregnant or have had multiple pregnancies are at higher risk of developing gallstones. While they do form at a younger age, the 40s are when they tend to make their presence known. Since most gallstones do not have or show any symptoms, people can go decades without being aware of their presence. Women might go for years not knowing they have gallstones unless they get an ultrasound or stomach examination for a medical reason.However, there can be some common signs to watch out for:Chronic, intermittent abdominal painNausea after meals, particularly fatty foodsPain in the middle of the belly or upper right abdomenPain in the upper back underneath the right shoulder blade, as the discomfort radiates from the abdomenMost of the time, this pain can take time to strike and improve on its own since there is only a temporary blockage in the cystic duct by the stones.There exists a more severe form of gallstones that requires urgent medical attention. Known as acute cholecystitis, this is when one or more gallstones obstruct the gallbladder and need to be removed surgically. Here, the pain is sudden and severe and gets worse progressively.Thus, look for symptoms such as:Intense abdominal painFeverChillsVomitingIn the case of severe gallstones, the doctor recommends considering an elective gallbladder removal surgery depending on how often the symptoms occur. If the frequency goes from every couple of months to once a week and the attacks become more frequent, then you can choose to have the gallbladder removed with laparoscopic surgery.Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new medication or treatment and before changing your diet or supplement regimen.