Demystifying Gall Bladder Disease

Small Organ, Big Trouble: Gallbladder Disease

The gallbladder, a small, pear-shaped organ nestled beneath the liver—serves as a reservoir for bile, concentrating and releasing it to aid in fat digestion. While not essential for survival, its dysfunction can lead to significant health issues, including gallstones, inflammation, and biliary obstruction.

What Is Gallbladder Disease?

Gallbladder disease includes any condition that affects your gallbladder. Most problems come from gallstones, but not always.

Here are the usual suspects:

1. Gallstones (Cholelithiasis)

Tiny, rock-like deposits (usually cholesterol) that form inside your gallbladder.They can block bile flow and cause pain, or sit there silently for years.

The common types are: Cholesterol stones ( mainly composed of cholesterol), Black Pigment stones ( mainly bilirubin) and brown pigment stones ( commonly seen in Asia)

Fact: Gallstones are the most common gallbladder issue.

2. Cholecystitis

This means your gallbladder is inflamed—usually because a stone is stuck.

·       Acute: Sudden pain, fever, nausea.

·       Chronic: Repeated flare-ups over time.

Needs medical attention—can lead to serious infection if ignored.

3. Choledocholithiasis

When a stone drops into bile duct and blocks it and impairs the flow of bile !Leads to yellowing of the eyes (jaundice), infection, or even pancreatitis.

4. Polyps & Cancer

·       Polyps are small growths. Most are harmless if under 1 cm.

·       Bigger ones or suspicious findings may need surgery.

·       Gallbladder cancer is rare but serious—needs a full work-up and multidisciplinary treatment plan.

Catching it early makes all the difference.

Symptoms of Gallbladder Disease

Gallbladder disease doesn’t always announce itself right away—many people have no symptoms at first. But when symptoms do appear, they can include:

• Pain in the upper right abdomen, especially after eating fatty meals

• Nausea and vomiting

• Bloating, indigestion, or excess gas

• Fever or chills, which may indicate infection

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), if a bile duct is blocked

Some people may have “silent” gallstones—discovered only during scans for other reasons.

One of the most telltale signs is a gallbladder attack: sudden, intense pain that starts in the upper right abdomen and can radiate to the right shoulder or back. It may last from 15 minutes to several hours, often triggered by a rich or fatty meal.

Don’t ignore recurring discomfort, what seems like indigestion could be your gallbladder trying to tell you something.

Prevalence in Asia and Singapore

·       Asia: Gallstone prevalence in Asian countries varies widely, ranging from 3% to 10%. For instance, studies have reported prevalence rates of 3.2% in Korea and 5.6% in Japan. 

·       Singapore: While comprehensive national data is limited, estimates suggest that gallstones affect approximately 10–20% of the adult population in Singapore. 

High-Risk Profiles

·       Female/ Pregnancy / Hormones  Estrogen slows bile flow and increases cholesterol—double trouble. Estrogen from pregnancy or HRT adds fuel to the fire.

·       Crash Diets: Rapid weight loss thickens bile and boosts stone formation.

·       Obesity: More body fat = more cholesterol dumped into bile.

·       Family History: Gallstones often run in the family.

·       Older Age: Risk climbs steadily after 40.

·       Diabetes: Insulin resistance alters bile composition.

·       Liver Damage (Cirrhosis): Poor gallbladder squeeze → sluggish bile flow.

Less Common but Real

·       Cholesterol-lowering drugs (e.g. clofibrate)

·       Sedentary lifestyle

·       Crohn’s disease or gut surgery

·       Hemolysis (fast red cell breakdown)

Why Me? I Don’t Have Any Risk Factors!

You're not alone, up to 40% of gallstones occur in people without obvious risks. Gallstone formation is often silent and driven by a mix of genetics, subtle hormonal changes, how your bile is made, and how well your gallbladder empties. Even your gut bacteria and mild metabolic imbalances can play a hidden role.

Clinical Implications

Most gallstones don’t cause symptoms and may go unnoticed for years. But when they do act up, the results can be serious, causing gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis), blockage of bile flow (biliary obstruction), or even acute pancreatitis.

The key? Don’t wait for a crisis. If you’ve had digestive discomfort, upper abdominal pain, or unexplained nausea, especially after fatty meals, talk to your doctor. A simple scan could reveal a hidden problem before it becomes an emergency.

Early detection and timely advice can prevent hospital admissions, infections, and long-term damage.

How Gallbladder Disease is Diagnosed

Doctors use several tests to check for gallbladder problems, including:

• Ultrasound – The most common imaging test to detect gallstones.

• CT scan or MRI – To get a clearer view of the gallbladder and bile ducts.

• HIDA scan – To check how well the gallbladder is working.

• Blood tests – To check for infection or liver problems.

If you have ongoing symptoms, visit a gallbladder specialist in Singapore to find the exact cause and plan your treatment.

Treatment for Gallbladder Disease

Treatment depends on the type and severity of the condition.

1. Lifestyle and Diet Changes:

For mild or non-complicated gallbladder issues (like biliary sludge or functional pain), dietary changes can help:

• Eat smaller, low-fat meals

• Avoid fried and fatty foods

• Stay hydrated and maintain a healthy weight

These measures help manage symptoms but do not remove or dissolve gallstones.

2. Medications:

Certain drugs (like ursodeoxycholic acid) can dissolve cholesterol-based gallstones. However, they work slowly, may take months or years, and are only effective for small, non-calcified stones. And recurrence is high after stopping medication best suited for patients who are not fit for surgery.

3. Surgery (Cholecystectomy):

Removal of the gallbladder is the definitive treatment for symptomatic gallstones and chronic cholecystitis.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the gold standard: minimally invasive, faster recovery, and shorter hospital stay.

Open surgery may rarely  be needed in complex or emergency cases.

Life goes on without a gallbladder—bile flows directly from the liver to the intestine.

4. Emergency Treatment:

In cases of infection, abscess, or obstruction, urgent care is needed. This may involve:

• Emergency surgery

• Percutaneous drainage (placing a tube to drain infected bile)

• Endoscopic procedures (ERCP) for stone removal in the bile ducts

Don’t delay if there’s severe pain, fever, or jaundice—these can signal serious complications.

If you're considering surgery, it's important to find a gallbladder surgeon near you or consult the best hospital in Singapore for gallbladder treatment.

When to See a Doctor

If you’ve had digestive discomfort, upper abdominal pain, or unexplained nausea, especially after fatty meals, talk to your doctor. Don’t ignore signs like severe pain, fever, or yellowing of the eyes. These could mean a gallbladder attack or infection that needs urgent care. Early diagnosis and gallbladder treatment can prevent long-term complications.

Final Note From ALPS Clinic 

Gallbladder disease can range from mild to serious, but with early detection and proper treatment, most people recover fully. If you're dealing with gallbladder problems, don’t wait. Early care can prevent complications and ease your discomfort.

Looking for expert care? Book an appointment with a gallbladder specialist in Singapore at ALPS Clinic.